Anyone who has taken
the time over the course of the semester to stop and look at flyers
posted in W.H. Plemmons Student Union or University Post Office
has undoubtedly seen Soulive’s name plastered over every conceivable
spot allotted for advertising. The two-month promotion campaign
is the work of Peter Van Schoick.
Van Schoick, a sophomore at Appalachian State University, has worked
tirelessly to get the word out on Soulive’s upcoming show,
presented by Appalachian Popular Programming Society (A.P.P.S.)
Stage Show Council, of which Van Schoick is currently chairperson.
While all A.P.P.S. shows are given a sufficient amount of promotion,
Van Schoick has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Starting
two months ago, Van Schoick began posting flyers daily. Three days
before the show, he walks through the student union greeting friends
in passing, only to turn back and ask “So I’ll see you
at the Soulive show, right?”
Tonight’s performance by Soulive will mark the Stage Show Council’s
final show of the semester.
“This is the biggest show we’ve done this year,”
Van Schoick said. “It’s sort of the culmination of everything
we’ve worked on up to now.”
While plastering campus with flyers and utilizing word-of-mouth
advertising helps to a degree, the real test of a band’s success
ultimately comes down to its music. In Soulive’s case, it succeeds
with flying colors.
The Boston-based group, comprised of drummer Alan Evans, younger
brother Neal Evans on Hammond B-3 organ, Wurlitzer and piano and
guitarist Eric Krasno, is poised to make a name for itself outside
of the world of independent music.
Earning praise from local newspapers across the country to major
publications, such as “High Times” magazine, Soulive has
proven to the critics that it can deliver not only on its albums
but in live performance as well.
On the group’s latest album, “Next,” Soulive seamlessly
incorporates the most engaging elements of all dance music. With
a backbone rooted in jazz, the group heads into the realms of hip-hop,
dub, old-school soul and funk.
To add to their credentials on “Next,” the group is joined
by Dave Mathews for a cover of the Ani Difranco song, “Joyful
Girl.” The album also includes the vocal talents of hip-hop
pioneer Talib Kweli.
After the group’s stop in Boone, Soulive will usher in the
New Year with an overseas tour of Japan.
With a solid band booked and a two-month promotion melee drawn to
a close, Van Schoick has nothing left to do except to wait and see
if his efforts worked.
“People who enjoy good music whether it’s the jam band
scene, or if they’re a jazz person or even a hip-hop fan will
enjoy this,” Van Schoick said. “Anyone who goes to this
show, their expectations will be exceeded.”
Tonight, Van Schoick will get to find out if he was right.
Soulive will be performing tonight at Legends. Tickets can be purchased
in advance. Doors open at 9 p.m. with music beginning at 10 p.m.
The show is B.Y.O.B. with a six-pack limit and valid ID. |
