Photo courtesy of Rob CainWhen it comes to musicians, everyone has their own taste in music. Some have a groove that fits them and some just like to play, no strings attached. Here on campus, there are many aspiring musicians finding their groove or hitting the road solo.
Junior Quincy Adams and sophomore Rob Cain are two musicians with talents that come from both sides of this equation. Each leaning more to one side then the other, but neither in the same direction.
Currently in his early 20s, Adams has been playing the guitar for eight and a half years. “My dad was in a band and he taught me a lot. My older brother is a music teacher and I got lessons throughout high school. Now I just teach myself,” Adams said. He bounces back and forth between the acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, and an electric guitar. He is a loner when it comes to playing music but tends to jam with others, at times, when the mood is right.
“I usually just sit in to play with random people. Everyone has their own taste; I just play whatever,” Adams said. “That’s why it’s hard to play with a set person. Some people like alternative, some like metal. I sit in just to have fun.”
When it comes to furthering his career in music, Adams said if something comes his way he would approach it but he is not going to depend on something that is like a hobby to him. “It would be nice but I never thought about it as a career,” Adams said.
Rob Cain tells a different story. He jams with Adams on occasion but his biggest concern, at the moment, is his band.
A 21 year old drummer, Cain has been with his band, 7 Lies Away for 6 years. The band resides in Boston. Usually, Cain tries to make it up to practice at least once a month but recently finding time has been really hard. Side projects have been keeping him, and the rest of his band members, busy for the greater part of the school year.
“When we’re not practicing, we’re all working on our own stuff,” Cain said. He also plays the guitar and that is what he writes all of his tunes on.
“I have about 25 of my own songs (without the band) and that is what I work on a lot when I am down here,” Cain said. “I also practice my drums as often as I can.”
He hopes his future is headed in the music direction. “It has been my dream since I was about six years old. I am pretty sure, whether it be with this band or another, I will be doing something with music later in life,” Cain said.
Majoring in communications, Cain focuses a lot on video and music production. His minor is in business, which will be his back up plan if the band, or music in general, does not work out.
“We are all about having a good time and making people happy. Our music is a huge mix, I would say, including jazz, rock, and jam band influences,” Cain said.
Cain said his aspirations consist of playing music, and getting it heard by as many people as he possibly can. “The band has come a long way, thus far, and I can only imagine what the rest of this journey will have in store for us.”
He said that his band has had a lot of record deal offers, but not one that has suited them as of yet.
“Hopefully something will come along soon, like within the next year or so. That also depends on if everything stays cool with the band,” Cain said. He believes that if anything were to happen to his music career, it would be more likely to occur after he gets out of college.
In the mean time, both of these musicians are just taking life as it comes and not moving too fast, hoping that whatever comes along makes them a success.
Posted by on the web by Paul Williams
