For University alumnus Dan Bartage, making music can be described as his carpe diem, or seizing an opportunity.
This moment was when he formed a band named The Fence Climbers which has released its first studio album this week recorded locally at Sockit Studio.
Bartage graduated with a degree in English and philosophy, however, with a music background from a young age and several University music courses under his belt, he said he knew music was something his life needed.
“For me that’s what music is. It’s something that I can pursue,” Bartage said.
Bartage said when he decided to put a band together, he looked to his brother Ben Bartage first. Ben, another University alum, said he’s played drums since seventh grade and when Dan was looking for musicians he was the first to volunteer,
For the other members, Dan placed fliers around campus in search of musicians of all types to join.
Fence Climber’s trombone player, Matt Breuer said he found a flier before he graduated. He said he wanted a new, musical outlet opposed to what he did in classes and suggested a horn section to Dan. Dan agreed and Breuer said himself and the trumpet player started writing horn accompaniments to Dan’s music.
Now Fence Climbers has become a band of all different sounds including horns, drums and electronic keyboard.
This instrumental combination has created a sound that can only be described as The Fence Climbers.
Ben said while himself and other band members make suggestions, Dan is the main creative source and the music is a reflection of Dan’s style. Ben adds a blues and classic rock influence to its sound, but he said Dan then adds an indie rock side.
Dan said when composing music for The Fence Climber he used the teaching he’s received from late Shreveport music teacher, Eddy Kozak.
“He had a way of communicating about music as an art form like music is all about attention and resolution. So a lot of the songs they kind of employ that,” Dan said.
But the vision doesn’t stop at the sound. Dan also wanted to create a message with the band’s name and album title.
“The Fence Climbers. I wanted that to be the album title. I wanted that to illicit a sense of freedom, of sort of doing something you’re not supposed to do, breaking the rules,” Dan said.
The Fence Climbers album is now available for purchase online at DanBartage.com/music. The record also includes a track with a feature of Baton Rouge rapper Lil’ Witness.
While all of the band’s members have graduated and are now currently in other places, Dan said moving forward he wants to focus on licensing and possibly a regional and then east coast tour. Breuer said rehearsing and recording is more difficult with the physical distance, but through the use of travel and online software The Fence Climbers is still able to pursue its vision.