The MSc Band is the official band for TU Delft MSc students. Next month they’ll perform at Café Luniz.”I can’t live without music,” said Damian Danchenko from the United States, the MSc Band’s bass player.
His fellow band members include vocalist Andrés Billoso (Venezuela), drummer Rutger Kok (Dutch) and guitarist Micha Barankin (USA).
When Danchenko arrived on the TU campus two years ago, he stated searching for musical activities on campus. “Coincidently, at that time the MSc band was looking for new members,” says Danchenko, a physics major. “So I auditioned and joined the band.” Shortly thereafter, Billoso, who studies mechanical engineering, joined the band as vocalist. Although he has never been a singer, he does have a musical pedigree: He’s been playing piano since age seven, started playing guitar at 15, and says, “my mother is a singer too.”
As a band, it’s not easy for Danchenko, Billoso, Barankin, and Kok to find common musical ground. “I like rock more”, said Danchenko. “But Andrés likes Latin and Micha likes Ska.” Fortunately, these differences were overcome by choosing rock as their base. “We play rock and we play what people like,” Danchenko says, mentioning bands like Foo Fighters and Live. “So far we’ve just played covers. We haven’t played any original tunes yet.”
For Danchenko and Billoso, joining the MSc band has been an enjoyable and refreshing experience. It helps them escape from their tiring academic schedules. “For me, the band is the thing I do that’s not related to my study,” Billoso says. Their Sunday practice sessions at TU Delft’s Cultural Centrum are fun times for them, and together they decided which songs to play. “Usually one of us comes in and says, ‘Hey, I’d like to play this song. What do you think?'” Billoso says.
Since the MSc Band was founded four years ago, the band members have changed regularly, coming and going as MSc courses begin and end. Soon, change will come again, as Danchenko and Billoso are set to graduate this year. Danchenko: “Until now we don’t have any plans to stay together as a band after we’ve finished our MSc course.” Billoso sees graduation as a good thing for the regeneration of the band.
The band has no plans to make a serious record. “I’d like to make good record, but it’s too expensive and takes a lot of time,” says Danchenko
Until now, Danchenko and Billoso have performed in public with the MSc Band three times, and each time was a memorable experience, the audience screaming ‘We want more! We want more!’ at the end of the shows. They’re expecting the same great atmosphere at their upcoming performance at Luniz Café. “We’ll be playing rock songs, but we won’t tell you now which songs we’ll perform. But don’t worry, we’ll play and you’ll have fun!” Billoso says. “Anyone who wants to get away after a week of studying and come hear some good live music…Luniz is the place!” Danchenko says. “And it’s free entrance!” Belloso adds.
The MSc-band will perform at Cafe Luniz on the April 4th, from 21.00 till 03.00.
The MSc Band is the official band for TU Delft MSc students. Next month they’ll perform at Café Luniz.
“I can’t live without music,” said Damian Danchenko from the United States, the MSc Band’s bass player. His fellow band members include vocalist Andrés Billoso (Venezuela), drummer Rutger Kok (Dutch) and guitarist Micha Barankin (USA).
When Danchenko arrived on the TU campus two years ago, he stated searching for musical activities on campus. “Coincidently, at that time the MSc band was looking for new members,” says Danchenko, a physics major. “So I auditioned and joined the band.” Shortly thereafter, Billoso, who studies mechanical engineering, joined the band as vocalist. Although he has never been a singer, he does have a musical pedigree: He’s been playing piano since age seven, started playing guitar at 15, and says, “my mother is a singer too.”
As a band, it’s not easy for Danchenko, Billoso, Barankin, and Kok to find common musical ground. “I like rock more”, said Danchenko. “But Andrés likes Latin and Micha likes Ska.” Fortunately, these differences were overcome by choosing rock as their base. “We play rock and we play what people like,” Danchenko says, mentioning bands like Foo Fighters and Live. “So far we’ve just played covers. We haven’t played any original tunes yet.”
For Danchenko and Billoso, joining the MSc band has been an enjoyable and refreshing experience. It helps them escape from their tiring academic schedules. “For me, the band is the thing I do that’s not related to my study,” Billoso says. Their Sunday practice sessions at TU Delft’s Cultural Centrum are fun times for them, and together they decided which songs to play. “Usually one of us comes in and says, ‘Hey, I’d like to play this song. What do you think?'” Billoso says.
Since the MSc Band was founded four years ago, the band members have changed regularly, coming and going as MSc courses begin and end. Soon, change will come again, as Danchenko and Billoso are set to graduate this year. Danchenko: “Until now we don’t have any plans to stay together as a band after we’ve finished our MSc course.” Billoso sees graduation as a good thing for the regeneration of the band.
The band has no plans to make a serious record. “I’d like to make good record, but it’s too expensive and takes a lot of time,” says Danchenko
Until now, Danchenko and Billoso have performed in public with the MSc Band three times, and each time was a memorable experience, the audience screaming ‘We want more! We want more!’ at the end of the shows. They’re expecting the same great atmosphere at their upcoming performance at Luniz Café. “We’ll be playing rock songs, but we won’t tell you now which songs we’ll perform. But don’t worry, we’ll play and you’ll have fun!” Billoso says. “Anyone who wants to get away after a week of studying and come hear some good live music…Luniz is the place!” Danchenko says. “And it’s free entrance!” Belloso adds.
The MSc-band will perform at Cafe Luniz on the April 4th, from 21.00 till 03.00.
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