Real Artists, Real Dreams: GC Students Make Their Music Happen

Published: April 13, 2021

Roll out the red carpet and get ready to rock, Zach Strout is in the building. The Greenville College sophomore released his first full length album Tuesday, March 9^th, after several months of hard work. The release followed a launch party at the Blackroom Caf on the Greenville College campus, where Strout performed a live concert.

With music that blends Folk and Indie styles, Strout strives "to marry a fraction of what is inside [his] heart and head with song and melody." His new album, Luggage Rack, features a variety of musicians, with instruments such as acoustic guitar, banjo, cello, harmonica and the piano. This debut album features 10 songs, which Strout hopes will resonate with the hearts of his fans. Strout claims the influence of artists such as Bebo Norman, John Foreman and Derek Webb; "anyone that is lyrically raw and amazingly creative." This group is vast, but "of the myriad of artists that have influenced [his] writing and playing styles, the few that really grab [him] are the ones who seem to blend their emotions and beliefs into the very music that makes its way to our ears." Although Strout has no ambitions of fame, he hopes to mirror this passion in his work. His initial love of music, however, was inspired by a less renowned, but equally important artist.

Strout, who hails from the town of East Waterboro, Maine, got his start in music at the young age of 10 singing specials with his mom in church. He then went on to land a lead role in his school's musical rendition of the "Nifty 1900's" during his 5^th grade year. Strout didn't pick up a guitar until his sophomore year in high school, but has been writing and playing nonstop ever since. During his first semester of college, Strout became a founding member of a band known as Ellery Grange. After performing various local shows, as well as completing a mildly successful two week tour of New York, Michigan and Illinois, the band amicably dissolved. However, this experience proved to be a valuable stepping-stone in the artist's individual career.

Strout is represented by Blackroom Records , a professional student-run recording company on the Greenville College campus. Founded in 2001, Blackroom Records seeks to provide exposure for songwriters, artists and musicians by giving them the opportunity to have their music recorded, distributed and marketed. The label is devoted to producing quality music, and as such seeks to develop its artists from the roots up.

Prior to the release, Strout was featured on The Gig, a student radio show on the College station WGRN . Host Derick Gregory interviewed Strout, offering listeners exclusive information on his album, as well as his personal journey as a musician. The show aired on Thursday, March 4^th, from 6:00 to 7:30p.m. WGRN also broadcasted Strout's CD release party live on March 9^th.

Blackroom Records, in partnership with the radio station, offered listeners the opportunity to receive a free copy of Strout's album. Blackroom Records also sponsored a 24 hour scavenger hunt, on Sunday March 7^th awarding prizes at Strout's release party.

For more information contact media@greenville.edu .