Local musicians Tiger Merritt and Travis Goodwin of the band Morning Teleportation partnered with local artist and WKU graduate, John Perry, on Saturday night for an acoustic performance and art show at Spencer’s Coffeehouse. 

The cross-promotional event combined fan bases and showcased Bowling Green’s underlying creative spirit. 

 Attendees received a firsthand explanation of Perry’s “Crystalline” painting series, set to deconstructed versions of Morning Teleportation songs and original ‘soundscapes’ by Merritt and Goodwin. 

 While the duo performed, Perry perused the crowd with a smile on his face and a beer in his hand. He shared the accidental inspiration for his textured art series displayed across the walls of the coffee shop. 

 “It actually came from that really cold winter we had,” Perry said. “I left some paintings in my unheated studio, and the water-based paint ended up freezing. Eventually I actually started dumping water on the pieces to push that.” 

 Morning Teleportation’s large local following brought in a unique audience for Perry. One fan, Luke Ritchie, endured a two-hour car ride in order to attend the event. 

 “Uniqueness and unpredictability, those are the two words I would describe their music with,” Ritchie said. “I came for the stripped down songs and minimal instrumentation.” 

 Some, like Bowling Green resident Devon Cuellar, were inspired by the support the two musicians and the artist extended to each other. 

 “They’re really bringing a great thing to the whole art scene here,” Cuellar said. “Just like Cage [the Elephant] does with Starry Nights, Morning Teley really brings a ton of originality to supporting other artists.” 

 Perry’s art offered Merritt and Goodwin an opportunity to escape into their music. The two sat with a guitar and keyboard, playing as much for themselves as for the audience. At one point during the set, the duo paused between songs, looked at the audience and back at each other, and laughed. 

 “How y’all doing out there?” Merritt said. 

 The exhibit was born from the three artists’ already existing friendship. The music and splashes of frozen color were nods from one type of artist to another. 

 “He’s a good buddy of ours,” Goodwin said of Perry. “He brought up the idea, and we were super into it. I support the hell out of the guy.” 

 Once the musical set ended, Perry approached the duo. Smiling, Perry hugged Goodwin and thanked him and Merritt for their performance and for helping him pursue his artistic dreams.