Fort Lewis College indeed does have talent.
Like college campuses nationwide, the student body is made up not only of eager students forging ahead toward careers and lofty life goals that could and will change like the weather, or the aspirations and promises of a politician, but also of wannabe entertainers.
Every college town has a music scene. For years, kids have been piecing together chords on beat-up instruments attempting to put together songs in a band.
Durango’s no different. If you wander past college housing or student rentals on the mesa, you’ll hear college kids trying to make some music.
Many of FLC’s startup bands will be showcased Saturday at the FLC Skyfest. Now in its 10th year, the event will feature eight local acts setting the stage for headliner Boombox. It’s put together by the FLC entertainment organization Student Union Productions.
Boombox is a an Alabama-based combination DJ/electronic and live band playing a mix of funk, blues, house, psychedelic and whatever else comes to life through its organic take on most genres that fall in the “rock” category.
The locals warming up for Boombox are a collective of various bands of the rock, jam and electronic variety – a series of main-stage acts and second-stage “tweeners” that will keep the music constant through the day while the main stage shifts out equipment from one act to the next.
“We’re focusing a lot more on the students this year,” student and SUP representative Derek Abt said last week in the KDUR studios. “Last year, we only had three (bands). This time around, they are big names on the poster. We’re trying to give more time to the students.
“Each student band is getting an hour set, each solo artist is getting 20 minutes. It’s definitely more geared toward the students.”
SUP held auditions last fall for bands wanting to perform. The eight acts were selected from a field of 14 who auditioned: jam band Flash Mountain Flood, hip-hop act Alex Blocker and Intelligents featuring Qwhy? and Soul Purpose, the bluegrass band Liver Down the River and psychedelic rock band Bermuda Collective.
The “tweener” acts include banjo player Justin Wynn, DJ Mtn Menace, looper musician Delaney Davis and juggler Taiga Koshihara.
The focus on student bands provides a noncredit educational experience for the student musicians involved in the concert. The opportunity to play on the big stage, in a big room is something many student musicians may never get a taste of.
“Everyone is completely stoked,” Abt said. “Durango is a great place if you are an aspiring musician.”
Liggett_b@fortlewis.edu. Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager.
Bryant’s Best
Saturday: Fort Lewis College Skyfest with Boombox, Alex Blocker and Intelligence, Liver Down the River, Bermuda Collective and more, 2 p.m., free for FLC students/$10 for the public, Whalen Gymnasium, 247-7394.
Sunday: “Tao: Phoenix Rising” drum and dance performance, 7 p.m., $29/$39, Community Concert Hall at FLC, 247-7657.
