Hoot/Wisdom Recordings releases fourth volume of “CompOWLation”
Featured artists from Hoot/Wisdom Recordings’ “CompOWLation Vol. 4” performed at the Burrow Bar & Grill
Beauty to the Moon singer Chris Perez rocks out during the middle of the band’s performance. Jasmine Garvey | Contributing Photographer
March 16, 2015
Disclaimer: One of the members of Fuzzhound, Jake Stuart, is a current member of the UP and Austen Erblat is a former member of the UP.
On Friday, March 13, Florida Atlantic’s Hoot/Wisdom Recordings hosted its second Hootstock in the Burrow Bar and Grill to showcase the fourth volume of “CompOWLation.”
“CompOWLation Vol. 4” contains original songs from 12 different student-artists. Only three artists featured on the album had the chance to perform at Hootstock; however, approximately 80 supporters packed the Burrow to see these lineups perform.
Matt Smith, the president of Hoot/Wisdom Recordings went around to the performers and audience members to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves. “I just want to make sure everyone is entertained and that they all have a good time,” he explained.
Most of the audience took charge in dancing along to the music or even just clapping along.
“I like the environment in here. It’s very fun and cozy,” said Juan Cifuentes, a commercial music major.
Victoria Zingale, an FAU alum and girlfriend of the drummer in Beauty to the Moon, described the place as “lively” and having “a lot of energy.”
There were some new artists featured on this years album, including Robert McRae, who even though he didn’t perform at the event, still came out to support his fellow composers saying, “This is really big for me since it’s my first album. We all worked really hard on this years album and everyone seems to be getting into it.”
McRae, known as Pyro on the album, sings “Let it All Go” with Alana Marie on “CompOWLation.”
The first of the three artists to perform at Hootstock was Ella Herrera, whose track on the “CompOWLation” is called “Tonic 12.” “I’m only used to performing in front of older crowds like 50 year olds and older,” said Herrera. “But I loved performing for a younger crowd this time. I was nervous but it was fun.” Herrera considers herself to be a “soul singer/songwriter.”
Her performance included five original songs titled “Goodbye,” “You’re Mine,” “Sweet Loving,” “Sweet Love of Mine” and “Born as Coyotes.”
Up next on the lineup was Fuzzhound. The band members consist of Jordan Duke (keyboard and saxophonist), Dale Robert Pohly (bassist), Jake Stuart (guitarist) and Austen Erblat (drummer).
Their act consisted of a few original songs, which are currently untitled, along with two cover songs — “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” by the Allman Brothers and “Half Full Glass of Wine” by Tame Impala. They recognize their style of music to be psychedelic rock and their song on the album is titled “Nothing.”
Lastly was Beauty to the Moon — made up of members Christopher Perez (lead vocalist), Christian Davis (guitarist), Andrew Musselman (bassist), Mike Haddox (guitarist) and Seth Bailen (drummer).
This was their first show performing their style of progressive/indie rock. “We did okay being it our first show, but I know for a fact we performed way better than any 30 Seconds to Mars concert,” explained Perez when he talked about their dislike towards the band. Perez clarified, “Jared Leto [lead singer for 30 Seconds to Mars] doesn’t know about it, but if we ever see him we’re going to tell him.”
Beauty to the Moon’s setlist included songs “Alibis,” “Higher I Get,” “Thirteen Minus Four,” “When They Notice” and “Stand Up.” They also performed “Challenger Deep,” which can be heard on the album.
Alejandro Sanchez-Samper, a faculty adviser to Hootstock and an associate professor and director of commercial music is the creator behind the “CompOWLation” albums. He said, “This record label is set up as a non-profit organization outside of the research part here at FAU. We thought that instead of each of the artists tackling their own albums, why don’t we just make a collection of singles into an album?”
Each “CompOWLation” takes three semesters to make. Then they “fundraise” their album to the student body. All songs on the album are written by FAU students and are recorded on campus. All money made from selling the “CompOWLation” albums goes to student scholarships awarded to the musicians
“CompOWLation Vol. 4” can be purchased here.
