Emanuel Lirag’s honest vocals have campus reeling

At 8 years old, Emanuel Lirag, a sophomore studying business administration, could be found jamming out to The Beatles on his family’s acoustic guitar. Acting as “the little trick” his parents would pull out on special occasions, Lirag’s passion for music performance is nothing short of natural. This marked the beginning of the musician’s long-lasting relationship with what can only be described as the healing power of music.

“We made music videos that I’d play for everybody,” Lirag said. “Music has always been a thing for me for a long time. When I was little people would say ‘Hey, what do you want to be when you grow up?’ and I’d say ‘I want to be a rockstar.’”

Now, Lirag treats the Wolfpack to regular performances across campus. From his steady gig at 1887 Bistro to his frequent appearances at One Earth’s open mic nights, Lirag’s smooth, acoustic sound lingers long after his performance.

Graham Schwab, a sophomore studying athletic training at Western Carolina University, first met Emanuel in their high school audio production class. The two instantly clicked musically, and formed The Motions — Emanuel’s current band, which has played across Raleigh from Kings to Lincoln Theatre to a recent rooftop show in Cameron Village. In addition to acting as the band’s talented drummer, Schwab is one of Lirag’s biggest supporters.

“Emanuel’s one of the most genuine people I know,” Schwab said. “The emotional attachment he has to his songs and the story-like quality the songs convey are attributes that aren’t highlighted in today’s popular music which makes his sound new. Personally, I think the combination of Emanuel’s song writing ability and his vulnerability really appeals to listeners.”

Although Lirag has played with The Motions since his junior year of high school, his freshman year at NC State was a pivotal one in terms of the artist’s solo career. Lirag said that his solo performances give him the chance to showcase songs he’s written himself that do not fit with the band’s style.

“I’m starting to put out my own solo EPs, and it’s nice to be able to share these songs in a more intimate acoustic setting, where it’s just me laid out and honest,” Lirag said.

Lirag’s solo career skyrocketed after being scouted at the very first open mic night, in December at One Earth Lounge, leading to his 1887 Bistro gig. Further involving himself in all NC State has to offer aspiring musicians, Lirag joined Wolfgang A Cappella last spring.

Listening to music from a young age brought about many musical influences for Lirag. Jason Mraz, The Beatles, John Mayer and McFly all proved influential in inspiring the musician’s mellow yet full-of-depth sound. Describing his sound as “singer-songwriter inspired, and very guitar based” Lirag’s seamless string of gigs has helped him craft his very own musical style.

“I’m still flushing out my own solo sound, but I guess the closest description would be John Mayer,” Lirag said. “I’m not trying to write love songs. I’m trying to write stories.”

Developing a unique style is a task that has brought Lirag out of his shell and into his own as a musician. For Lirag, the result is nothing short of empowering.

“One of the coolest changes I’ve seen in Emanuel over the past four years, aside from his tremendous guitar god-like qualities, would probably be his confidence,” Schwab said. “Over the years through song writing, gigging and other forms of musicianship, being put on the spot has allowed Emanuel to form a confidence that directly impacts the way he carries himself and communicates with others.”

Although Lirag works to provide students with the enriching gift of music, it is he himself who reaps the rewards. Coming to NC State from a magnet arts school presented a challenge of sorts for Lirag, who struggled to fit in with the bounds of math- and science-focused students. Eventually, though, Lirag found his place in the crowd — and it proves to be a meaningful one.

“I think in today’s progressing society we need STEM careers for sure, to keep everything moving and working,” Lirag said. “But I think, in a general sense, as human people the point is to connect with each other and express what we feel inside. Especially at a big school where STEM seems to be the focus, people really need those kinds of outlets to remember the main ideas of life.”