Looking laid back in a white T-shirt, dark jeans and felt cap, Harold Crisman picks up his guitar, scans the song list one last time and launches into his night of music.

A scattering of Zola’s Café regulars and friends of the Auburn singer-songwriter tap their toes as he tears into his cover of “Angeles,” Elliot Smith’s powerful critique of Los Angeles’ non-stop money hustle. His crisp, clear tenor fills the café as whole notes, quarter notes and eighth notes spill onto the sidewalk and vanish into the warm summer evening.

For the last four months, Zola’s has made itself a spot for local musicians from jazz artists to solo acoustic acts like Crisman to offer their gifts to Auburn and for locals to enjoy it, free of charge.

All, said Zola’s owner Sonia Kessler, for the music.

“I do it because I love music. I just think it’s a nice addition to downtown Auburn, and I want to give the community the opportunity to listen to local, talented artists,” Kessler said.

Auburn senior John Hansen is a regular.

“This is exactly what the community of Auburn needs, and everybody’s dropping in,” Hansen said. “It’s a wonderful thing, because it’s a community gatherer. I always drop in, because I’m a beginner guitarist, and I don’t know what’s going to be here. Most of the time it’s guitar players and singers, and they have all done pretty darn good, way above average. Some have been professional.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard Harold play a full set, and it’s great,” said Rose Robinson, who works with Crisman at a local warehouse. “He’s influenced by Elliot Smith, one of my favorite artists. I enjoy his music very much.”

“I was very excited about coming out to see Harold. He’s very good at what he does,” said Crisman’s boss, Tim Wiggans.

Crisman, a customer service representative, moved to Auburn from Chicago a year ago, and Friday was his first show in all that time. He describes his music as indie folk rock, with influences that count Mark Hosler and Tom Waits.

“I used to play a lot of gigs in Chicago,” Crisman said. “I play bass and drums, anything I can get my hands on. Originally, I come from a musical family in the Detroit area. Grandpa played church organ his whole life and tried to teach me piano, but it didn’t go so well because I lacked patience. … One of my best friends decided he wanted to be in a rock band, do covers of other people’s music and play metal. I said, ‘We don’t have instruments,’ so he bought a drum kit, and I bought a guitar.

“I spent many years screaming my lungs out at bars and at school dances. My parents got tired of that, bought me an acoustic guitar, and the rest is history.”

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Local music

• What: Live music at Zola’s Cafe

• Where: 402 E. Main St., Suite 120

• When: Every Friday evening

• Next up: Premium Blend Jazz Band, Friday, 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 3 to 5 p.m.