BC bands play at O'Connell

Anyone willing to make the hike to Upper Campus on Saturday night had the rare opportunity to see live music free of charge. Boston College's self-proclaimed jam-rock band, The Project, played a free two-hour show in the O'Connell House.

The band, made up of Adam Akpinar, A&S '08, Andrew Furth, A&S '09, Phil Logan, A&S '09, and Shane Becerra, CSOM '10, began playing together in February of this year. Their music, "an innovative blend of rock, pop, and soul," as put by drummer Akpinar, is influenced by a range of musical styles including classic rock, jam bands, R&B, and pop. "I like story telling," said Furth, for whom the band was originally named. The Andrew Furth Project, which debuted at Battle of the Bands this year, was soon shortened to The Project by both fans and the band itself.

Outside O'Connell House, one could hear the strains of music; through the window, one could see four guys having a great time with their instruments. Inside, the stairs and the rim were crowded with people sitting, but the music filled the room much more than the audience. The band's style is a unique pop/rock/jam infusion. The project played songs that ranged from "Sweet Home Alabama" to Bob Marley songs to their original pieces, showcasing their personal style in each song that they played.

At 9:15 p.m., the room was mostly just lined with people and a table of unopened snacks stood in the corner. By 9:30 p.m., however, the room started to fill up and soon could even be described as crowded. The musicians didn't really notice but kept playing a seamless stream of music, only sporadically stopping for water breaks or advertisements. The audience's feet were tapping, and most people were reveling in the music.

Around 10:20 p.m., the band decided to play an old favorite, "Sweet Home Alabama," which made a number of people stand up and dance. Their next two songs were very well received by the audience, which at this point were mostly dancing. "I wish I had come earlier," said Alicia Ryberg, A&S '11, upon hearing the last few songs. Many audience members seemed to feel the same way as they shouted, "Encore!" The band obliged, playing a song they had done at the beginning, too early for most people to be present for. It was very well received, and the crowd danced and yelled throughout the entire song.

Afterwards, the band thanked the audience and then stuck around to sell CDs and talk to their fans, while two other BC students, Denis Boulanger, CSOM '09, and Joe DeCarle, CSOM '09, set up to play the next time slot. Even though the room cleared out a bit, a good number stayed and listened to their set while others stayed to talk to members of The Project. The music was similar to the previous band, although it had a slightly mellower sound. They played a two-hour set from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m., letting their music encompass the old house.

At the end of the night, the remaining audience left satisfied after a night of free entertainment and food. The final musicians packed up their instruments and left the house. Those who attended know that these bands enjoy playing their music, but they also have higher goals. Members of The Project Boston want their fellow students to know that they want to "be the band on campus" and throughout Boston. "We would dream to be the new Guster, and come out of a college," said lead singer Furth. If they keep playing shows like the one this weekend, they may well on their way to becoming the next big thing.