After an unexpected setback in plans and some last-minute scrambling, WBOR finalized its plans for the fall concert last Friday: Indie rock outfit Surfer Blood and alternative rapper Kreayshawn will perform tonight in Smith Union.
Although indie electronic musician Neon Indian—the stage name of Alan Palomo—was originally slated to come to Bowdoin with Kreayshawn (Natassia Gail Zolot), Palomo withdrew from his plans to perform at Bowdoin two weeks ago while the College was awaiting his signature on the contract for the event.
According to Assistant Director of Student Activities Silvia Serban, his signature was one of the last things needed to make his appearance binding.
"It was a shock," said Concert Manager Dave Raskin '13. "We're disappointed in the situation, but we don't know who to point fingers at."
WBOR Station Manager Will Pugh '12 said that Neon Indian was slated to perform at the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas the day after the WBOR concert and withdrew so he could arrive in Austin a day early.
The Office of Student Activities and WBOR had been working through Pretty Polly Productions since September to bring Palomo to campus.
Pugh said that it's quite rare for artists cancel peformances so late in the booking process at any venue.
He said WBOR returned to the drawing board shortly after hearing of the cancellation to figure out what other musicians they might be able to bring to campus on the same date.
Within days of Neon Indian's withdrawal, Pugh received a call from Pretty Polly saying that Surfer Blood was available for the show.
Pugh quickly presented the idea to the 15 concert managers, publicity managers, music directors, and programming directors that comprise WBOR management. The group responded positively and moved to make a bid to bring the group to campus.
"After people heard the name Neon Indian, we tried to pick something on the same level as him in terms of quality and notoriety," Raskin said.
It took a week and a half to finalize contracts with Surfer Blood.
Towards the end of the contract editing process, Pugh said, "There were bumps along the way, but, in the end, I think we'll have a better concert now than we would have had before. [Surfer Blood has] more name recognition and a fun kind of sound."
Although Raskin said he expects some people will be disappointed that Surfer Blood is coming to Bowdoin in Neon Indian's place, he felt that the same crowd would appreciate either act.
"Both Neon Indian and Surfer Blood are riding sounds that are reminiscent of older ones," Raskin said. "Neon Indian's aesthetic is very much a throwback to the '80s, to what were then cutting-edge sounds in music. Surfer Blood has kind of done that with surfer rock... They're more modern, fuzzier version of the same thing."
Although the group hails from Florida, Pugh said the group sounds as if it was inspired by acts from the West Coast. The group released a four-track EP this past Wednesday.
"With this new EP coming out...they're gaining a lot more momentum," Pugh said.
Raskin explained that WBOR sought out both Neon Indian and Surfer Blood to appeal to students who don't necessarily listen to Top 40 artists. Kreayshawn, on the other hand, was chosen for those who do.
The Oakland-based female rapper is well-known for her single, "Gucci Gucci," a song whose official YouTube video has racked up more than 24 million views to date.
"She's cool and she's come up from nothing," Raskin said. "Kraeyshawn's kind of fun because—in a lot of instances—people can get into her character as much as they can get into her music."
The NARPS will open the concert at 9 p.m., with Kraeyshawn to follow at 10 p.m., and Surfer Blood at 11 p.m. All acts will be performing in Morrell Lounge, Smith Union.