On April 24, Photoelectric Effect took to the MAC Pavillon to showcase their unique sound. The jazz fusion band, made up of four College of DuPage students, was given the opportunity after winning the 2015 Battle of the Bands, sponsored by Alter Ego Productions.

Bill Carrol, Austin Deadman, Trevor Hill and Glen O’Fallon met in the COD jazz band last year and have been playing together ever since. The decision to enter the battle was an easy one even though each group member was driven by a different prize. From the opportunity to play in front of their peers to the cash reward, there wasn’t an angle that didn’t sound beneficial.

The band was more than surprised to take the title, as they were under the impression a jazz band might not appeal to all students. Being crowned the champions set the base for future endeavors and solidified their dreams of growing as composers.

Photoelectric Effect has flirted with the idea of writing original pieces, officially completing four strong pieces.  As of now, their sets contain a variety of cover songs, but in the future, they hope to expand to a purely original show.

The band amounts their writing success to their classical training in music theory. “We understand the system,” said O’Fallon. “It allows us to be more creative and explore multiple avenues. We aren’t limited to one genre because we know the base of all.”

Although the band leans towards a jazz sound, they understands the pull of every type of music. This influences their drive to play.

“Music is a universal language,” said O’Fallon.

O’Fallon’s band members agree and explain that they find music to be a healing force for every ailment.

“It’s therapeutic to participate as a team, but it’s also easy to listen to music instead of stress,” said Hill.

The band, as many who have gone before them, hope their music can play a part in brightening someone’s day, or at the lease, brighten their own.

For more information on the band, visit www.facebook.com/photoelectricjazz.