The Colby Music Incubator (CMI) has kicked off the school year with several concerts, Saturday Night Live, and plans for much more to come. If you’re not in CMI or a friend of a friend, you may be curious just who these bands, on the funky gig posters that pop up around campus, are. Well, look here–I took inventory of all the active student bands as of right now and even slid into their DM’s to get the inside scoop on who they are, and why we should watch them play.
Grey December: We know ‘em, we love ‘em. Cogan Lawler `26 says this is the band’s fifth year. Which means, just as the human body regenerates every single cell in seven years, Grey December features none of its original members. How long will the legacy continue? This year’s lineup includes vocalists Sierra Cortez `27 and Maura McGraw `26; Lawler, Owen Field `27 and Liz Echt `28 as guitarists; bassist Teddy Luchars `27; and drummer Taylor Bailey `26. Follow @weregreydecember on Instagram, so you can find out who inherits the Grey December name in years to come.
Battle of the Bands winner Sonic Roots is back and better than ever. The current lineup of the all-Black neo-soul/R&B band consists of vocalists Abi Tedros ’28 and Caleb Adams `28, keyboardist Papa Boateng `27, drummer Ope Shodipe `27, and guitarist Drew Davis `27. Since former bassist Zoe Onyango `25 graduated last May, the group is seeking someone new to set the groove. Reach out to them on Instagram if you’re interested: @sonic.rootz.
Drummer Dante D’Alessandro `26 is super excited about the new rock/pop group, No Vacancy. “We’re a new band this semester, but [we’re] really a supergroup of sorts,” he says, as he gives me the lineup. McGraw and Aidan Loth `26 come together from very different vocal backgrounds: McGraw is currently a lead vocalist in Grey December, while Loth is a long-time member of the Colby Eight. D’Alessandro, guitarist Nate Flint `26, and bassist Ray Falci `28 were all members of Crush. Flint was also in Right on Red and currently plays in Grey December, while D’Alessandro also played for The Tributes. No Vacancy is planning their first show for October 4 at Roberts patio. Follow their fresh Instagram account: @no_vacancy_colby.
Recess, est. August 2025, is a new upperclassmen group featuring lead singer Hunter McKendry `26, drummer Jack Doyle `26, guitarists Luchars and Oliver Riordan `26, and bassist Lilah Thompson `26. “We play pop rock, classic rock, pop, and country,” Recess tells me. But they refuse to divulge any of the songs on their set list: “We are keeping our songs secret at the moment!” they say. What are these kids cooking up for us? I’m ready to find out. Instagram: @recess.the.band.
Rafi Aronson ’27 is taking what I’d consider an ‘interdisciplinary approach’ to live music. He’s started what he calls “An Unincorporated Community” of musicians: a rotating group of artists whose lineup and genre will change with every performance. When asked who exactly they are, he’ll tell you, “the archivist and friends.” Mysterious! On Sundays at 1 pm, you can tune into their radio show for weekly on-air performances. There’s also word of an upcoming disco night.
Free Candy is another new name in the Colby music scene. Vocalist Steph Kwon `27, guitarists Drew Davis `27 and Owen Field, bassist Luchars, and drummer Andre Culpepper `28 will be performing a mix of rock and R&B for us this year. Follow their Instagram account: @freecandy_theband.
What’s missing? Lawler let me know that he’s formed a folk band with Stephanie Smith `26, Echt, Falci, and Ethan Tubb `28. Name TBD. If you’re not in the scene, keep this article; you can use the process of elimination when they’ve titled themselves.
Here are the rest of the active student bands currently registered with CMI: Toejam (pop, roots), CATFIGHT (grunge, mo, pop punk), Swish (indie, folk), Exit 127 (indie, rock), and Sabre (twee pop).
~ Alayna Blier `26
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