SPOTLIGHT: C4

I first saw C4, a Pentagon Community band, on a cool Thursday afternoon. The relaxed jazz sounds began playing through the courtyard. As if cued, students emerged from their halls with blankets, lawn chairs, and popcorn to sit with friends, and enjoy the music in their community.

C4 is named after the band members' stack in Beauregard Hall. They formed after meeting each other during move-in week. The band plays a mix of improv, popular songs, and jazz.  I was able to get the inside scoop from Austin, the drummer.

How did you select the genre of music and the songs?
We mostly do improv, jazz, or random popular songs that have a chill vibe. Dom and Andrew played in a band together, and did a lot of jazz, so that's a big influence.


How did the band form?
Dom and Andrew were playing music in their room (bass and keyboard) a couple of days before move-in day. A few of us heard them upstairs so we went to go check it out.  I started playing on a trash can, a desk, a box, and their amps.

Eventually, we decided it would be cool to go outside and jam in the courtyard. Our first jam was with Dom, Andrew, and I (Austin). The next time, Bob grabbed his sax and joined in and John brought his guitar.


Where do you see the band going?
We honestly aren't that serious of a band...We play because we love the music. If we went out and played and no one was there watching, we'd still jam. We don't have future plans, but that's how we want it.


Did you know each other before hand?
Only Dom and Andrew knew one another.

Where do you practice?
We don't practice.

I see you play "drums" on a  unique "drum set." Where did this inspiration come from?
Once we moved outside I just went around hitting on stuff to see how it sounded. I started with the bench, a chair outside, and a trashcan. Now, I play on the bench, a plastic clothes bin, any chair, and a small cymbal.

How do you feel living on campus has affected your band?
If we didn't live on campus, more specifically in the Pentagon, the band never would have formed. The courtyard is the only way that our band was able to grow. I don't think our story could have happened any where else.




Thanks, C4! 

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo