Before the pandemic, well-known, established student performers and groups performed on campus, such as Ointment Appointment. Due to the two years of online classes and the lack of in-person opportunities, these groups disappeared. As a result, the network of student performers slightly faded.
“There’s a large group of people who want to make music, but they don’t know each other,” said Pause Venue Coordinator and director of the Concert Board Sam Mendez ’23. Previously known as the Music Entertainment Committee (MEC), a branch of the Student Government Association (SGA), the board plans performance events and networking opportunities for student performers but is more focused on helping student musicians connect with each other. “We host mixers for student performers to get to know each other and connect them with the performers that come here for them to network within the industry too.”
Rarely are students allowed to perform outside of formal music organizations on campus. “We can connect you to band slots which give you access to a stage and professional equipment for free,” said Sam. “The variety here is unique too.”
The various types of music that can be heard on-campus is truly something special and distinctive, which is why continued support for these student performers is crucial. Wouldn’t it be so cool to say that you’ve been there from the start? To say, “yeah, I know them — they performed at my college,” is truly something unique. The idea of “investing in the potential” and seeing their growth makes supporting these student performers so exciting. Music, especially live music, is so rooted in St Olaf’s entertainment culture that it’d be a shame for the talent of student performers to go to waste. Besides, we wouldn’t want to disappoint Rihanna, would we?
The Squirez
“It really does go,” says Grant Beilke ’24, a member of the Squirez – a band that is a unique mix of indie, rock, and pop. This statement is a perfect description of not only their music but of the band as a whole. At the start of summer 2020, The Squirez went through significant growth and learning to get to where they are today. They’ve spent the last two years discovering how to write, produce their own music, and fine-tune their sound. The Squirez consist of Beilke, an Ole majoring in political science, on the base. Alexander Donahue is the group’s lead vocalist, who also dabbles in various instruments. Aaron Johnson, a Gustavus Adolphus student, is on the keyboard. Their songs have an easy flow and ease that pulls listeners into their music.
The group is hopeful of releasing their first ever album this November titled, “An Introduction to The Squirez” which Grant describes as an album full of “music for musicians” as it is more instrumental-based. Beyond their first album release, The Squirez can be found on Spotify. Their YouTube channel consists of fun vlogs and recorded performances throughout the year.
Song Recommendation: “Stucco” and “Get It Wrong”
Inspired by: Tame Impala, Her’s, and The Beatles
Words to Describe The Squirez: Friendly, relaxed, entertaining, and unique.
Arpeggios On Fire
Though they pulled their name from an old Bo Burnham, this duo couldn’t be any more different from Burnham. Diego Varas Rubín ’24 is a political science major with a concentration in international relations and Latin American Studies, and Henry Dissell ’24 is sociology-anthropology and political science major. After discovering their respective talents, the two started performing together for fun in February of 2021. With Dissell on piano and Rubín on vocals, Arpeggios On Fire has a beautiful, calming sound that feels like a warm blanket. Their music consists of romantic ballad covers, which you can find on their YouTube channel, but they’re working on writing their own songs someday. This year, they hope to get more opportunities to perform here at St. Olaf and are working towards growing their online platform.
Song Recommendation: “Scared to be Lonely” and “Let It Be”
Inspired by: Adele and Dua Lipa
Words to Describe Arpeggios On Fire: dedicated, warm, soft, and passionate
Ingrid Streitz
Staring at the age of nine, Ingrid Streitz ’23 has performed in local talent shows and farmer’s markets in Iowa. She’s always had a love for music and has been singing for as long as she can remember. She picked up the guitar thanks to her dad, a guitarist himself. Ingrid’s music consists of chill pop covers and is mainly pulled from classic songs similar to “Make you Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan and “When We Were Young” by Adele. She performed at a Bob Dylan tribute with The Recliners in 2017 and at the Virtual Iowa Arts Festival in 2020, which received live media coverage from City Channel 4. Her cover song choices greatly reflect her personality – groovy and chill. Ingrid is hoping to perform in the Northfield community and campus this year.
Song Recommendation: “Put Your Records On” and “Wide Open Spaces”
Inspired by: Taylor Swift
Words to Describe Ingrid Streitz: sweet, groovy, bubbly, and chill
Kenzie Nguyen is a junior English major with a concentration in International Relations from Brooklyn Park, Minn.. When not in the office, Kenzie enjoys walking around town, exploring Content Bookstore, watching reality tv and movies, and chatting with her friends. She dreams about owning her own little breakfast and coffee nook. In the future, Kenzie hopes to be a news and politics reporter.