Xavier Hall is usually just a place where 180 first-year students live and learn. For two of those students, Matt Juliano and Justin Sloyer, it is also a place to express their musical talents in their own professional recording studio.
“I have all the equipment that a real recording studio has, software and all,” Sloyer, freshman criminal justice major, said. “I have spent a lot of time gathering all my equipment over the past year and total we have about $3,500 worth of equipment.”
“I love to sing and play the guitar,” Juliano, freshman communication major, said. “Music is my passion.”
Although Juliano and Sloyer did not know each other before coming to school, they were in for a surprise when they both realized the parts they would soon play in what they would call their “business.” Juliano and Sloyer both have specific roles in the recording process.
“The role I play in this is pretty much the forerunner. I run everything and make sure all the equipment is there and working properly,” Sloyer said. “I also handle all business aspects of it but I normally do not edit anything.”
“My role is basically to record and I love getting to use the resources that we are so grateful to have,” Juliano said.
Together the two of them become a team of talented recorders and producers.
“It’s not unusual to see Matt playing his guitar and singing his original songs all around campus,” Amy Rodden, sophomore sociology major, said. “Justin plays the guitar and is very business-savvy. Together Matt and Justin have offered to help other students at Cabrini explore their own musical talents by encouraging people to record their work.”
Living with the constant noise that results from having a recording studio is a hard thing to deal with for the other people living in the same area. Juliano and Sloyer have a third roommate who understands and generally enjoys the novelty of having a recording studio right in his living quarters.
“Living with two roommates is sometimes hard but it works out because we all have the same interest: music,” Brandon Mazepa, freshman elementary education major, said. “Even though Matt and Justin can sing and play instruments and I can’t do either, I still enjoy listening and helping them.”
Juliano and Sloyer are taking their talents beyond recreation. The two students are using their studio professionally in hopes of making it into the music business.
“I’m not exactly a part of their business but I would like to help them in any way I possibly can,” Mazepa said. “I think it’s a great idea because there is nowhere on campus that offers this type of experience and it’s rather cheap too.”
Although they hope to charge a fee for the use of their recording studio, Juliano and Sloyer have allowed some of their friends to use their equipment. Maria Mulrine, freshman marketing major, was one of them.
“On the third day of school, Matt came knocking on my door to come down and record mandolin for one of their songs. It was a little difficult with six people crowded around in a little dorm room, not making a sound, with post-its stuck on the door outside saying ‘Quiet, Recording in Process,’” Mulrine said.
“Just coming to Cabrini I knew that I would encounter other musicians, but I never dreamed I would have neighbors a few doors down that were not only musicians but also had the equipment and knowledge to set up a recording studio right in their dorm room,” Mulrine, said.
Juliano and Sloyer want nothing more than for people to enjoy the music they produce and allow others to experience the ability to record as well.
“In order to get the word out about their recording studio they have flyers posted around campus with their numbers on them,” Rodden said. “This way people can contact them and set up a time.”
The musical talent in Xavier can be found beyond the dorm room of these two students. Several students have arrived at Cabrini with the interest of music and through their experiences with other talented people, the passion has been instilled. Out of all of the Living and Learning Communities, the Voices of Justice Living and Learning Community seems to have the most musically talented students.
“It’s actually very odd to walk into our hallway and not be welcomed by some form of music,” Rodden said.
“The best part about doing music is you can do whatever you want with it,” Sloyer said. “You can express yourself in many different ways and it always appeals to the masses.”
