The self-proclaimed "Cure for the Common Label," Small Town Records, released its first compilation CD at a party at Alivia's Durham Bistro Thursday night as part of its effort to reshape the Duke music scene.
Senior Steven Sunmonu, compilation album coordinator for Small Town Records-the University's student-run record label/recording studio and a subsidiary of the Duke University Union-said he saw the event as an opportunity to showcase the album he put together with Duke student talent.
"This isn't to promote Small Town Records per se, but to promote Duke musicians," said Sunmonu, who is looking to go into the music industry. "We want to be a tool and a resource for Duke students."
He said he feels that with bands such as Stella by Starlight and Smooch and the Big Hug, the Duke music scene has too much talent to do anything but flourish. Sunmonu added that he hopes Small Town Records will grow into a media group in the future and encourage not only Duke musicians but the entrepreneurial spirit of the University.
"The Duke music scene as a whole is whacker than other schools I've been to," said sophomore Mike Posner, a Duke student musician who performed what he called his "Jack Johnson meets hip-hop" songs at the record release party.
Already a well-known artist in Michigan after releasing an album, he said he has visited colleges where there were parties packed with people listening to his record. He added that he is thankful to Small Town Records for giving him the opportunity to showcase himself and make a similar impact at Duke.
"This event is crazy, a thousand free CDs, open bar," Posner said, "Small Town is amazing."
Posner added that he hopes with his performance and the release of his track on the compilation album, students will know who he is.
He said he is currently writing songs with his guitar player, freshman Jeff Oh, recording with Small Town Records this Spring and is trying to release something before the summer.
The students who attended the release party said they were excited about the growing music scene in the area.
Senior Sean Murnane, who attended Duke's Battle of the Bands Saturday, said he was glad to have another opportunity to listen to local music and take home a free sample.
"I like the Duke music scene," Murnane said. "I woke up just to see Stella play last week, and I'm happy to see them again."
Sunmonu said he hopes the record release will become an annual occurrence and that Small Town Records will become a permanent fixture in Duke student media.
But some students like senior Paul Verheggen said the event did not live up to their expectations.
"It seems cool from the outside, but then I got there and the open bar was over," he said.
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