Central Connecticut State University’s student-run radio station, WFCS, hosted an artist showcase in Alumni Hall from Nov. 22-23, spotlighting several local artists and musicians, including some of CCSU’s own among them.
The radio station set the stage for the artists, with Hilberto Depena in charge of production and sound. A diverse range of genres were performed, from hip-hop and R&B to punk, rock and alternative.
Flowers From Tea, a collaboration born from singer-songwriter Tea Powell and cellist Christina Bustamante, opened the showcase with wispy and dainty vocals accompanied with stripped-back acoustic instrumentation and strings, reminiscent of the delicate vocals present in contemporary folk or dream pop artists.
Bayani, along with Rydel, Mayiah J, Trishawn and Gradient Collective were among some CCSU students featured in the showcase.
Andre Blue, under the name Dregottheblues, performed with charisma, closing the first day of performances. Blue said he was inspired by legendary hip-hop acts of the past, some including Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli), A Tribe Called Quest and J Dilla, but has also found inspiration in contemporary greats like Kendrick Lamar, J.I.D. and J. Cole.
Blue’s smooth flows over his neo-soul and jazz inspired production brought the crowd back to life, hopping down onto the ground floor with the audience just before the showcase closed out for the night. Blue’s connection to the crowd comes from his past work with similar endeavors.
“I come from a background of college radio, and I used to throw a lot of artist showcases,” Blue said. “We tried to get a lot of people from off-campus to come and mix in with the people on campus and make it a big opportunity for everyone involved.”
Blue, as well as several other performing artists, said that inspiration from their fellow performers from hearing their sets served as a pre-ritual before getting up on stage themselves, and reminded them of the rich music scene in Connecticut.
“I heard a lot of different genres tonight,” Blue said. “It’s cool to see that blend and see a lot of the same faces in the crowd for each of those acts because it just says that there’s a big music community here at CCSU.”
Gino Ferraro, a soft alternative rock guitarist and singer-songwriter from Hamden, performed with Cam Marks on drums, Dylan Gagliardi on keys and Dylan Jensen on bass. They have all played together for nearly a decade. Marks’ drumming stayed in the pocket, elevating Ferraro on vocals and guitar. Their synergy on stage was made possible from diverse backgrounds in music.
“I think that’s why the four of us work so well,” Ferraro said. “You’ve got metal, dubstep, blues, and gospel…it comes together.”
The band plans to write more songs as a cohesive unit and plans to perform gigs under a band name at some point next year, Ferraro said. In the meantime, they will continue to play songs written mostly by Ferraro and produced by Gagliardi and are seeking out more gigs across Connecticut, with WFCS’s showcase being another checkbox marked in their list of goals.
Rosalíe, from New Haven, performed on the second day of the showcase and had a standout set with original songs and a taste for shoegaze production overlayed by a mix of art rock and pop on vocals. Inspired by artists like The Smashing Pumpkins, Mannequin Pussy and Momma, Rosalíe said she enjoys production with texture, grit and of the same tinge as those artists. On the vocal side, Rosalíe said she was heavily inspired by the emotive lyricism of Lianne La Havas and other R&B acts.
Rosalíe’s confidence shined on stage, emanating passion and a sense of yearning from her vocals. Her stage presence was independent and unwavering, which speaks to her mantra on what music means to her.
“Music is my escapism,” Rosalíe said. “So, I just want people to feel good or feel whatever they want to feel.”
Depena, also known as DJ Hilly D, closed out the second day of performances with a final DJ set.
Several art vendors sold their work in Bellin Gallery, attached to Alumni Hall. WFCS also provided free food and drinks for the audience and performing artists.
