Seven Six Cuts Across the Grooves – UMass Lowell

Since UMass Lowell visiting lecturer Christopher Lee began teaching Songwriting Ensemble in 2017, he noticed that a chorus of sounds continued to swell from places hed never expected.

Why, he thought, shouldnt everyone, regardless of their major, be able to find a way to share their musical talent?

A little more than a year ago, Seven Six Records, a student-run, faculty-advised club that offers budding songwriters and performers a chance to take their music all the way to its crescendo, came to life. So far, eight songs have come to fruition, from the germ of music and lyrics to the finished product, launched online.

This semester, Seven Sixs nine artists run the gamut, from rap to hard rock to soul to jam band to folk.

Its a good cross-section of who we are as a department, says Lee. Its not one thing; its everything.

Laderoute (whose mother, Diane, in a longtime UML employee) plays guitar, piano, sings and photographs live music shows, but she joined Seven Six to organize, help with ideas and oversee projects.

The students have a voice, and they have a right to share it with the world, she says. I want them to be able to get their work out there with no obstacles, especially money or equipment. I want them to be heard. Its so important that people get that chance.

For several years, there had been talk of starting a student record label in the music department, says Lee, who serves as the clubs faculty advisor. I just thought it would be a great idea to highlight the students creative contributions to the culture of our university. Weve got a lot of talent here, and it would be great to let the world know.

Were looking at other venues off campus as well, says Lee. The idea is to give some student artists a chance to perform off campus.

If an artist doesnt have a platform like iTunes or Spotify, they can get help setting it up. Students keep the revenue from their sales.

Lee, whose real-life experience includes work as a composer and percussionist, played in rock and jazz bands before being drawn to music production.

Seven Six members have limited use of SRT facilities (which are in high demand) but enjoy the institutional relationships the university has with other studios in and around Boston.

This spring, notes Lee, were doing sessions at a studio in Boston. Its a way to get some practical experience off campus. A new setting helps build the skill set.

The club, which meets each Wednesday evening, is also exploring educational and community outreach, says Lee.

Were working on building community relationships in the public schools and with some afterschool programs, he says.

Excerpt from:
Seven Six Cuts Across the Grooves - UMass Lowell

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero