Florida Atlantic University's first student-run news source.

UNIVERSITY PRESS

Florida Atlantic University's first student-run news source.

UNIVERSITY PRESS

Florida Atlantic University's first student-run news source.

UNIVERSITY PRESS

Hoot recordings artist spotlight: The People Upstairs

The People Upstairs is a music group that defies all genres and defines raw talent. Currently, the band is recording songs in the Hoot Recordings main studio on FAU’s Boca Campus. Hoot News caught up with band member Ryan Lockett in the studio to talk about the group, their music and how they became The People Upstairs.

Hoot News: What style of music does your band specialize in?Ryan: It’s hard to put us in a genre, but we have a very wide range. We play lots of funk, rock, reggae and some Latin because we have a lot of percussion.

HN: How did The People Upstairs get together?Ryan: The drummer and the bass player are both brothers, so that is pretty self-explanatory. The drummer, singer and I, we were all in drumline together in high school, so that’s how we met. And we all just sort of gravitated toward playing together.

HN: What is the significance of the band name The People Upstairs?Ryan: We could always make up something really deep, but really it’s just the fact that where we produce there’s a loft that’s upstairs. Just to show how creative we are… we’re The People Upstairs because that’s where we practice.

HN: You had a performance in October at the University of Tampa. How did the audience react?Ryan: The audience reacted very well. We found out once we got there [that] they did not advertise for the show like they should have, but we still drew some people in which was good.

HN: What is the best part about performing? Ryan: Probably the reaction of the people when they hear your music. The fact that you can share something with other people and see that they like it and the fact that you can start to connect with other people.

HN: What’s your strategy for getting the word out about your band and music? Ryan: Well it’s really about number one, being in the right spot at the right time. You have to really know how to market your music and find your niche within the music scene and spread the word the best that you can.

HN: What do you think about Hoot Recordings?Ryan: I think Hoot Recordings is something that’s long overdue and luckily sort of popped up when we were right there to take advantage of it. It’s like a gift and we were hopeful we could use it.

HN: Where do you find the inspiration to write your songs?Ryan: I think most of our songs just come from people in the group who will just hear a groove. The bass player will feel something and then he’ll play it for us. The drummer, he’ll start drumming to it and the guitar player, he’ll start playing the chords here and there and then it will slowly build up. Someone used to come and have a whole song written up, but now it’s a total collaboration.

HN: What do you hope your fans will get from your music?Ryan: Number one, it’s really all about feeling good. There’s just something about really good music that just touches you and you can feel it. Music is that universal language that really speaks to people and I hope that’s what people really get from this. It’s the fact that when you put on The People Upstairs, it really takes [you] to another level. [You] can just be upstairs with us and have the full experience of The People Upstairs.

Check out other Hoot Recordings Artist Spotlight features in Hoot News, the newsletter of Hoot Recordings. Stop by the Commercial Music office in Arts & Humanities room 111 on the Boca Raton campus to pick up the latest issue of Hoot News.

Hoot Recordings, FAU’s full-service, student-run record label, gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the commercial music industry. FAU and PBCC students in all majors are encouraged to participate in this interdisciplinary student organization.

Hoot Recordings offers positions in all departments of a traditional record label, including artists & repertoire, business, dance, engineering, graphic design, marketing & promotions, music management, newsletter, producing, songwriting and video production.

The commercial music business is a highly competitive field. Hoot Recordings is designed to help students understand all facets of a record label and prepare for successful careers in music.

Hoot Recordings’ general meetings are held every Monday at 12 p.m. in Arts & Letters room 260 on the Boca Raton campus. All students are welcome to attend. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call the Commercial Music office at 561-297-0600.

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