College Park’s own Otis Infrastructure performed at WMUC’s Third Rail Sunday, a new and exciting venture for the band, members said.

The band, originally formed in New York by guitarist and singer Dean Essner, a senior journalism and English major at the university, showcased its latest record titled “Minimalism,” which was released this summer.

The show was the first performance of the newly reformed band.

“For our first gig with this particular lineup,” said band member and senior computer engineering John Stackpole, “I thought it was fun and went really well. We’re super hyped by the positive responses we got from everyone who was there.”

Otis is composed of university students Essner, guitarist Stackpole, bassist Dan Singer, drummer Joey Antico and keyboardist and trumpeter Thomas Lardner. Essner compared the band’s sound to indie rock band Yo La Tengo.

“Whenever we’re asked what kind of music we play, I never know what to say,” Essner said. “So I’ll say we play rock music, but there are some noisier edges to it, and it’s sort of ambient sometimes, too.”

Trumpeter and keyboardist Thomas Lardner was a member of the local band The Aphids, along with guitarist John Stackpole (not pictured). (Sung-Min Kim/Bloc Photographer)
Trumpeter and keyboardist Thomas Lardner was a member of the local band The Aphids, along with guitarist John Stackpole (not pictured). (Sung-Min Kim/Bloc Photographer)

Band member Dan Singer, a senior multiplatform journalism major, said the exposure could pan out well for them.

“We’re hoping to play some gigs in Maryland and D.C.,” Singer said, “and get the word out locally. We’ll see what happens when the summer comes around in terms of other opportunities to gig, tour and record.”

Though band members have not performed much since the Terpmode Showcase at Stamp Student Union in April, they say they look forward to gaining traction in the coming months.

Aside from their upcoming gig at the University of Delaware Oct. 10, the band is trying to set up more shows in Baltimore, D.C. and the College Park communities.

“It was a lot of fun putting Dean’s songs together with the new Otis Infrastructure lineup,” Singer said, “and getting the opportunity to make some noise in a live setting. I thought the set went over really well, and I’m excited to see where we take these songs next.”

Otis Infrastructure can be contacted via Facebook or here.

writersblocheadshots11Daphne Pellegrino is a sophomore journalism major and can be reached at dpellegr@terpmail.umd.edu

 


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