Meet Derek! He’s tall, he’s funny and he’s also in a band. What’s there not to love?
Major: RPTA, but soon to be switching into Wine and Viticulture.
Year: Freshman
Relationship Status: Single
Where are you from?
La Verne, California. It’s a small suburb about 40 or so minutes outside of Los Angeles. I liked its location because it was a quiet town, but still close enough to the music scene of the city—which I fortunately got to take part in while I lived down there. That was probably one of my favorite parts about my hometown.
What are some of your hobbies?
I like hiking, listening to music, surfing — but I haven’t gone in a while. Crackin’ wise jokes. But mostly playing the drums in my new band, Spoon Canoe.
Tell me more about your band!
We’ve been together for about a month, now. We have sort of an indie-garage-rock sound, but more specifically though, I’d call our music Emo. It all started with the lead guitarist and singer, David McIntyre, and our other guitarist, Joey Nichols, just messing around with some songs they had written before. David posted to the Music Production Union Facebook page asking if any drummers or bassists would want to join them. Conor Hedigan — our bassist — and I replied to the post, and then almost immediately went over to jam with them. From there, we decided to start the band! About a month later, we recorded and released our first demo. Our next plan is to record an LP. Hopefully, we’ll be playing Battle of the Bands. We actually even have a gig in Santa Cruz during Spring Break. I’ve never been up there, so it’ll be really cool!
What’s your current favorite band? What song of theirs would you recommend?
I’ve been having a Joyce Manor guilty pleasure recently. Also: Tyler, the Creator, Somos, Title Fight, Merchant Ships, and American Football. But the song I’ve really been liking lately is “Sasquatch .22” by Bay Faction. It has very honest lyrics with an easygoing, jamming background.
What’s the last concert you went to? What’s the next?
I think the last one I went to was The Front Bottoms at the Glass House in Pomona, CA. My next one will be Citizen at the same place over Spring Break. There’s a lot of good bands on the lineup.
What’s something you definitely want to do before you die?
Skydiving! And travel abroad by myself — or just again, in general.
Favorite quality in a girl?
A good sense of humor.
Do you have any plans for Spring Break?
To hopefully play that gig in Santa Cruz, go to a concert, and hang out with family that I haven’t seen since Winter Break.
What’s your favorite quote?
Can it be a song lyric? Because this sticks with me more than anything.
“If actions speak louder the words, I’m the most deafening noise you’ve heard” – “Tilde,” Touché Amoré