The 2015 MASH Preview
This year's headliner, alumni band the Rooks. Photo credit to Charlotte Christopher. Taken from the bands official website, therooksband.com
As the first week of classes comes to an end, it’s time to preview Wesleyan’s favorite ~indoor~ music fest featuring the loveable MRoth and some of Wes’s grooviest bands. It's happening this year Friday, 9/11 (tomorrow). For those of you not familiar with the bands playing this year’s MASH, AW checked in with a few of them to get all the dirty deets about their summers and favorite MRoth MASH moments and give you a little info about everyone playing.
We have broken down the performances by stages, which are now indoors. Some performers finally get to realize their dream of playing the first floor of Usdan, while others get to rock (sweat?) it out in the '92. Additionally, Crowell will be bumpin' from 2-7:30.
First Floor of Usdan
2:00-2:20: Gee-rre- Last minute addition, sounds edgy.
2:30-2:50: Locus (Eric Poretsky ’18)- Locus is the project of one man and his laptop. Together, they create what some people would call music, blending psychedelic textures with experimental beats, field sounds with saw waves, and pianos with lawnmowers.
https://soundcloud.com/dawn-106/q-demo
Interview with Locus:
What is one thing you want the new students on campus to know about your group?
Dance music is fun and can also be personal and emotional.
What musical projects have you or members of your group worked on this summer?
I helped produce a friend's album (SubHuman by Will Lord), scored a short film, and worked on some personal tracks.
What have you been jamming to this summer?
This is a long drive for someone with nothing to think about by modest mouse, knockin boots by julio bashmore, in colour by jamie xx.
Do you have any special plans for the fall?
Just want to write more music and hopefully play more shows here at Wesleyan.
What's your favorite past MASH performance?
I missed out last year but looking forward to seeing all the bands this year!
If your band/project/group had a mascot, what would it be?
A Panda Bear because I have one that sits on top of my right monitor.
3:00-3:20: Jal & Locus (Sahil Singhvi '18 and Eric Poretsky '18)- Jal is your grandmama's favorite rapper. His music is two parts dope, a smidgen of soul syrup, and a generous helping of conscious trap.
https://soundcloud.com/sahil-singhvi
Interview with Jal:
What is one thing you want the new students on campus to know about your group?
I'm looking to collaborate. Hit me up on Facebook (Sahil Singhvi) or Twitter (@jalthepoet).
What musical projects have you or members of your group worked on this summer?
Finishing up an as-yet-untitled album as well as cooking up a couple loosies that I'll drop in the coming weeks.
What have you been jamming to this summer?
Future's DS2, Travi$ Scott, Ben Khan, Surf by the Social Experiment, Vince Staples, GoldLink, Mick Jenkins, and a bunch of underground Chicago rappers and beatsmiths.
Do you have any special plans for the fall?
Just a lot of writing really. Trying to get this album out sooner rather than later.
What's your favorite past MASH performance?
I've never actually been...
If your band/project/group had a mascot, what would it be?
Probably a mantis shrimp, those are dope.
3:30-3:50: Mom (Sam Friedman ’18, Ben Klausner ’18, and Jonah Wolfson ’17)- Moms everywhere promise Mom is not like a regular mom, they’re a cool mom. Mom approved maybe-mom band with music some moms might even find themselves movin to.
http://momtheband.bandcamp.com/releases
Interview with Mom:
What is one thing you want the new students on campus to know about your group?
we love music and playing it and listening to it and concerts and happy people and making new friends and being true
What musical projects have you or members of your group worked on this summer?
bruno mars personal assistant
What have you been jamming to this summer?
uptown funk uptown funk uptown funk uptown funk uptown funkp upwtonn funk ptuufown fuenk
Do you have any special plans for the fall?
growing more limbs
What's your favorite past MASH performance?
the year when michael roth and mgmt did a duet
If your band/project/group had a mascot, what would it be?
a happy hippo
4:00-4:20: Quasidmodal (Ryden Nelson ’16, Tiffany Gordon ’16, Lizzy Elliot ’16, Emma Buford ’16, Jane Levy ’17, Jamie Hom ’17, Zac Kraemer, Julia Tyminski ’17, Molly Bogin ’18, Katherine Paterson ’18, Sam Friedman ’18, and Rafael Orona ’18)- Wes’s oldest co-ed a cappella group.
4:30-4:50: Sneaky Sugars (Karina Caban ’18, Max Cembalest ’18, Ryan Guarino ’18, Mira Guth ’18, and Jack Maraghy ’18)- Candy-coated indie pop rocks feat a lead female guitarist, (which makes us smile).
Patricelli '92 Theater (aka the black box theater. it's next to the chapel)
2:00-2:20: Ari & Arian- Another mysterious last minute performance. We like surprises.
2:30-2:50: Lo-Qi (Jack Graylin ’17 and Jonah Toussaint ’17)- Rap duo from Somerville and Switzerland. Here to denounce corporate oppression, systematic racism, and wack MC’s.
3:00-3:30: Kari Wild (Jules Lighter '16)- It's gonna be wild.
3:30-3:50: Sleep Kid (Rachel Fox '16, JJ Friedman '16, Leo Grossman '16 and Nick Selden '16)- After a kinda, sorta semi-hiatus with members studying across the globe, Wesleyan’s most sarcastic, maybe not sarcastic, lo-hi-post-fi magical, musical sea-punk group are back and ready to bring you some fun rock that’ll will wake you up from your drop/add daze.
https://sleepkid.bandcamp.com/releases
4:00-4:20: Sloppy Coos Canyon (Erin McGrath ’16, Nicole Roman-Johnston ’16, and Luke Macdonald ’17)- Self-described "blood rock", Sloopy Coos Canyon’s music is full of loopy sloopy guitar sounds, droney keyboards and cello screams, magical beats, and happy/sometimes sad singing from the heart. Think of good, real lemonade... sweet but like also a little sour ;).
4:30-4:50: Slavei (Arian Dehnow ’16, Nadja Shannon-Dabek ’17, Ella Caplin ’18, Cassie Wilson ’17, Torie White ’16, Susannah Greenblatt ’16, Theo Sullivan ’16, Elliot Williams ’18, and Adam Ruth ’17)-Wesleyan's oldest (and zaniest) Balkan a cappella group.
Crowell Concert Hall
2:00-2:20: Rui Barbosa (Johnnie Gillmore ’18, Adam Rochelle ’17, and Jonah Wolfson ’17)- Not to be confused with the Brazilian politician , Rui (Ruy?) Barbosa is a jamband trio that plays funk, rock, and jazz. Think really long keyboard and bass solos that will blow your mind.
Interview with Rui Barbosa:
What is one thing you want the new students on campus to know about your group?
Our music isn't really at all related to Brazil.
What musical projects have you or members of your group worked on this summer?
Johnnie and Adam are members of a jamband back in Boston called Centre St., and Jonah makes cool electronic music with his friends
What have you been jamming to this summer?
Phish and Umphrey's McGee. But you already knew that.
Do you have any special plans for the fall?
We have a super secret fun surprise. Just wait ;)
What's your favorite past MASH performance?
(Adam says) the Sky Bars set at MASH 2013 was the first Wesleyan band I ever saw and got me super pumped for the years to come!
If your band/project/group had a mascot, what would it be?
Jonah Wolfson '17
2:30-2:50: Old Soles (Mira Guth ’18 and Eva Moskowitz ’18)- Just a couple gals that love harmonies and attempt to make acoustic arrangements.
3:00-3:20: Matt Chilton '16 - Matt Chilton is a conglomeration of instruments that somehow gained sentience. He loops himself into dense textures for you to get lost in.
https://mchilton.bandcamp.com/
3:30-3:50: Veeblefetzer (Matthew Stein ’16, Angus Macdonald ’16, Sophie Breitbart ’16, Matt Chilton ’16, Josh Davidoff ’18, Ben Klausner ’18, and Becky Zegans ’18)- Wesleyan's finest Klezmer ensemble.
4:00-4:20: SAD (Chris Sailor ’16, Delilah Seligman ’16, and Becca Hanschell ’16)- They will make you cry and remind you of being 16. If you feel the feels of despair, anguish, and agony, describe your aesthetic as tear-stained face melancholy, or appreciate a good communal cry to some super rad tunes, SAD is all your little aching heart could wish for.
Interview with SAD:
What is one thing you want the new students on campus to know about your group?
our songs are known to remind you of when you were 16 and in love. come listen to us if you like to nod your head awkwardly to some rad jams. we will provide tissues for when you cry feelings of sadness and despair.
What musical projects have you or members of your group worked on this summer?
Chris is a current member of the famous Wesleyan post-rock outfit Slow Parade. Delilah is the sole member of her solo project entitled a glass box (in all lowercase letters).
What have you been jamming to this summer?
Phargo., Two Knights, Dinosaur Jr., The World Is a Beautiful Place, Tiny Moving Parts, Empire! Empire!, Mallcops, and many more
Do you have any special plans for the fall?
to be more emo
What's your favorite past MASH performance?
we were too sad to leave our rooms in prior years
If your band/project/group had a mascot, what would it be?
a group of ravens
4:30-4:50: Swipe Right- Swipe Right are indie rockers serving up groovy originals and slick covers. They also "have nothing to lose." Keep an eye out for them on Tinder.
Crowell Concert Hall (previously foss)
5:00-5:20: Smokin' Lillies (Dean Louise Brown, Professor Rob Rosenthal, Luanne Benshimol, Evan Glass, Paul Horton, and President Michael Roth)-
5:30-5:50: 5 Guys (Ethan Hill, Angus Macdonald, Nick Selden, Delaine Winn, and Leo Grossma, all class of 2016)- Five Guys is five men. Or five dudes. Five boys. Not five Guy Fieris.
6:00-6:20: Chef (Henry Kinder, Isaac Butler-Brown, Miles McLeod, Anthony Dean, Adam Rochelle, Annie Flom, Lydia Elmer, Mimi Goldstein, Willie Molski, and Max Luton, all class of 2017)- Easily the largest band on campus, Chef is Wesleyan’s tastiest 10 piece hip-hop-funk-soul-RnB-Jazz fusion ensemble. They craft a performance filled with delicious originals and covers (think Beyonce and Michael Jackson), and seasoned with energetic rap verses that is guaranteed to have you movin’ and groovin’.
https://cheftheband.bandcamp.com/releases
Interview with Chef:
What is one thing you want the new students on campus to know about your group?
We don't go to Summies (not entirely true)
What musical projects have you or members of your group worked on this summer?
Music directing Annie in Montana (not entirely false)
What have you been jamming to this summer?
Emily King, Phony Ppl, Hiatus Kaiyote's "Choose Your Weapon" and Lydia listens to One Direction
Do you have any special plans for the fall?
A bunch shows on campus (including Friday September 18th!), touring to nearby colleges, and working on an EP!
What's your favorite past MASH performance?
Smokin' Lillies and their "wardrobe malfunction" at halftime
If your band/project/group had a mascot, what would it be?
Zoboomafoo (or a popsicle)
6:30-7:30: The Rooks-
Since their time at Wes, the Rooks have spent three years grooving in NYC and the East Coast. They return to campus to headline this year's MASH, following up a lively performance at Alpha Delt last semester, and a successful summer tour and EP release. By blending indiesoul with RnB, the Rooks create a sound that is charming yet powerful, and is sure to keep you moving. Their cover of Frank Ocean's "Bad Religion" could probably break your heart and mend it in the same listen; it's easy to fall in love with their live performances.
Featuring Garth Taylor '12 on lead vocals; Spencer Hattendorf '12 on vocals, saxophone, and percussion; Nate Mondschein '12 on drums and percussion; Grahm Richman '11 on guitar; Louis Russo '11 on bass, and Gabe Gordon '11 on keyboards
http://www.therooksband.com/
