Self Titled

All three members of the band Self Titled went to Walpole High School—Jess Gromada and Glynnis Brennan graduated with the Class of 2012 and Ali Ajemian with the Class of 2013. They were all involved with music programs during their time at WHS.

After meeting in high school, all three enrolled in college and went on hiatus. They reunited this spring and have been releasing covers of songs. Despite conflicting schedules, they wrote five songs so far and are recording their first EP.

“As long as you’re having fun and you like the music you’re making, then that’s all that really matters,” said Gromada.

“We make it work,” says Brennan, despite the all-female group’s struggle to be taken seriously amidst the sexism in the music industry. Brennan advises students who are interested in music to take chances. Self Titled is ready to take chances too, as they seek to play more shows and release their first EP.

Self Titled’s latest EP can be found at http://bandselftitled.bandcamp.com/.

Maria Earabino

After graduating in 2014, Maria Earabino decided to focus on her passion and talent for music. In high school, Earabino was involved in musical activities such as coffeehouses, music classes, and the Film Festival. 

“[WHS] is without a doubt the reason I am the musician I am today…anywhere else, I definitely would not have had the opportunities I did,” she said. 

Earabino now spends time writing, practicing, recording, and playing new content. The time she has taken off from school has helped her lyrics become deeper and more raw, she says. 

Despite all of her progress, though, she still faces obstacles. “The hardest part of this journey is the constant rejection and judgment I’ve received…for following what I really want to do. It’s been a lot to take in,” she said.

Even as she faces doubt, Earabino’s level of comfort with music—she has been playing piano and singing since childhood—keeps her grounded. 

Her latest EP can be found on her Bandcamp, online at http://whynox.bandcamp.com/.

FIRE|DRIVE

Although Delaney Morrissey, Molly Millette (WHS Class of 2015), and Haley Senft did not participate in music programs at their high schools, they have been passionate about music for years. However, since enrolling in college, the band members have committed themselves to their music, recently releasing their first EP and making plans to tour.

FIRE|DRIVE writes from their personal experiences, as the trio struggles with family and friends who are less than supportive, gaining inspiration from their surroundings and the bands they grew up listening to—staples including Paramore and PVRIS. 

“It is really hard to stay positive about it when you have those negative voices trying to beat you down,” said Morrissey.

Millette stressed the importance of staying true to oneself.

“Don’t waste your time being unhappy,” they said. “I know it’s hard and it feels like you can’t, but just be yourself…people will follow.”

FIRE|DRIVE’s first EP can be found on their Bandcamp at http://firedriveband.bandcamp.com/.

Bay Faction

Bay Faction members James McDermott, Kris Roman, and Connor Godfrey (WHS Class of 2013) did not know each other before starting their band. The latter two responded to a post by McDermott looking for local musicians in late 2013. Since then, the band has solidified its identity as an innovator in the Boston indie rock scene. All three members attend Berklee College of Music and take inspiration from Boston as well as the alternative and rock bands they admire.

Connor Godfrey is the only member of Bay Faction that attended Walpole High School, but he cites Falker as one of the reasons he chose to make music.

“[Falker] inspired me and is one of the reasons I chose to pursue music as a career,” said Godfrey, who enjoyed music from an early age and later played in the high school band.

Bay Faction’s last album, “Bay Faction,” can be found at http://bayfaction.com/.