Photo by Caitlin O'Rourke
After tomorrow’s final Java Jams round, Butler will have its own indie rock American Idol. We asked the judges from round two to tell us their thoughts about the five contestants.
The three judges from the night included Dan Snodgrass, who supplies guitar and vocals for local band The Bonesetters; Katie Carlson, a junior marketing major, former leader of BU Coffeehouse; and Ashley Plummer, Butler’s new media coordinator and lead guitarist for local band Neon Love Life. Of the five, Bob Barrick, Kelly Baumgartner & Sora Lyu and the Matthew Ferris Band advanced. The competition begins at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Reilly Room. Each contestant has to perform one Beatles song as a Coffeehouse challenge.
BOB BARRICK: “Cannonball Days,” Ryan Adams; original songs
Dan Snodgrass: Bob performed a song that he said was the first he had ever written. I wish my first song would have been half as good as his.
Ashley Plummer: I really thought he engulfed a Tom Waits sound, which so many try to do, but can’t.
KELLY BAUMGARTNER AND SORA LYU: “I’m Yours,” Jason Mraz; “Seven Nation Army,” The White Stripes; “Piano Man,” Billy Joel
Katie Carlson: The White Stripes cover was out of this world. Why didn’t Jack White think of that?
AP: They stole my heart when they did “Seven Nation Army.”
MATTHEW FERRIS BAND: original songs
AP: Their songs were really catchy. I didn’t like the Broad Ripple duck song—it seemed a little childish.
KC: The guitar solos were exceptional.
TAYLOR NIETA: “Stand By Me/New Soul” mash-up, Ben E. King, Yael Naim; “I’m No Good,” Amy Winehouse; “Make You Feel My Love,” Bob Dylan
DS: The mash-up she did was beautiful, and she had impeccable talent. I am, however, guilty of laughing when she didn’t know that “Make You Feel My Love” was originally by Dylan.
KC: My God, that voice. It’s one of the best I’ve heard.
TAMARA AND EVAN: “Don’t Know Why,” Norah Jones; “Yellow,” Coldplay
KC: Tamara is a delightful performer. You can tell she loves it. I wanted her to get into it more and move around.
