The Underground Music Society gave bands like Sea Side Audio the chance to perform at Café au Lib to show off their talent among peers, which left them mesmerized as many students began to gather around the Café to watch bands perform.

By Michael A. Umaña |Staff Writer|

Underground music, underground society and books, how could any of these things come together in harmony here at CSUSB?

Thanks to the Underground Music society & Pfau Library, all three came together in the recent event “Books & Music” where student artists were given the opportunity to perform for other students in the  Café au Lib on Jan. 29, mesmerizing them with their guitars and vocals.

The show was put on to commemorate the re-opening of the Café au Lib.

Founder of Underground Music Society (UMS), Emmanuel Rodriguez described the purpose of creating events like “Books & Music” as a way to “connect music and knowledge.”

Rodriguez also went on to say that another reason why he created UMS was that he wanted to provide a platform of support for student artists here on campus where they could showcase their talent.

“Last year I was in a band and wanted to play on campus, but there wasn’t any way to do that,” said Rodriguez.

The event “Books & Music” attracted bands such as Sea Side Audio and The Street Lights. Both bands mesmerized the crowd during the event.

Students were left in awe of the talent these bands possessed, the more the bands performed the more students just walking by began to funnel in and gather.

Students like Christian Flores explained the reasons why they came to the event.

“I came into the library specifically for homework and was pleasantly surprised by the music and the vibe. [I] wish the place was bigger so more people could enjoy it. I look forward to seeing more of it on campus.”

The first band to perform was an alternative music group, “Sea Side Audio,” with members Gage, Rolando, Roland and Aaron who have been performing for four years.

They performed a set with songs like “Apartment,” “I got,” “She was mine,” “Couch Syrup,” and “Skinny Love.”

When asked about their start and what their goals are as a band, “Sea Side Audio” revealed that they first started at Cajon High School and have been playing together ever since.

They also admitted that their next step is to produce an album that will hopefully take the band to new heights.

Succeeding Sea Side Audio was the indie rock band  The Street Lights composed of Juan, Andy, Steven, and Jesse. The Street Lights have been performing together for five years.

In those five years they have performed at locations across the Inland Empire, all in hopes of one day making it big in the music industry.

Thanks to Underground Music Society who host events on a monthly base, student artists have the opportunity to show off the talents they possess.

The Underground Music Society urges any student artists who wish to perform in upcoming shows such as the “Local Artist Spotlight” to be held In The Pub on Feb. 13 and  March 13 from 12-2:00 p.m. Contact Underground Music Society at UndergroundMusicSociety77@Gmail.com.

The Underground Music Society truly embodies the idea of “building positive campus culture at CSUSB through artistic events. Being the change we wish to see in our community.”