By Parker Leipzig
The Terrapin Record Label is back — back in person, back on stage and back to thrilling University of Maryland students with concerts.
The label returned to showcasing the musical talents of UMD students at the NextNow Fest Sept. 17. Now, TRL plans to hold more events to give students back the culture and experience that comes with live music.
Senior computer science and finance major Luke Amato and his band, The Missing Peace, headlined the NextNow Fest. Amato said the band gained a ton of followers and new listeners on social media just after that show. Plus, they sold some of their merchandise to fans at the event.
“It was the type of energy that we know happens surrounding live performances and what the music scene can be for young artists but something that we had never seen before in the past couple years,” Amato said. “And it was great to see all of those artists come together and garner attention.”
While online only for the past year and a half due to the pandemic, the club struggled with recruiting new members and member retention, according to Community Outreach Director Paul Servary.
But Servary, a senior communications major, said neither is a problem this year. After the First Look Fair, more than 100 new members signed up.
Servary said musical events draw the most new members, but TRL is also trying to make the weekly meetings more appealing by including guest speakers. The club is planning to host an acoustic indie-songwriter show for Oct. 15 and a Halloween concert costume event for Oct. 29.
Booking gigs is one way the label supports its artists.
Angie Faieq, the label’s event coordinator, is in charge of arranging performances. The senior Spanish and international relations major organized the mixed-genre showcase at NextNow Fest for seven artists, including some TRL newcomers and some longtime members.
TRL also recently held a smaller event at The Hall CP, where two artists performed for the restaurant’s brunch customers.
Faieq said she thinks TRL stands out from other music-focused clubs on campus because it offers a role for everyone — no matter what part of music one may want to pursue.
“I am not musically inclined, and I didn’t know if I would find a way to be involved in our club. But there’s always something to do, no matter what you’re skilled at, no matter what your interests are,” Faieq said.
The label offers leadership opportunities for people looking to venture into the music industry and gives artists a starting point amid a new era in which musicians do not need a record deal to gain recognition, Amato said.
“TRL is just a product of people feeling lost in the College Park music scene,” Amato said. “It’s just a bunch of students coming together to say that we want something that’s more robust and really is a hub for all the different artists.”
Featured photo: Luke Amato and Nicolas Pascale perform at NextNow Fest 2021. Both are members of the Terrapin Record Label. Photo courtesy of Luke Amato.