By Luke Frantz, March 7, 2023
Shining a spotlight on local artists, ASI Bronco Events & Activities Team hosted a Coffee N Tunes event in Ursa Minor in the Bronco Student Center March 2. ASI BEAT hosts events like this in order to help showcase art to students and gives students a break from their busy class schedules.
The Coffee N Tunes event transformed Ursa Minor into a coffee shop setting and allowed attendees to indulge in free coffee, tea and baked goods. The dim lighting and smell of fresh coffee gave a relaxed feel to the atmosphere, while dozens of students who attended eagerly awaited their peers’ performances.
“We want to get the word out to the campus community of original music created by students for students,” said Kate Smith, art program supervisor with ASI BEAT. “We want to introduce new art forms to students who may not have exposure to them yet.”
The event began with a performance by computer science student Richard Corvera. The artist wowed the audience with his performance of “Light my Fire” on the keyboard, setting the tone for the rest of the event.
Jack Cox, an architecture student, shared his thoughts on the performers as it was his first time going to something like this.
“My favorite part honestly was the singers and the rapper,” Cox said. “All of them shared a little bit about themselves.”
Cox also emphasized that he would be going to more events like this in the future because he enjoys the environment and loved meeting new people.
The artists performed their original songs, providing background on the choices they made.
Singer–songwriter Frankie Nicole shared before her performance that she wrote her song about going through a breakup. As she performed, the audience was drawn into her song, as her lyrics and guitar playing evoked feelings of loss and heartbreak many in the audience had likely felt.
Alexander Novoa | The Poly Post
Some of the artists like Benjamin Villa, lead singer and guitarist of the band Case Study, shared background on his song and what it meant to him. His song, titled “Vulnerability,” brought sounds of old emo music with its fast-paced guitar and the sound of his voice.
“It is the most open and honest song I’ve written in my entire life,” Villa said. “I wanted to be able to take all my emotions, that feeling of vulnerability and channel it into a song reminiscent of a throwback Pear Jam or a Nirvana song.”
One artist who strayed away from playing any instrument was rapper and songwriter Ace, whose song echoed his life experiences. He cited that as what inspired him to write music ever since he was a kid.
“I thought this would be an awesome opportunity to get my voice heard,” Ace said. “I don’t do a lot of performances, so this was a great opportunity for me to get my feet wet.”
Ace’s lyrics and delivery kept the audience tuned in as his song was a hit with the students who attended. He explained the song he performed was his most heartfelt song to date.
While many students in attendance were drawn into the music performers, others were impressed by comedian and host of the event Fumi Abe.
Business student Guicely Rosales said the comedy was her favorite part of the event because it brought a fun dynamic to the more relaxed environment set by the performers onstage.
Abe brought a welcomed break in between songs, as his jokes had the crowd laughing and participating in his bits.
For more information on future events, check out the ASI BEAT Instagram page @ASICPPBEAT or look for them on myBAR through the CPP website.
Feature image courtesy of Alexander Novoa