Even though the outside world is anything but normal these days, the show must still go on.
Monmouth University’s Blue Hawks Records is hard at work creating their 17th compilation album. Being a part of this year’s team, I can tell you first hand that it is going to be a good one.
We have assembled artists who vary widely in genres. We have a few full bands, solo singers, and rappers, so be prepared to switch up your vibe while listening to this album.
Last week, we hosted virtual and socially distanced auditions. Our students presented us with an abundance of talent and it was hard to narrow down to just six. Allow me to introduce you to our artists this semester: Nick Garrecht, Abby Garcia, Justine Ume, Hasan Chambers, Charlie Krause, and Gabe Garza.
Nick Garrecht has been playing guitar for five years and piano for three. Having been influenced by Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles, and Harry Styles, Nick and his band White Wing have written over 40 songs. Writing and playing professionally is their dream, and they aim to aid as many of their listeners as they can through their music.
Abby Garcia is a first year music industry student, and has connected with music ever since she was a little girl. She began taking voice lessons in 2010, and was involved in chorus and her school’s musicals. She is excited to be making music in Asbury Park where one of her influences, Bruce Springsteen, made his name.
Justin Ume is a rapper, songwriter, editor, content creator, and public speaker, who appears under the stage name UMĒ. He considers his content to be empathetic, “mood music.” Through his music he is looking to empower those who feel powerless, serve as a voice for younger generations, and encourage everyone to tap into their real feelings and emotions.
Charlie Krause is mostly a singer and pianist these days, but before getting into either he was an electric bassist and studied jazz performance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
He learned that that was no longer his passion, and went on to worship acts like Neil Young, Jackson Brown, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen. Most of Charlie’s music aims to tell a story, an art he believes to be lacking in some of today’s popular music.
Gabe Garza, otherwise known as “Double G. is from a small town in New Jersey and has been writing music since his sophomore year of high school. He has dropped two singles and one EP so far and is looking forward to creating more music.
We are just getting started on this project, and I’m very excited to see how it turns out.
The album will be released on Dec. 9 for a virtual live event starting at 8 p.m. on Instagram (bluehawkrecordsofficial) and Facebook Live.
PHOTOs COURTESY of Monmouth University
