Last Friday, O Records — a student-run record label — put on a charity concert at O’Hill forum, showcasing its diverse and talented musicians in a casual but meaningful manner. The concert benefitted the Nicaraguan Orphan Fund.
Fourth-year Engineering student Elijah Innes-Wimsatt, the president of O Records, said this is the first time the record label has partnered with a philanthropic organization.
“I feel much more justified in inviting people to come since we’re benefitting something bigger,” Innes-Wimsatt said.
O Records used to be known as “Oluponya Records,” a predominantly R&B and hip-hop label.
“We decided to change the name to make it more recognizable and easier to pronounce,” Innes-Wimsatt said.
Since its founding, O Records has evolved into a more eclectic, singer-songwriter-based organization.
“Now [we] feature a wide range of music — jazz, big band, hip-hop, quasi-classical, folk,” Innes-Wimsatt said. “[The charity concert] is the most varied concert we’ve had.”
O Records gives a wide variety of musicians a musical outlet and networking opportunities. Fourth-year Engineering student Andrew Jordan, a drummer for the label, says some musicians later break off into groups and play at different venues for philanthropies.
“[O Records] has given me and other musicians contacts for other places to play,” Jordan says. “For me, it’s not just about playing music. It’s fun to play for other people.”
Director of Recording, third-year College student Tim Swartz, produces, plays bass and writes songs for the label.
“For people who aren’t in a capella or in orchestra, it’s hard to network and have performance opportunities,” Swartz said. “Having an on-Grounds opportunity is big.”
The label, like most CIOs at the University, also has a social aspect.
“Now, it’s my social network,” Innes-Wimsatt said. “[In high school], I never really played with anyone that was really dedicated — and everyone in this organization is very dedicated.”
O Records has also continued its efforts to become better established outside performances, releasing multiple CDs — two of which are on iTunes — and acquiring a studio recording space.
“We are trying to make [O Records] more professional in every way,” Swartz said. “It’s great to have a professional product to show people. It’s a great resource to have later in your career if you want to go into music.”
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