Fans of folk music flocked to the Deep South Bar last Thursday to see local band Carolina Roadkill perform with featuring acts Boylion and the debut performance of Tin Can Sailors. Consisting of all N.C. State students, Tin Can Sailors was thrown together a mere three days before the show and, despite meager experience playing as a group, put on a successful performance. Members of the burgeoning band include Chris Lazarek, Kyle Jackson, Matt Gilmore and Logan Draughn, and each brings multiple, individual talents and experience to the group.
Their self-described “indie-folk” sound is a compilation of instruments, harmonizing vocals and styles that they effectively melded together enough, at least for the time being, for the show. Lazarek, a senior in history, said that he and Gilmore are the two main singers and, after playing shows together for about 2 years, they decided to form a band.
“We already knew each other’s songs so we decided to go ahead and start a band together,” Lazarek said. “Right now we are all just playing each others songs, but we rewrote them all so they sound more like a distinct band.”
Draughn and Jackson complete the band, having met Lazarek through their involvement in Young Life.
“I met Logan through Young Life, he transferred here from Elon, and Kyle was with Logan,” Lazarek said.
Though Gilmore and Lazarek do a lot of the groups vocals, all four members can sing, in addition to playing their instruments.
“Our band is unique because all four of us can sing really well so we can use 4-part harmonies,” Lazarek said.
Multi-tasking on stage isn’t limited to singing and playing an insturment for the Tin Can Sailors. During Thursday’s performance, Draughn simultaneously played a banjo, a kick drum and a hi-hat tambourine, and is one of the most talented people Lazarek said he has ever met.
“We are all working on expanding the group’s songs together, but Logan is really experienced with music. He went to NC School of the Arts for guitar in high school,” Lazarek said.
Michael Whitehead, sophomore in mechanical engineering, enjoyed the cool venue and headlining act of the show which he attended with a fellow student. Whitehead said he was impressed with the Tin Can Sailors as well.
“It was impressive, especially for being a band for only 3 days,” Whitehead said. “I’m not even really into that type of music but I would definitely go see them perform again.”
Ashley Merrill, a sophomore, enjoyed the unique styles of the individuals and how they maintained this individuality even when playing as a group. Merrill said she particularly enjoyed Lazarek and Gilmore playing together.
“You can tell each guy has their own different style,” Merrill said. “I’ve heard both Chris and Matt play separately before, and the collaboration worked really well,” Merrill said. Interaction on stage between the four added to the energy of the show, Merrill said.
“As a whole they’re all really well rounded and talented. They seemed like they were having a lot of fun together on stage, and enjoyed each others company,” Merrill said.
