Four students took the stage at the Rathskeller on Friday, Jan. 25, for the spring semester’s first Student Soloist Night. With guitars in hand, each performer shared their musical stylings, making for a talent-filled night.
Friends and peers enjoyed a night filled with covers and original pieces by each of the soloists. First up was junior mechanical engineering major Brandon Schiff, starting the night off with covers from a variety of artists including Oasis, Coheed and Cambria and Barenaked Ladies.
No stranger to performing, Schiff has played at the Rat with his band four times during his time here at the College. This, however, was his first go as a solo artist. In terms of his music, Schiff hopes to eventually branch out to bigger audiences. “I hope to write a song that people besides my friends would listen to,” he said.
Following Schiff, junior political science and history double major, Katie Miller, took the stage. Also performing a combination of covers and originals, Miller provided a different style that adhered to a more peaceful sound.
Miller acquired her love for music from her father who influenced her interest in music throughout her childhood, and she has been singing at the Rat once a semester since her freshman year.
As far as a future in performing goes, however, Miller is content with where she is and acknowledges that there may not be much advancement in her music. “It’s just something I do for fun,” she said.
Wrapping up the night were Dan Gibson and Matt Layton, members of The Dundees, a band that has performed at Student Band Nights multiple times. Each band member took the time to showcase their individual talents by playing various original songs.
The two also performed a new original song together that night. In regards to his band, Gibson explained that their goal is to try to release as much music as possible and play in as many venues as they can.
Whether showcasing talent on stage or recognizing it from the audience, the Rat’s Student Soloist Night proved to be a successful start to the new semester for all who contributed.
