It’s only been a couple of weeks since HU Radio and Programming Board teamed up to bring Hamline its second annual Winter WonderJam concert. This year introduced a wide range of musical styles, from indie and pop all the way to hip-hop and alternative. The openers, Step Rockets and Yonas, along with the headlining band, Smallpools, welcomed just over three hundred people to Hamline’s Anderson Center on Feb. 21. Before the show had even started, volunteers and reporters got a chance to sit down with the artists, take some pictures and talk shop.

The first in the lineup was with Sean (keyboard and lead vocals), Beau (drums), Joe (bass guitar) and Mike (guitar), the members of Smallpools, coming to us all the way from Los Angeles, California. All members were very open and willing to talk and goof around, claiming that there was nothing that they loved more about performing, other than the music itself, than seeing the fans out in the crowd singing along word for word. While they have been around since 2013, the band is finally able to release their first album, “Lovetap!”, on March 24, including originals such as “Dreaming” and “Mason Jar,” while also showcasing newer songs like “Killer Whales.” After taking a couple of months off from touring with bigger bands like Neon Trees and Walk the Moon, Hamline had the privilege of showcasing Smallpools for their first concert of 2015. Luckily for them, this is not their last time in the Twin Cities this year. On May 14, they will be playing in Minneapolis at the Triple Rock, so go get your tickets now!

Next in the lineup was Yonas, a musical artist all the way from New York City. In talking with him, he described his style as a fusion of many different genres. While it tends to be heavily hip-hop, he infuses pop and world music into every performance. He believes in reaching every person emotionally with his work, which is why he tries to include many different varieties. Yonas puts his whole heart into his music and advises any aspiring musicians to do the same. It takes a lot of time, energy, and heart to make people love it as much as you do. If proof was in the numbers, he has released two albums, two EPs, and three mixtapes since 2010. This spring his is set to release his first EP in just over a year and he claims that it is going to be one of his best pieces of work yet.

And last, but certainly not least, we met the Step Rockets, comprised of Anthony, Brady, Johnny and Josh, hailing from our neighbor Minneapolis. The band claims to be a mixture of indie rock and alternative pop rock, but have been featured on local stations like the Current, while also playing on Band Camp, Spotify, and iTunes. Though their hit song “Kisser” has been out and playing for a while, Step Rockets and their newest single, “Turning Tides (By Your Side)” just hit the airwaves a few days before the concert at Hamline. On April 10 at the local Turf Club and May 30 at Fine Line Music Café, Step Rockets will be showcasing all of their music, both old and new.

        If you are interested in purchasing tickets for any of the upcoming performances, go to http://www.steprockets.com for the Step Rockets, and http://www.smallpoolsmusic.com for Smallpools. If you have any suggestions or want to help with the planning and facilitation of next year’s Winter WonderJam, contact hupb@hamline.edu or hamlineradio@gmail.com.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Cole Mayer