Cat’s Cradle hosts 'Study Hall' festival featuring student bands

Originally founded in 1969, Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro is an iconic gathering place for artists big and small. This Saturday, six UNC student bands got the chance to take on the legendary Cat’s Cradle backroom stage. 

Comet Face, Orange County Collective, Mazzy and the 62’s, Mush Puppy!, With Love and Davie Circle headlined the UNC Band Festival, “Study Hall”. 

 ”My first concert was here when I was six, so it's nice to play here.” Jackson Kralic, guitarist in Comet Face, said. 

Kralic, along with singer Annie Sherlock, bassist Terra Procter and guitarist Willem Crittenden, opened the show. The band performed a set of almost entirely original songs. It featured moments of serenity, complete with bird-chirping sound effects, and moments in which Sherlock screamed her lyrics. 

Once Comet Face’s set came to a close, the Orange County Collective took the stage. 

Bill Moore, guitarist and banjo player of the band, described their music as bluegrass-y swamp rock with a roots rock rhythm. Singer and guitarist Mason Wasik, fiddle player Townes Ellis, bassist Nick Dettmer and mandolin player Max Jacobson debuted a slew of high-energy originals. 

When creating their songs, the band prefers a more individualistic creative process. 

“ Everyone brings their own song to the table first, and then it's like, ‘Hey, I wanna do this song,’ and then everyone learns the song,” Dettmer said. 

The show then transitioned into a set by Mazzy and the 62’s. 

Prior to the show, the band primarily appeared at tailgates, fraternities and house parties. They were excited to make their debut at their first “real venue”. 

The band consists of vocalist Mazzy Bruno, guitarist Jack Netherland, drummer Ben Hathaway and bassist Tony Preziuso. They play primarily classic and alternative rock with a sprinkle of country and bluegrass. 

“It's really fun to kind of mold our different styles into different genres of music,” Bruno said. 

Next up in the set was Mush Puppy! which featured guitar and vocalist Luke Balagot, guitarist Andy Zhao, drummer Kevin Pacas and bassist Finn Ulric. 

The band is a Cat’s Cradle veteran, having played both the back and main rooms. 

Mush Puppy! describes their music as indie and emo with rock and midwest influences. 

With Love performed next. The Carrboro-based band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Reilly Milburn, bassist John DiSabito, guitarist Max Levinson, guitarist Bradley Robasky and drummer Emmaus Holder. 

Milburn described their music as indie rock and emo. Playing exclusively original songs, the band explored topics such as anxiety and interpersonal relationships in their music. 

“We like to get loud,” Milburn said. 

While With Love is a regular at the Cat’s Cradle, having played there seven times both in the back and main rooms, their enthusiasm for the venue never wavers. 

“It never gets old, though," Milburn said. "We're always so thrilled to play.  They do a really awesome job on sound at Cat’s. They're always so nice.”

The set closed out with a performance from Davie Circle. They opened with a rendition of “Seven Bridges Road” by Steve Young — famously covered by the Eagles — then transitioned into a set interspersed with both upbeat originals and recognizable covers. 

The band, which consists of guitar and vocalist Noah Aiken, fiddle player Asher Wexler, guitarist and vocalist Malcolm Douglas, bassist John Wood and drummer Michael O’Laughlin, performed a blend of bluegrass, country, folk and rock. 

The name Davie Circle refers to the Chapel Hill road, which Aiken once lived on, and his circle of friends who helped him to become the person he is today. 

The band members were assembled from a hodgepodge of places, according to O’Laughlin. 

“ We enjoy being with each other. And they're awesome people,” O’Laughlin said.

The concert was a collaboration of student artists and the local music scene, providing a diverse night of student music. And it was one that the performers themselves did not take for granted.

“It’s crazy to be associated to all the other bands that have played here,” Moore said.

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