YEAR: Second
MAJOR: History, Music
HOMETOWN: Mineola, N.Y.
What’s your instrument of choice and why?
Bass. It was the first instrument I started playing and the one I’ve studied and practiced for years. Lately though, I play more acoustic guitar than anything else.
What are you involved with musically?
A band with my friends at home called Bad Donor, I write my own solo acoustic stuff and I’ve played in a few bands in New Paltz — Suspiciously Crispy and Oswald.
Who are your biggest influences?
Jeff Rosenstock of Bomb the Music Industry! and Frank Turner. Lots of folk, punk and ska.
Who have you been listening to lately?
River City Extension. Good People, an awesome Long Island ska band.
What’s your plan for the future?
To go to graduate school and eventually try to become a college professor, and continue writing my own music on the side and maybe start producing some things.
Any advice for aspiring musicians?
Don’t overwhelm yourself when learning a new instrument. Lots of people misjudge the learning curve of playing a new instrument, particularly guitar. Focus on the fundamentals, even if it’s boring, to develop good habits before moving on to bigger things.