By Michael Farwell
Stonehill College concert coffee houses are rising in popularity and becoming a place for students to showcase their talent.
Students perform at the coffee house for various reasons. Some play just for fun, others to entertain a crowd, and some to test their own capability.
“I get bored playing guitar in my room. I used to play in talent shows and other concert type events in high school. I figured I should share my music with people who enjoy it.” Junior, Chad Gaughn, said.
Coffee House committee executive Devin Mauch had his own opinion of why people play. “I think it is a personal test for some people. They want to see if they are able to play in front of a crowd and starting out at an open Mic is the best idea. It can be tormenting at times, but it is a way to see if you can get that crowd approval before going somewhere else like a bar or a bigger venue to perform.”
Mauch who is on the concert coffee house committee said there are about 10 to 15 coffeehouses a year at Stonehill with 10 to 15 people, solo or in groups performing.
The concert coffeehouse is a self funded committee; however, at many open Mic nights at various café’s and bars you will find a variety of sponsors. “I sponsor some open Mic nights around Mystic, Conn. and Westerly, RI. They give me a chance to advertise my store and it provides bars with a unique or specialty beer for the evening.” Kevin Wildes, Cask’N Keg owner (A Mystic Liquor Store) said.
It is common to find Liquor stores, beer brands, and even Brick House surf shop in Marblehead/Gloucester has sponsored an open Mic night, all in hopes of getting some good publicity.
“We get bands and live entertainment in here all the time. It creates a good bar atmosphere and lightens the mood. Not only is it a good opportunity for the artists but also a chance to bring people into the bar that normally wouldn’t come in. It works as a positive for everyone involved. We have regulars now at the [bar] because of musicians they have seen come into the bar.” Peter Kelly, Pickled Onion (Beverly, Mass. Pub), said.
Eric Scholl and Shane Caffrey, aspiring musicians, saw the open-Mic night at Stonehill as an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Caffrey who frequents the stage during the concert coffee house felt that it was time that he and fret board-master Eric Scholl finally publically collaborated. “A lot of times we will be sitting in Scholly’s room just fooling around on the guitar and while I’m playing a riff, Eric will just start soloing,” Caffrey said.
It took some coaxing to finally get the two on the stage together.
“Nothing was spur of the moment about this,” Scholl said. “Shane really pushed for me to get up on stage with him. I remember countless times where I would walk over to O’Hara with my guitar and amp, Shane and I would have a few beers, and then start playing together. Even though it isn’t a huge venue its a little different being up on stage in-front of a bunch of people you don’t know. And that spotlight man, that thing seems like the sun when you are up there.”
Caffrey, a Scituate native, began playing the bass in his bedroom when he was 13-years-old. Eric Scholl, a Wilmington native, began his North Shore shredding at the same age of 13 after a heavy Metallica influence from his older brother, Will Scholl.
Caffrey, who now plays guitar, has a slightly different style than that of Scholl. Caffrey, with a phenomenal voice, sings like he is straight out of the south. A seemingly natural southern drawl with some high pitched falsettos seems to swoon any crowd he plays for.
While not only singing storytelling country lyrics, Caffrey also plays the rhythm guitar, keeping pace and tempo of the song in order.
Solo-master, Eric Scholl plays a heavier metal and blues guitar for the duo. Despite having an unparalleled voice, Scholl lets his guitar do the singing. “When Eric solos I get goose bumps,” Caffrey Said.
Despite sounding so different individually, when the two pair up together and play, their musical styles seemingly mix together like The Allman Brothers meets Black Sabbath.
“We’re far from where we want to be, but it is tough in college with so many other distractions. Eric is on the hockey team and I am the manager so that is a big commitment. Not to mention the countless hours of work we have for school. We’re going to keep grinding slowly but surely and hopefully go bigger than Stonehill coffee house with our music,” Caffrey said.
Students perform at the coffee house for various reasons. Some play just for fun, others to entertain a crowd, and some to test their own capability.
“I get bored playing guitar in my room. I used to play in talent shows and other concert type events in high school. I figured I should share my music with people who enjoy it.” Junior, Chad Gaughn, said.
Coffee House committee executive Devin Mauch had his own opinion of why people play. “I think it is a personal test for some people. They want to see if they are able to play in front of a crowd and starting out at an open Mic is the best idea. It can be tormenting at times, but it is a way to see if you can get that crowd approval before going somewhere else like a bar or a bigger venue to perform.”
Mauch who is on the concert coffee house committee said there are about 10 to 15 coffeehouses a year at Stonehill with 10 to 15 people, solo or in groups performing.
The concert coffeehouse is a self funded committee; however, at many open Mic nights at various café’s and bars you will find a variety of sponsors. “I sponsor some open Mic nights around Mystic, Conn. and Westerly, RI. They give me a chance to advertise my store and it provides bars with a unique or specialty beer for the evening.” Kevin Wildes, Cask’N Keg owner (A Mystic Liquor Store) said.
It is common to find Liquor stores, beer brands, and even Brick House surf shop in Marblehead/Gloucester has sponsored an open Mic night, all in hopes of getting some good publicity.
“We get bands and live entertainment in here all the time. It creates a good bar atmosphere and lightens the mood. Not only is it a good opportunity for the artists but also a chance to bring people into the bar that normally wouldn’t come in. It works as a positive for everyone involved. We have regulars now at the [bar] because of musicians they have seen come into the bar.” Peter Kelly, Pickled Onion (Beverly, Mass. Pub), said.
Eric Scholl and Shane Caffrey, aspiring musicians, saw the open-Mic night at Stonehill as an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Caffrey who frequents the stage during the concert coffee house felt that it was time that he and fret board-master Eric Scholl finally publically collaborated. “A lot of times we will be sitting in Scholly’s room just fooling around on the guitar and while I’m playing a riff, Eric will just start soloing,” Caffrey said.
It took some coaxing to finally get the two on the stage together.
“Nothing was spur of the moment about this,” Scholl said. “Shane really pushed for me to get up on stage with him. I remember countless times where I would walk over to O’Hara with my guitar and amp, Shane and I would have a few beers, and then start playing together. Even though it isn’t a huge venue its a little different being up on stage in-front of a bunch of people you don’t know. And that spotlight man, that thing seems like the sun when you are up there.”
Caffrey, a Scituate native, began playing the bass in his bedroom when he was 13-years-old. Eric Scholl, a Wilmington native, began his North Shore shredding at the same age of 13 after a heavy Metallica influence from his older brother, Will Scholl.
Caffrey, who now plays guitar, has a slightly different style than that of Scholl. Caffrey, with a phenomenal voice, sings like he is straight out of the south. A seemingly natural southern drawl with some high pitched falsettos seems to swoon any crowd he plays for.
While not only singing storytelling country lyrics, Caffrey also plays the rhythm guitar, keeping pace and tempo of the song in order.
Solo-master, Eric Scholl plays a heavier metal and blues guitar for the duo. Despite having an unparalleled voice, Scholl lets his guitar do the singing. “When Eric solos I get goose bumps,” Caffrey Said.
Despite sounding so different individually, when the two pair up together and play, their musical styles seemingly mix together like The Allman Brothers meets Black Sabbath.
“We’re far from where we want to be, but it is tough in college with so many other distractions. Eric is on the hockey team and I am the manager so that is a big commitment. Not to mention the countless hours of work we have for school. We’re going to keep grinding slowly but surely and hopefully go bigger than Stonehill coffee house with our music,” Caffrey said.
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