WRMC Reveals Sepomana Lineup

 

On April 5, WRMC-FM, the College’s radio station, will be hosting Sepomana, the station’s annual spring concert, in the McCullough Social Space with headliners Delicate Steve, Baths and Rubblebucket.

Founded in 1993, the WRMC Concert Committee works to bring unique and entertaining lineups so that Sepomana can appeal to as wide a range of audiences as possible. This year’s band selection offers three bands that differ in both style and sound.

“We definitely tried to offer a varied lineup this year,” said Diane Martin ’13, a member of WRMC’s concert committee. “I think we did a great job of getting together three bands all with a unique appeal.”

Opening for the three acts is a Middlebury student band, currently under the name Convergent Sound Project, led by Erik Benepe ’13.5 of Stoop Kid fame. Convergent Sound Project will kick off the show with an experimental electric set, which is slightly different than Stoop Kid’s typical funk sound.

Delicate Steve, a New Jersey-based act, will lead the way for the hired bands. Headed by Steve Marion, a polymath with a background in recording and production, Delicate Steve’s style focuses on the instrumental talents of the band members. With little or no singing, the band’s sound is relaxed and rhythmic with complex guitar riffs and African-style percussion.

Next will be producer Baths, known as Will Wiesenfeld off the stage, out of Los Angeles. Baths utilizes looped samples, drum beats and often his own voice to create trance-like tunes akin to those of well-known acts Flying Lotus and RJD2. Wiesenfeld has attained increasing popularity since the release of his 2010 album “Cerulean,” which received praise from both Pitchfork and A.V. Club, both websites widely considered to be authorities in the world of independent music.

Following Baths, Brooklyn-based rock band Rubblebucket will close the show with a high-energy set. The band is known as much for their concert presence as for their music.

“[Rubblebucket] really encourages audience participation to go along with their already high-energy, danceable sound,” said Martin.

The group, which utilizes a brass section and upbeat drums to create a happy aesthetic, should provide a dynamic conclusion to the show.

This year, WRMC took advantage of a new relationship with the Burlington concert venue Signal Kitchen to help book some of the acts, including Baths.

“We created an agreement between WRMC and Signal Kitchen to help us get discounted prices for high-profile acts,” said General Manager of WRMC’s board Dylan Redford ’14. “Acts who will play up in Burlington can opt for a sort of package deal that also includes a stop at the College.”

This new relationship should allow the College to attract a wider range of more popular acts at a price that is within WRMC’s range. Redford is excited about all the possible benefits of the relationship.

“Hopefully the connection between us and Signal Kitchen will be long and fruitful, maybe even resulting in internship opportunities for Middlebury students along with access to many bands that would have previously been out of our range,” he said.

Tickets for Sepomana went on sale Wednesday, March 13.

“Due to the popularity of the acts we encourage everyone to get their tickets as early as possible,” said Martin. “We are expecting a sold-out show.”