It was like they never left. Andrew Oedel ’10, Matthew Addison ’10, Max Currier ’10, and Jon Markson ’12 set up on stage just as they had dozens of times last year, with Markson providing the audience with his usual pre-show banter as guitars were tuned and bass drums were kicked. Shake the Baron had returned for a special Founder’s Day concert to conclude the day’s (lackluster) festivities.
The band was extremely excited to return to Conn and play on their home turf. “I always enjoy going back to Conn,” remarked Addison. “It’s where we started as a band, so it’s nice to go back to the birthplace. Plus, we get to see students who we’ve missed since graduating-so that’s always great.”
Their set was familiar, but the Barons sounded tighter than ever, playing old favorites like “Sinking Sailor” and “Tree House” while showing off some new tricks and licks. There was a small but enthusiastic crowd bopping along to the melodies, enjoying the songs for the first time in a sober state of mind. I caught up with these sons of Connecticut College and found out how the alums among them are faring after leaving our bubble.
Oedel, Currier and Addison moved into a three-bedroom apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn in October of 2010. Conveniently, the apartment is fortified with a soundproofed basement to practice in. “It’s awesome to not have to pay for a practice space, which in New York costs a disgusting amount of bucks,” said Oedel. “And nobody has bucks these days.”
The guys have been able to focus more on their music as a result, which has undoubtedly made their sound more polished. Markson remarked, “moving to a new scene and playing to different types of people has forced us to differentiate ourselves from the Brooklyn scene and really craft our own sound. We like to think that things about our stage presence and writing style distinguishes us from the hordes.”
Aside from playing bubble-alt tunes on the reg, the members of Shake the Baron all have real jobs now. Oedel works at a performing arts venue in Brooklyn called Galapagos Art Space where he books artists and deals with production logistics. Addison works at a café and “nighttime lounge” in SoHo in Manhattan. Currier does writing and sales for a Chinese importing company.
The Barons love New York, too. “I’m really loving my new life out in New York. Coming from the super suburban Warwick, Rhode Island, I’m able to find constant stimulation and excitement just walking around the city, our neighborhood, wherever,” said Addison. This walking around has apparently been extremely inspirational. “We’ve been writing so much new music it’s hard to keep track of it all,” said Oedel. “The next steps are putting that together, producing a new album, and playing as many shows as possible.” Markson described the new material as “neat.”
It was great to see the band back at Conn. Word on the street is that they’re headlining Floralia, so we will be seeing more of Shake the Baron in the very near future. •
