Musician of the Week: Oliver Kammerman

Oliver Kammerman
Oliver Kammerman

YEAR: Fourth

MAJOR: History

HOMETOWN: Binghamton, N.Y.

 

What’s your instrument of choice? Why?

I play guitar most and best. It’s the easiest to learn other people’s tunes that I enjoy. I love singing and percussion as well though, both are very organic and primal, goofy and more naturally expressive to me. Less in the way.

Who are you currently listening to?

The Beatles, Seu Jorge, Parliament Funkadelic, The Specials, Jack Black, RHCP, Sublime

Who are your biggest influences?

Iron and Wine on NPR Tiny Desk, Yemen Blues, Paul Simon’s Graceland

What do you do with music on/off campus?

Godchilla is on the outs at least until next semester if not longer, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen with that. Gettin’ it on with a new group called Upstate Rubdown. Super talented girls singing and playing, bringing great styles to the table and awesome voices and they have a stage presence that make me wanna work on my game. Acoustic performance at least for a while, up the sensitivity and dynamics and hopefully still be able to get people dancing. Anyone wanna play some percussion for us? Super sensitive? Maybe some african or alternative types of drums, shakers bongos, tamborines? We could use your rhythms.

Any advice for aspiring musicians?

You can do it. No shame. Be someone else. It’s about the sound you’re making, not you and your image. Steal from everyone, just admit that you did it.

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