What happens when you take one-part Barry Mills's nephew, one-part former Miscellania member, and a crowd of aurally curious Bowdoin students? With this evening's "Shameless Plugs" concert featuring Dan Mills and Samantha Farrell '05, the Entertainment Board (E-board), is hoping for a hit.
Co-President of the E-Board Chris Omachi said the "Shameless Plugs" project aims to showcase Bowdoin-related talent.
The brainchild of Megan Brunmier '08, student activities advisor to the E-board. Tonight's show will be the first in what the E-board intends to make into an annual showcase.
"This year, it happens to be President Mills' nephew [Dan Mills] and a Bowdoin graduate. In the future it could be more of the same, or perhaps current campus bands," Omachi said.
Dan Mills's most recent release, "Fiction in Photographs," is a ten-track feel-good compilation of both relaxing jazz tracks and more up-beat pop/rock tunes. Mills's influences, which include Bob Dylan, Martin Sexton and John Mayer, radiate through his own original arrangements.
With Bowdoin as just one of several venues on his "Fiction in Photographs" tour, Mills's next stop will be the Rockwood music hall in New York City on September 23. "Fiction in Photographs" can be downloaded on his web site, Danmills.net, on his Myspace music page, or on iTunes.
Samantha Farrell, a 2005 Bowdoin alumna and former member of Bowdoin's oldest female a cappella group, Miscellania, will also take the stage.
Tonight, she will be performing tracks from her recently released album, "Luminous." The album is a collaborative effort between its producer, the late Dave Matthews Band horn player, LeRoi Moore, and Farrell.
On Farrell's Myspace music page, Ben Evans, Executive Editor of "Fogged Clarity" wrote, "accented with lush strings and jazz piano, the spilled silk harmonies on the singer's second release ["Luminous"] complement, but never overpower, allowing Farrell to braid her vocals with an almost playful nuance."
Although Shameless Plugs is a new venture for the E-board, Omachi is confident that it will be well-received by the Bowdoin campus.
Unlike other E-Board productions, this program's aim is not just to highlight the talent of any singer-songwriter, but also to showcase the talents of two artists in or related to the Bowdoin community.
While Mills's relation to the College is quite obvious, the E-Board is fully responsible for booking him as part of the Shameless Plugs showcase.
"I had no idea he was coming to Bowdoin to perform," said President Mills. "It will be good to see him. He's a talented guy."
While Mills's relation to President Mills adds to the allure of the show, Mills is talented in his own right.
"We hope the fact that [Dan] is President Mills's nephew adds some appeal, but he is a very accomplished and talented musician regardless of his last name," said Omachi.
The release of "Luminous" coincides with Farrell's visit to Bowdoin. In addition to playing at "Shameless Plugs," she will be speaking in Lancaster Lounge at 3 p.m. today. Students interested in careers in music are encouraged to attend.
"Shameless Plugs," will be held tonight from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. in Pickard Theater, Memorial Hall. No tickets are necessary.