Rock Hunt Semifinalists: Wild Sun

Wild Sun entered the station Tuesday with a goofy energy characteristic of young bands that might make one question their legitimacy. But, don’t write off these Rock Hunt semifinalists just yet, for what this freshman band lacks in experience, they make up for in song and style. After band members Glenn Kendzia, Paul Fazil, and Cameron Raubeson had finally decided on who would sit where and had sipped from the disposable shot glasses of water that had been provided them by CJ, Glenn got out his guitar and played a piece of the song “Fishbowl Town” for a sound check. At that moment, all my internal judgments about the band were silenced. The song rang of a truth that is seldom heard. Since I was not locked out this time—in fact, I came so early that I found myself greeted by an empty station—I was actually able to see and experience everything. While waiting to go on air for their interview, the band joked while sitting back in their seats. The small town boys from Westerly, RI, were nervous. This was their first radio interview. Asking questions about how the radio interview would work, Cameron crossed his arms and Glenn sat up straight with his hands in his pockets while Paul looked down, fiddling with his bracelets. Moose chatted with them, making them feel comfortable. It was then revealed that Glenn and Cameron met in middle school. They were the only two in the back of the auditorium that did not want to be there. They met Paul two years ago. “He did a shot, and fell over. I thought, ‘This guy is awesome,’” Glenn explained. They have been a band for less than a year. Everything about the band screams of a happy accident. When not doing interviews and playing music, the wolf, tiger, and bear (their spirit animals) secretly enjoy “Party in the USA”, Machine Gun Kelly and one Jonas Brothers song—the name of which Paul couldn’t remember. Cameron admitted that he was the weakest link in the band: he can’t sing well. “I don’t think there are people doing it like we’re doing it.” Their album is “honest.” Their songs capture “small snippets of their lives” that are relatable. Though they are singing from a small town perspective, their songs can be meaningful to anyone from any background. They sing about people or that person that everyone has in their life. When Glenn sings, he feels it—the music, the song, the lyrics, the truth. You can tell that he sings of a deep and personal truth. Behind the jokes is someone who was meant to play music. The band has no set list for their shows, feeling their way from song to song and improvising extended versions. They’re definitely a band who still knows how to have fun in an age where music has become professionalized. You can catch the band Thursday, March 13th, 2014, at the Mardi Gras Multiclub for the WBRU Rock Hunt Semifinals at 9pm. Also performing are The Stilts and Paryah. Photos courtesy of WBRU Media Director CJ