It was just before the ninth act of the night at Kappa Alpha Theta’s Rock the Casa event on April 6th, and I was still trying to get over losing the last raffle prize. The background music slowly started to fade and the next performer was announced. After having witnessed an air rock band with the lead male vocalist dressed in a shiny, gold leotard lip-synching to “Under Pressure,” I wasn’t quite sure what to expect next.
When Tom Campbell, a sophomore at the University of Vermont, started playing his acoustic rendition of “I Can See the Pines are Dancing” by A.A. Bondy, everyone was in awe. After an enthusiastic applause, Mike White (another performer that night) stepped up on stage and announced his undying devotion for Tom. Soon, the Taylor Swift Experience was born as Tom stood there, beet red, hesitantly trying to follow Mike via guitar as he was serenaded with “You Belong With Me”.
During his freshman year of high school, Tom made his first public appearance as a singer in chorus. According to a friend of his, he was so nervous his face turned bright red, probably the same color it was a few weeks ago. Then, senior year he had a friend who played guitar as well and decided to start up a band with his own original songs. Soon enough they added a drummer and turned his kitchen into their rehearsal space.
Now they’re known as the alternative/psychedelic/shoegaze band, Brahman, who perform primarily in the Boston, Haverhill and Worcester areas of Massachusetts. They’ve headlined as well as opened for other bands, but being under the age of twenty-one seems to have its difficulties when doing bar gigs. While playing at Ralph’s Rock Diner in Worcester one night, Brahman was supposed to headline, but the venue’s bylaws forced them to perform first so they had to leave early!
More from Tom:
1) What are your musical influences?
Folk music, but we mix it up with distorted pedals and guitar while keeping the vocal melody pretty. I want the music to be accessible to the audience so they aren’t scared. When writing the songs, I have to be in a certain mood, and I usually end up writing the chords down first before the lyrics.
2) Why did you post your latest album for free download on your website?
It was more important to me for people to hear it. We sell the album at our shows and end up breaking even anyway. The payment online is optional, so there have been quite a few downloads recently… I made $5 today from it! Now I can go get myself a sandwich.
3) How are you involved here at the University of Vermont?
I’m in UVM Top Cats, which takes up quite a bit of time…three practices a week for two hours and about one gig a week. I also just got elected to UVM’s SGA Senate.
4) What song have you been listening to the most recently?
“Everything in its Right Rlace” by Radiohead, or anything really by Bright Black Morning Light. I like the desert rock-type music, which is very slow, quiet vocals, clapping, but no drum set.
5) What has been your most embarrassing moment during a performance?
We were doing a show in Rochester, NH at a place called Ella Bella’s Café. I had written a song called “I Don’t Want to Believe,” which was about being tired of Catholic School. There was a chant that went along with it, and I taught it to the crowd. When it came time for the audience to do their part… silence. After the song had ended there was a long pause, with only one person clapping slowly in the back. I found out later that night it was Catholic venue!
Want to check out Brahman? Click here to listen and download their songs!