Student spotlight: Joe Bevilacqua

"Being up on stage and playing music for others… is a really good feeling," said freshman Joe Bevilacqua. Joe was born on July 19, 1991 in Newton, Mass. and he currently lives in Walpole, Mass. Joe can say something many of us cannot: He is a musician in a band.

Joe brought his passion and talent to Franklin Pierce to obtain a degree in communications, in which field Joe said the career options are endless. He is involved in many activities here at Franklin Pierce that deal with communications. Joe is the director of photography on the Executive Board of PMG Online, a member of the FP TV 25, and a member of PAC. Joe also has his own radio show on WFPC-LP 105.3 FM and is a new member of the Franklin Pierce Fire Department. Regular freshman classes and communications classes occupy his school day. If you thought all of his activities and classes were enough, there's more.

Joe is the bassist and vocalist of a band based in Massachusetts called "Semester Abroad." Joe is one of two members: himself and sixteen year old Tyler Reardon. Tyler has been playing and writing songs for almost two and a half years now. This past February Joe joined him and played a few shows. Let's just say it went very well, and the pair soon became known as Semester Abroad. The name came from a Brand New song called "Jude Law and a Semester Abroad."

Joe and Semester Abroad mainly play acoustic sets with programming. They now have a new drummer and will be a full band soon. Their genre is heavily pop, with rock and indie mixed in. Instruments included in the band are guitar, vocals, bass, percussion, and programming. Joe plays bass, sings, and sets the live program. On the side, Joe plays the drums and sings, a lot. Joe is always singing and is a better singer than people know. Joe said, "I can sing anything, as long as it's not ridiculous."

Along with singing and playing instruments, Joe also writes songs. He loves performing and making music for others to hear. "Being up on stage and playing music for others, the feedback we get from crowds, playing and hearing our music is a really good feeling… I write for others to hear," says Joe. "My favorite song we've written is 'Best I've Ever Had.' I'm so excited about it, and the feedback has been great! My favorite song to perform is 'Anywhere But Here.' That is THE Semester Abroad song. Everyone who knows Semester Abroad knows it. It was re-recorded on the new EP."

Semester Abroad has one old EP out called "Streetlights." Their four-song debut EP, "The Dreams We Had," will be out by late October or early November. Their label is Check Minus Records and they have two big shows coming up on September 26. One is a showcase for a new label that might sign them called All About Records, and the second is in Weymouth, Mass. with Sparks the Rescue and Lannen Fall. They had a successful tour this past summer called "Ghostbustour." The band played in Massachusetts, Maine, R.I., Vt., Conn., Pa., and N.J. Joe said, "we are currently booking our winter tour for over Christmas break!"

Behind all of the fun of being in a band, there is a lot of hard work and dedication that needs to be put in to make it work. "Money, lots of money," goes into making and keeping up a band. Money was not the only thing though. Joe continued by saying, "once you play your first show, and you're good, you don't have to practice- that's not true. You have to keep practicing, and you are constantly coming up with new ideas for songs. We also have to keep the Myspace updated and keep responding and talking to fans." Joe also said that it is really hard when you are not on tour because people forget about you. Myspace helps fans communicate and be constantly updated by bands. "500 people are added every day to our Myspace. If 100 people add you, then 20 people talk to you and I love it! Myspace is a marketing technique."

The fans and music keep Joe going, devoted, and inspired. "Local bands that I grew up listening to and seeing live inspire me… In middle school I went to shows and saw bands that are successful today, like Four Year Strong." Joe loves all kinds of music. "I love everything, except country, but everything else… hardcore, rap sometimes, R&B, acoustic, local live music, anything catchy with a good rhythm. I'm not a hard person to musically entertain." But when it comes to bands, Joe is picky. "I only follow a few bands faithfully, like: A Day to Remember, Saosin, Asteria, Blink 182, Cute Is What We Aim For, Four Year Strong, Lannen Fall, A Loss for Words, The Receiving End of Sirens, Stay, and I'm a huge Beyonce fan." Joe is truly passionate about music and it surrounds his entire life.

Joe is a friendly, outgoing person who is passionate and determined about his career and dedicated to his band. "I'm a very approachable person. I love meeting new people. It's important to be personable when you're in a band," Joe explained. "You need to communicate with fans, and talk with them. I can be best friends with someone in fifteen minutes. Come say hi!"

You can check out Joe's band, music, pictures, and tour dates at Myspace.com/semesterabroadma

Follow on Twitter: Joe Bevilacqua, Tyler Reardon, or Semester Abroad

Or become a Fan on Facebook: Semester Abroad