Most of us are probably just casual listeners when it comes to music, only going as far as to play the air guitar with our headphones on.
On the flipside, Sarah Kapilow, a CAS freshman majoring in audio technology, goes above and beyond to perform those glorious beats in front of a crowd of strangers. Kapilow is an accomplished singer-songwriter.
“Music has been in my life since I was born, especially since my dad is a classic composer,” Kapilow said.
Beginning with guitar at age 10, Kapilow then took up the piano and bass guitar. At 14, she joined her first band. She then formed the band Leighton with a few of her friends back in her native New Jersey, playing various gigs and self-releasing songs.
In terms of genre, she considers her band’s music to be pop punk, while her current solo work is more acoustic indie rock.
Her musical inspirations include Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie, Alexi Murdoch and Haley Williams from Paramore.
Kapilow performs both original songs and covers. The latter is mostly a “fun way to figure out my own style [and to] spark ideas,” she said.
Kapilow has been approached by labels before but she said, “it’s better to be self-sustaining. You control your own ticket [sales] and the production [process].”
Kapilow has been working on a solo album, due out around June.
She’s not stranded without help though; she’s received guidance from her department professors “[who] have been supportive [in] helping me develop my writing and recording.”
You can often find her in the practice rooms at Katzen or performing at Open Mic Nights hosted by WVAU.
She likes the creative environment at Katzen and hopes that, “[my] degree will expand my name and incorporate into my dream of running my own studio.”
She wants to see her current project eventually develop into new band. Fresh to D.C.’s music scene, she’s excited to visit the District’s concert venues.
Covers from Katy Perry to Mumford & Sons can be streamed on Kapilow’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/sarahkapilowmusic.
Stay tuned for more profiles of AU student musicians!
