·      Name: Zach Blumenfeld

·      Hometown: Lincolnshire, IL

·      Major: Psychology and Philosophy

·      Year: Junior

·      What song did you play today? – “I Know Zero Girls”

• Name: Lauren Miller
• Hometown: Seattle, Washington
• Major: Political Science
• Year: Senior
• What song did you play today? – “Don’t Strike Twice”

• Tell me a little about how you came to write the song.  What inspired you? – Last spring, a huge storm hit Vanderbilt’s campus. My friends and I were watching the lightning outside and it struck nearby our dorm. I am terrified of storms and how close the lightning had come, so my friend calmed me down by saying lightning never strikes the same place twice. The next day when I sat down to write, the phrase was still in my head and an idea was born!

• What will you do with the five free hours of studio time if you win? Record more demos to take to Music Row!

• What is your favorite thing about the RVU Records studio? – The overall positive experience provided by the engineers.

• What is your favorite thing about playing music? – It’s ability to inspire others as well as yourself!

• Name: Collin Labak
• Hometown: south of Chicago
• Major: Neuroscience and Cognitive Studies
• Year: Junior
• What song did you play today? – “Is She”

• Tell me a little about how you came to write the song. What inspired you? – The song was not based on a true story. Collin likes to create short narratives, and this song is a falling out-of-love tale. “Is This” is one of five songs to be on his EP.

• What motivated you to enter the RVU Records original song competition? – Free recording

• Favorite thing about RVU Records studio? – The soundboard

• What is your favorite thing about playing music? – Gives me the chance to be someone I’m not, because usually I’m introverted

• Name: Scott Revey
• Hometown: Alameda, CA
• Major: NPH, Global Health
• Year: Graduate student
• What song did you play today? – While We’re Young

• Tell me a little about how you came to write the song.  What inspired you? – This was inspired by a girl who runs Thistle Stop Café.  I hang out there a lot, and she was telling me she was excited about her marriage to her longtime boyfriend.  They had been in interaction for over a decade and now they were getting married at 25 or so.  At the time, I had just gone on a third date, and she thought there was something there, and thinking about Courtney’s story, it totally wasn’t there.  There’s also a whole spiritual thing there…because they found that relationship, they can contribute to society.

• What motivated you to enter the RVU Records original song competition?  – I want to play Rites!  I love playing festivals, that’s my thing.  I saw Prince at Coachella, and that was sick, but I don’t want to watch festivals, I want to play festivals!  I want to be around other artists.  Those are the coolest interactions.  I want to be a part of the songwriting and music community here.

• What will you do with the five free hours of studio time if you win? – I have an EP written and ready to go! I want to track live.

• What is your favorite thing about the RVU Records studio? – I really like the room!  It’s unassuming… you don’t even know it’s here, but once you step inside, there’s a vibrant community.  I like small studios.

• What is your favorite thing about playing music? – Honestly, I feel like I’m in outer space when I kick in that intro.  That riff puts me somewhere magical.