Preparations for the Commercial Music Showcase began late September, and the School of Music is ready to show off.
After live auditions and callbacks, four artists have been chosen to take the stage: Kenzie Palmer, Weathered Souls, Mignon Grabois and Cole Thannisch.
“It’s a really big collaborative effort,” said Thannisch, a senior and the showcase’s closing performer.
Thannisch is a pop-rock act from Alpharetta, Georgia. Stylistically, the up-and-coming artist is a cross between Coldplay, Muse and Queen, he said.
Graduating this coming May as a commercial voice major with a double minor in music business and songwriting, Thannisch is ready to pursue the industry from all directions.
His setlist for the Commercial Music Showcase includes three original songs: “Take You Out,” “Stockholm” and “Moving On.”
While each act arranged at least one song for the showcase, Thannisch decided to arrange all three pieces, which involve a six-piece string section, a 13-person choir and a full band.
“I’d rather not be a starving artist. I love producing, composing and arrangement,” said Thannisch, who is also working on a choral piece for Belmont University Singers.
From successfully auditioning as a freshman for Belmont’s exclusive pop-rock ensemble, Phoenix, to reaching the contracting phase on “The Voice,” to interning at Hummingbird Productions, Thannisch has been stubbornly navigating his way into the music industry.
“It’s not what you know; it’s who you know, and I think that’s obvious,” said Thannisch, “The great thing is that students here are future head executives in the music industry.”
After working with image consultants, recording on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and receiving feedback from William Morris Endeavor, the performers are ready to put on an immense production.
“All the artists are amazing. They are into the music and they are great at what they do,” said Thannish.
In tandem with the showcase, Thannisch will be releasing his EP on Monday.
The commercial music showcase will be held at the Massey Performing Arts Center at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 1. There is no charge for admission.
If you can’t catch him at the showcase, Thannisch will co-headline a double EP release show show with James Hatem and The Transfers on Feb. 29 at The High Watt.
This article was written by Courtney Bellush.