Music is a way to express yourself, relieve stress, or to have a good time. Everyone enjoys listening to music. Music is something that gets us through the day.

Most teenagers just listen to music. However, some teenagers, including Lane students, have taken the initiative to create music.

Michael Hardman

Lane alum Michael Hardman dove into his passion of music when he joined a hip hop club in 6th grade.

“I was hooked and obsessed with it at that point and that’s when I started writing raps,” Hardman said.

Since his first interest in music, Hardman has had four live performances up to date.

“So far it’s my favorite part about being an artist,” Hardman said.

During his time at Lane, he was recognized for his talent by the students, and even by some of the teachers.

“A few of my teachers supported what I was doing, and Mr. Comiskey had let me use one of his classrooms rehearse a show one time, which was nice of him,” Hardman said.

Since his days at Lane, Hardman has increasingly become more involved in his music. He has moved his music in a different direction.

“My music that’s out right now is all old and outdated.  The past year I have really evolved as an artist, I’m still “rapping” but it’s not conventional rapping, I have been blending genres,” Hardman said. A lot of my new music is more like rap-singing, it’s more melodic and layered.”

He has created music videos for his song “Anthony” and “New Day” that can be found on his youtube channel – Michael Hardman. A majority of the ideas for the videos come from Hardman. However, he receives help from his friend Sebastian Guerra, also a Lane alum.

“He directs, shoots and edits all of my videos, he is a big part in helping me manifest my vision,” Hardman said.

Currently, Hardman attends Santa Monica College, and has a lot more on his plate with balancing his coursework and music interests since his days at Lane.  However, he knows he wants a career in the music industry, and will work for it.

“It’s not really challenging; it’s all about prioritizing. I just go get my work done those three days I have class, then I get back to the music,” Hardman said.

Hardman is determined to achieve his goals. He has the music, the confidence, and the drive to push him to become a renowned rapper and create a new wave of music and energy within the music industry.

“The further I go the more I want to do. I’m talented, and I’m not going to just limit myself,” Hardman said.

The Lane alum is a supporter of Lane musicians who aspire to get involved into the music industry like he has.

“If you have a dream, a desire or a passion you wish to pursue, do it. You can get it done as long as you create and value your gift, and yourself.”

G.Ville

Gerardo Villanueva, Div. 677, is also an aspiring rapper, and goes by the name G.Ville. He has always been interested in music, especially rap.

“It was just a hobby I had with friends since the 7th grade. I started taking it more serious about a year ago,” Villanueva, Div. 677, said.

He gets his ideas mostly when he is on his own and has time to think. He does not have a specific process that he follows each time because there are so many ways to get the ideas flowing.

“I try and remember all lines I can come up with while riding my bike with headphones on,” Villanueva said.

In the end the work he puts in is worth it. Villanueva has performed live, and said it has been the best part about putting music out.

“Watching a lot of my friends have a good time, [and] performing in front of people that have no idea who you are is pretty fun,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva has created and put alot of music out. All of his music can be found on his soundcloud at G.Ville. Some recent songs that have received attention are “Chill Out” and “How U Do That”

Villanueva is still deciding on what he wants to major in college, but he does plan on creating more music in the future.

“My goals to achieve are simply to get better at making music, and find more ways to continue putting it out and getting it to more and more people,” Villanueva said.

Unspun

Will Harper, Div. 661, Sasha Salk, Div. 674,  Noah Todd, Div. 750, and Sam Villa, Div. 677, have taken the initiative this year to create their band Unspun. The band describes their style of music as “rocky fusion with a cold and unforgiving twist,” according to Harper.

They practice 1-2 times a week. They wish to practice more but school work and homework have to be prioritized.

The guys said they received a lot of help from some of Lane’s teachers especially Mr. Hudson, Mr. Flygt, and Mr. Sweet.

“Mr. Flygt is a very influential person for me. I’ve taken 1-2 classes of his every year in high school, and I can attribute nearly all of my musical success and daily motivation and positivity to him,” Salk, Div. 674, said.

Unspun have also performed live at Bucktown Arts Fest, Lane UnPlugged, Borelli’s, and the Lighthouse Tavern this past year.

“I felt accomplished when I saw a good crowd and I felt like it was our time to shine. Seeing family and friends made it all the more engaging, and it was awesome to know I was playing with some of the coolest guys I know,” Villa, Div. 677, said.

Since ¾ of the band will be leaving for college they plan to play through the summer and see where it takes them. Their goal is to get better and share their music with people who enjoy it.  Currently, Unspun have created three original songs called Brick by Brick PM, Brick by Brick AM, and Loose. They can be found on their soundcloud at Unspunband.