FAIRBANKS - Peter Mulvey began his musical career playing for people that didn’t know that he even existed.

Mulvey used the streets of Dublin, and later the subways of Boston, to hone his guitar and vocal skills. His theory: if he could garner the attention of random passersby, people not expecting anything worthy of his playing, then he could only be growing as a singer-songwriter.

“It’s a very pure form of performing, a pure form of playing music for people,” he said of his street-performing roots. “Because they didn’t pay money, they don’t expect you to be good. They walk into the situation with no expectations whatsoever. The only way they will be interested is if it’s really moving. If you stop a passersby on the street, you’ve played music.”

Mulvey, who now calls Milwaukee home, brings that experience with him to the paying crowds, including two nights at the College Coffeehouse, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 1 and 2.

“I’d hope the thousands and thousands of hours of trying to play music with the kind of direct purity you’re trying to achieve for an audience that’s just passing by pays off,” he said with a laugh.

“But, I also give a ton of thought to how I can draw people in so we can have a real quality hour and half of our lives together that we’ll never get back.”

To keep the audience enraptured, Mulvey works through a diverse musical mix that includes Tin Pan Alley jazz, folk, blues and modern acoustic stylings, with a little poetry tossed in for good measure. At times his playing is reminiscent of masterpicker Leo Kottke, other times it’s more rootsy and dirt-worn like Greg Brown. There’s also some folk blues, a hint of traditional Irish music, and the jazz of Cole Porter or George Gershwin.

“I’m into that old Tin Pan Alley music. I love the way those tunes fall across the guitar,” he said.

With it all, Mulvey demonstrates exemplary, buoyant playing, crafty lyrics and cool stage wit, but he also shows a modest side to making music.

“At our best it’s what we are, high falutin' and beyond the ordinary. It’s a mix of bicycle grease and Faulkner,” he said with another laugh. “Does that make any sense?”

For Mulvey it does. His positive approach and audience-first outlook has kept him touring for almost 20 years — along with the release of more than a dozen albums in that span — and has afforded a comfortable enough living to keep on doing it. He’s not looking to play stadiums or arenas, even modestly sized theaters feel too big. He’d rather connect with his audience on a personal level than just simply perform, If everyone leaves with a warm sensation and fond memory of the night, it’s a worthwhile night.

“I prefer an audience of 50 to 250 people. That makes sense. If I can throw a tennis ball to the furthest person away from me, that’s the size room I want to play,” he said.

If you’re in the College Coffeehouse for a Mulvey gig, get ready to duck. Mulvey’s coming to play, but he might bring his ball as well — just to keep things in check.

Contact features editor Glenn BurnSilver at 459-7510.

IF YOU GO

What: Peter Mulvey with opener Anais Mitchell

When 7: 30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday

Where: College Coffeehouse

Tickets: $15 at the door

Information: www.petermulvey.com