Switches are flicked, lights turn on, the band is set. After a quick review of the beat, junior Anthony Pabon grabs his bass and gets ready to play.
Pabon uses music as a way to spend time after school and also to express himself. It opens opportunities for him to share his thoughts, create stories and exercise his voice.
“For me, music has to be a story. You have to have depth because I focus on lyrics above everything. You find your melody, you find your lyrics and create,” Pabon said.
Pabon uses details from things he has gone through to create songs with feelings behind them and emphasizes personality in his works. He is now part of a band called Mood Indigo, named after a Frank Sinatra song. His older brother is also in this band, where Pabon plays the bass. Much of his family is involved in music, and he feels that he was raised to have musical interest. Especially because his grandfather was a musician, he gained much of his inspiration from home.
Junior Keneh Ejike, one of Pabon’s friends, shares his interest in music. He and Pabon often give each other mutual feedback when it comes to their music. Ejike was originally inspired by his brother to start creating music, and he said that he has a buildup of songs that he plans to release.
“People outside of your friend group can be more honest, and if they think it’s trash, they’ll say it to your face,” Ejike said. “A lot of my songs are about life, how you live, lifestyle and especially your upbringing and childhood.”
Pabon noted that getting inspiration was vital to the process, whether that be something he is passionate about, a current struggle or even just how his day went. Lastly, Pabon writes lyrics to place over the beat and to explain the message of the song.
“Make it personal. You have to make it you,” Pabon said. “I just try to maintain it with some feeling in it.”
