What it’s like to be in a student band in Cambridge

Student bands are making their way back to prominence after the pandemic, with events from JazzSoc to Grandma Groove featuring an array of talent right from Cambridge’s own population. Though they are still somewhat unsung (!) next term’s May Balls are likely to give these bands the exposure they deserve, putting live music back on the agenda for more college bars and bops.

I spoke to four of Cambridge’s student bands about their experiences, covering everything from payment problems, playing original music and getting recognised on the street to hopes for a future outside the university scene.

Sweet beginnings

Maggie from Just Me and the Geese remembers seeing a message on the first-year music group chat from their now-singer, Liv, asking if anyone would be interested in forming a band. “I always think how serendipitous it was that there were four of us who all played different enough instruments to be a band, and who also gelled well socially.” The band formed last Easter and had their first gig over summer, making them the newest band I’ve spoken to.

But since coming back to Cambridge they’ve become pretty high-profile in a short amount of time, playing at the Queens’ Arts Festival Launch this term and the Law Ball last term, with a few May Balls potentially coming up. Clearly, Cambridge isn’t a no-man’s land when it comes to starting up.  

For two of the bands I interviewed – Cheap Date and Soft Crunchy Landing – formation is a fairly distant memory. Jamie, who plays the trombone, is the longest-standing member of Soft Crunchy Landing and was around at its formation 5 years ago, but everyone else has switched in and out over the years.

“Sometimes we do auditions, sometimes we will just hear about people through word of mouth. It really depends on which position we’re trying to fill.” According to Felix, the guitarist, the set-up has worked well across the years. “We generally play funk and soul pop covers, like Beyonce or ABBA, but revamped in a fun soul style. Exclusively covers, so far, but all are arrangements are done by current or previous band members, so there is a sense of continuity.”

 

 

Cheap Date has also been around for a while, and they too have a James Bond-esque approach to their membership, filling in the gaps as and when people graduate. Does this mean that new members have a definite, preordained role to play?

Dom, the drummer, doesn’t think so. “When Stan (the singer) joined this year, he brought a style change with him. We’re now way more unique- we play much more high energy stuff, songs to get the crowd going. And we’re working on a few originals as well.” 

 

 

Temor, who play jazz, tend to switch around as well. Gabriel, the bassist, has played in Soft Crunchy Landing before, and each of their four members also belong to about two or three other jazz groups. “There’s a network of jazz players in Cambridge,” says Gabriel. “Together, if you combine all our different bands, it’s the whole scene, basically.”  

Jamming around town

Being a student band is one thing, but being a student band in Cambridge comes with a whole unique host of highs and lows. Archie, the drummer from Just Me and the Geese, remarks, “It’s a bit of a sticky situation in that the best gigs you’re going to get are during term time – but that’s when you’re doing your degree as well!”  

Along with balancing work, there’s the general pressure of the Cambridge environment. Archie mentions imposter syndrome, and Maggie adds, “Performing and writing songs in a university where there are so many amazingly talented musicians is quite intimidating, and can definitely make me second-guess myself a bit.”

Both agree that the environment, along with its intensity, is inspiring. “When you write a song, it’s a personal thing,” says Archie, “and it can take quite a lot to put it out there. But when you get compliments it’s very rewarding!”  

Cheap Date also struggle a bit with the work-band balance. Stan came back to Cambridge a week early this term to rehearse. Another issue, which is more universal to student bands (and start-up bands generally) is money. “The tech side can be really pricey,” says Dom. “At the moment, when we play a set we have the vocal mic plugged into the piano amp and the keyboard sound coming out of that at the same time.”

He laughs, “The result isn’t the best, but the proper equipment is so expensive.”  

Money, money, money…

For Temor, there are benefits and challenges to being a band in Cambridge. One of the biggest cons is the way that student bands undercut prices – even in venues outside the University. “I don’t want to name particular colleges, but it can be a constant battle sometimes,” says Wynn, the drummer. Gabriel adds, “If ents officers and other organisers pay us well, they’re helping themselves in the future because they’re helping the jazz community in Cambridge. But they don’t always look to the long-term.”  

Felix from Soft Crunchy Landing reflects on how much the pandemic has changed the game for bands in Cambridge. “There’s been a huge shift in what colleges are willing to put up with casually. Before, you could message a bar asking to do a gig Friday night and you’d probably get a yes, but now there’s this whole process.” Has this changed what the band are willing to take, payment-wise?

“Definitely. Sometimes we have a set rate, sometimes we’ll do a set just for free drinks afterwards. For us, it’s actually getting to play that’s really important.”   

Hooked on a feeling

“Our singer, Rachel, is constantly getting recognised,” smiles Niklas, the saxophonist from Soft Crunchy Landing. “People come up to her on the street and tell her how amazing she was on stage last night.”

Jamie adds, “I’ve made loads of friends over the years just from people who consistently come to gigs. It’s a really good social thing.” And a bit of an ego boost?

He laughs. “Definitely!” 

Stan from Cheap Date reminisces on one of his favourite gigs of the year. “It was at Johns’ Freshers Bop. I was really hungover and just wanted to get the set done and go home, but then the people came and they were absolutely electric, singing along to our cover of American Boy, dancing – I ended up jumping into the crowd! That’s what I really love – when everyone’s just having a great time, there’s no pretentiousness, no black tie, just music that people love and great energy.” 

The members of Soft Crunchy Landing talked about some of their favourite venues. Niklas mentions Grandma Groove: “The energy there ranges from chaotic to… well, still chaotic! It’s just in one big room in Revs and everyone is just right there with us. There’s little separation of the stage and people, which we love.”

Jamie adds, “There’s often bouncers dragging people back. I’m literally hitting people with my slide [from the trombone] because they’re that close.” Felix has good things to say about Clare Cellars: “Their sound is hard to beat.”  

Looking forward

Looking to next term, with its May Balls and summer parties (free from covid restrictions, fingers crossed) I asked the bands what their hopes were for the short-term future.  

Cheap Date sound keen to pop the Cambridge bubble. Dom said: “As well as playing at a few May Balls, we have some really good stuff lined up over summer. Catch us at Hifields and Valefest if you can!”  

Temor want to transition more into playing their own original music, coming up with “our own sound,” as Wynn puts it. They’re looking to get more gigs outside the University scene, at pubs and bars around Cambridge and beyond. Soft Crunchy Landing, meanwhile are taking full advantage of May Week, playing at twelve balls over eight days. Niklas noted how most of the band, being second or third years, are yet to have a ‘normal’ Easter Term. “We’re really excited to experience May Week. Playing Trinity May Ball, especially, is going to be really special.”

Just Me and the Geese are focusing on their original music. Over Lent, they’ve been writing and recording new material, with their first album hopefully on the horizon. “We know we have an albums’ worth of material,” says Archie, “it’s just the process of getting it all down coherently, then recording.” How’s all that going- the creative process, the writing? Maggie praises the band’s synergy. “We all write our own music, we all have our own ideas to bring to the table. We definitely all inspire one another.”  

You can follow Just Me and the Geese, Temor, and Cheap Date on Instagram, and Soft Crunchy Landing on Facebook.

Feature image credits: Olivia Bloore

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