The sound of guitar strings reverberated through Torp Theatre at Central as American singer-songwriter Craig Finn performed on Feb. 19.  

The concert melded with a question-and-answer session, allowed those who weren’t familiar with Finn to get to know the human behind the art, while those who knew him got to dig deeper and ask how he became the artist he is today.  

A full house got to indulge in an evening of musical storytelling that detailed the American experience. 

Finn said at the event that music is an outlet that lets him transform his emotions into something that transcends spoken words. 

Josh Grden, a resident of Springfield, Massachusetts, said he traveled down to Central because Finn’s music speaks to him in a very personal way.  

 “I’ve been a fan of his for well over 20 years now and the reason being because Craig takes a deep and interesting look at the trauma and struggle of an American,” Grden said. “The real, authentic passion is comforting because I know it’s coming from his heart. For him to share his struggles going through life makes it feel as if he understands me.” 

While some in the crowd have been fans of Finn for decades, others were discovering him for the first time. Central student Nathaniel Ruiz, 18, said he has great admiration for the amount of vulnerability Finn showcased.  

“I had no clue who he was before I found out about him showing up to CCSU, but to hear him live changes my perspective of him because it takes a lot to tell people what you’ve been through,” Ruiz said. “He explained his path when he writes his songs, and he takes pride in that creative experience. He had some bad things happen in his life, but he found a way to turn his negatives into something positive.” 

Central student Emmanuel Carter, 20, said he resonates with Finn’s appreciation for the art. 

“Music is a part of life; the type of music you listen to is not only a reflection, but a representation of the person you want to be,” Carter said. “When I’m driving, I’m listening to music, when I’m walking to class I’m listening to music. Whenever I get the chance, I have an AirPod in. For him to show that the music he is creating means something more to him than just a job, makes me acknowledge his excellence.”