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KRIS HARRIS
Special to The Leader
Anthemic is a word which could be used to describe the show that happened last Wednesday at BJ’s with The OtherMe and Humble Braggers bringing music to the masses. Originally a rainy day in Fredonia, some were concerned that the weather might deter people from heading downtown. But the weather cleared up, and the show continued with heartfelt lyrics and huge melodies being carried on throughout the night.
The OtherMe, whose real name is Aiden Licker — a junior audio/radio production and music business double major — was up first, and he quickly took control of the crowd. With a simple setup of a guitar and a loop pedal, the artist didn’t need much to have the crowd whooping and cheering.
The set was a mix of originals and covers with the first song containing pieces of Nelly’s Ride Wit Me and R. Kelly’s Ignition, which instantly excited the crowd.
This isn’t Licker’s first time performing at the college bar, as he has worked on earlier projects under the name Marcello. There he was just rapping over instrumentals, with that music carrying him to major Buffalo venues like the Waiting Room. Nevertheless, he discovered a new sound with an unexpected obstacle.
“I got a letter from this guy named Marcello, who just got signed, spelled the exact same way. I didn’t want to get involved with any copyright thing,” explained Licker.
But instead of being frustrated, he saw this as an opportunity to reinvent himself. Taking inspiration from an old Disney movie and picking up a guitar – which Licker has been playing since he was nine years old – the new project started to take form. This new sound carries over his old rapping style with acoustic guitar.
Initially The OtherMe only had a few songs prepared, but Patrick Walker, the organizer of the show, allowed the artist to go past the expected set time, prompting him to play more covers. From Sublime’s What I Got to a powerful performance of Ed Sheeran’s Give Me Love, The OtherMe started the night off right.
More can be expected from the new project, as Licker has been working with fellow students to produce new material.
Up next were Buffalo natives the Humble Braggers.The project had Tom Burtless on bass, guitar and lead vocals. Bryan Zells was also on guitar and bass, and Matt Chavanne played drums.
The band’s music, which can be described as ambient indie pop, seemed to transport listeners from a small bar to a huge festival with wide open fields. Their playing felt large and lush; the audience danced to the gigantic grooves.
The word “enveloping” was used by Zells to describe their band which fits the group perfectly. But for a large sound, the songs come from simple beginnings.
“It’s been a lot of me in a bedroom just crafting these songs,” said Burtless, who lays most of the groundwork on the music. However, future releases will involve more input from fellow members.
“I want it to be more collaborative,” added Burtless.
Not only was this their first show at BJ’s, this show was the first show for this new lineup, which only came together about three weeks ago. The band was originally a five-piece but condensed to a three-piece, with Chavanne coming in just a few weeks before, from the synth pop outfit Small House.
The chemistry between the members was easily noticeable as they were constantly exchanging smiles throughout the performance. That happiness was transferred to the audience and heightened the mood.
The setlist contained several songs from their most recent EP, Disposable Friends, which was released early this summer. New material can be expected from the Humble Braggers, “hopefully by early spring,” said Burtless.
The band keeps fans in the loop with snippets of the songwriting process on social media.