Former Camper Noah Yastrow Still ROCKIN!!

Noah Yastrow was a long-time camper and CIT who developed his musical skills before our eyes each summer in bands such as Curious George and the Electric Fence, Post-Burrito Depression, and The Noah Yastrow Experience. Since his last camp summer in 2010 he has continued that musical development, as you will see. Check out Noah's guest blog discussing the influence that the camp experience had on his musical journey, and where he's at now!

NOAH YASTROW: It’s hard to imagine taking music as seriously as I do now without the Rock Band hobby. Summer after summer I was a part of something truly special. Whether it was perfecting covers or even writing original material (Fertig, you dog you), I was always involved in the Beber scene. For that I owe a great deal of gratitude to old friends like Nathan Fertig, Adam Becker, Spencer Tweedy, Madison Kommor, Nate Nager, and of course, Russell Wiener. You guys were some of my first bandmates and I appreciate each and every experience we shared together.

Now, I find myself writing music, recording, and booking tours. As college winds down and I await a degree in advertising and film, I still can’t imagine pursuing anything but music. With that said, I’m in the midst of starting a record label called Tegmental with some friends for which I’ll be managing Boston-area booking and promotion.

Currently, the most important part of my life is my band, Houseguests. I started Houseguests with my buddy Evan our freshman year in the dorms. We we’re playing mostly folk influenced music on two acoustic guitars. Since then, we’ve added two members, Graham on bass and Evan (ya, we’ve got 2 Evans, pretty cool huh?) on drums. All 4 of us sing, which is turning into something really special.

Houseguests has released two records, and we’re currently working on a 4-6 song EP to be released this spring. Our sound has evolved from folk to indie rock to heavier alternative with even some punk-y elements. Working with Graham and the Evans has allowed me to explore new musical bounds I never imagined even existed.

For the past 3 months I’ve been networking and making new connections while booking our first tour. This winter, Houseguests will be playing basements, bars, and venues from January 2nd - 18th. In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing our tour schedule so you can see if you’ll be able to come see Houseguests perform live this winter!

Here are some links to us and our music -
https://houseguests.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/houseguestsband

Again, I’d like to make my Beber family aware of how much I appreciate everything they did for my love of music. Without them, who knows, I may be studying accounting or something serious like that."

Guest Blog: Spencer Tweedy, former camper, current ROCK STAR!

Recently I asked former camper Spencer Tweedy to tell me a little about how his camp experience has played into his current gig of "professional musician."

He certainly talked about his camp experience, but being the low-key guy he is, didn't mention much about his current endeavors, so I'll do that real fast!

Spencer recorded an album with his dad Jeff Tweedy, released under the band name Tweedy. They played shows recently both in the U.S.A. but also a string of concert dates in Europe. It thrills me as the music director of camp, having known Spencer since he was 11, that he is on tour, recording professionally, and that I can hear songs that he played on when I turn on the radio in my car in LA. To find out more about Spencer's endeavors both with his dad, and his other bands and projects, check out spencertweedy.com and wilcoworld.net

And now, without further ado, here's Spencer himself, on his camp musical experience:

#Music at Beber Camp

When most people think of summer camp, they think of the outdoors, the waterfront, the bright summer sun… and mosquitoes. But anybody who’s been to Beber Camp knows there’s another side to camp, and it’s just as fun as waterskiing or biking.

Music: Rock Band, Recording Studio, Songwriting, DJ-ing… SONG SESSIONS! Music is a founding pillar of Beber camp, right alongside Judaism and all the other, famously camp-ish activities we like to do there. It’s hard to imagine camp without it.

When I think back on my time as a camper, my nights at the Recording Studio sneak-out with Russell Wiener stick out as some of my funnest. Later, when I was invited back to camp as an “artist-in-residence-for-one-day,” I had the opportunity to help kids work through songs in the Rock Band hobby. All throughout my time there, whether as an aspiring lil’ drummer Makor, or as a (slightly!) more experienced PIO, music remained at the center of my camp experience.

Of course, that wouldn’t have been so easy without the Crown Hall recording studio, the instruments in it, the music hobby programming, and the fearless leadership of one Russell Wiener, who continues to generously bring his talent and expertise to Beber Camp every summer.

And that’s the beautiful thing about Beber Camp: there, everyone is your family, but within that, it’s easy to find a special place that feels like it’s all yours. For me, that was music. For you… What will it be?

It's Raining Tacos!

At camp there are sunny days, windy days, rainy, hot, cold, humid days, sometimes it hails, sometimes there's lightning...

And yes, every now and again it DOES rain tacos!

And here's one of Beber's very own Recording Studio hobbies singing all about it! Enjoy!

"Tweedy" album is out now!

There is no greater joy a Music Director of a camp can have than being able to announce that a camper has a new album out!

Yes, Spencer Tweedy, camper from 2007 to 2012, (and special guest in 2013 and 2014!) has released a double-album of tunes penned and sung by his dad Jeff Tweedy. Spencer plays all the drums and percussion.

I had the pleasure of going into my local record store and picking it up on vinyl! (This is the first time I've ever bought a new album on vinyl, I was raised in the cassette-CD era!)

The songs are outstanding, Spencer's playing is creative, evocative, and excellent, and I would highly recommend picking up a copy. For old folks, don't worry it's available in traditional formats like iTunes and Spotify! But for the younger set, vinyl is the way to go. ;)

As a bonus, here's a recording from summer 2012 - a cover of a White Stripes song "Turning Into You" featuring Spencer on drums! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

Congrats Spencer, and rock on Beber!

---- Russell Wiener, Music Director

Say CHEESE!

Two topics that tend to get written about in the Recording Studio hobby on a regular basis are: Beber Camp... and Cheese!

Here's a piece that combines the two, along with musical twists and turns that the audience cannot predict. It's almost like a symphony. A bizarre summer-camp electro-rap symphony for the senses.

Nah, it's just a lot of fun. Enjoy "We're Glad You Came to Cheese to Have a Good Time!"

Who Doesn't Love MEDLEYS!

If you are anything like us, you LOVE medleys! Even better hipster-song medleys! And better yet hipster-song medleys performed by a BEBER CAMP BAND!

So bust out your skinny jeans and ironic mustaches and enjoy the second-session band intEriordEcorators medley of "Kids" and "Little Talks."

Beber Supergroup Owen the Hawks Come Hunting In

One of Beber Camp 2014's premiere rock and roll ensembles was Owen the Hawks Come Hunting In, made up of long-time Beberites Hunter Borowick, Owen Frankel, and Emily Bear, and first-timer David Hawkins. They were supported by amazing CIT's Bennett Shapiro and Alan Brint.

Hunter and Emily both play shows throughout the year, and have for many years, but in very different styles of music from each other. While David had only been playing drums for 3 months when this band came together!

They all gelled together and managed to learn, record, and perform several songs, in just five short hours. We asked Hunter Borowick how the practicing and preparation methods at Beber differ from his year-round band back in Louisville.

Hunter said - "Focus is a key element in preparing for a performance. In a scenario such as the one at camp, where we don't really have much time, we have to stay focused on the objective. Honestly, in my band at home, we goof off a lot, but we have loads of time (practices can last up to about three hours) because we practice once to twice a week for between two an three hours. But when we make our song list for the week at camp, we learn them and play them together at the next practice, allowing us to get a lot done at a time.

Check out their recording of the song Pompeii below, and then look around the site to see and hear more great performances!

Kings and Queens Made the Scene

This summer at Beber Camp, it was hard to ignore the runaway success of Kings and Queens, and if you think you see members of Light Side of the Sun you're RIGHT, this is a super-group musical force!

Check out their dress-rehearsal for the Fine Arts Fest performance of Mr. Brightside that will have people talking for years to come!

Why is Everyone Talking About the BUNK VALUABLES??

The Bunk Valuables set the Fine Arts Fest on fire this year and Beber Camp, and everyone was talking about their epic performance. Here is a rare behind-the-scenes introductory video, so get to know the members, and then watch them rehearsing for their big show!

Get to Know "Light Side of the Sun."

Psychedelic rock band Light Side of the Sun introduces themselves in this video shot on the grounds of the famous band-incubator knows as Beber Camp!

Check out a rare rehearsal video:

Hear their recording of the Pink Floyd song "Time" HERE!

The Donut Holes Rare Rehearsal Video

Before the Donut Holes broke through into the mainstream at their legendary performance in the Fine Arts Fest, they holed up in a rehearsal studio in Mukwonago, WI for five days to refine their live sound.

Though they rarely release videos like this, BeberRocks.com managed to get hold of a video of one of their rehearsals. We think you'll agree that the future of pop/rock is here, and its name is The Donut Holes!

Session 2 Songs are Going Up!

Camp just ended, and we are quickly mixing all the great work the kids did and putting it up on the site! You'll already find all the recordings from the rock bands in session 2 on the Rock Band tab on the site, including songs they recorded at a late-night sneak-out with pizza and soda!

Their performances at Fine Arts Fest and Taste of Beber are also up, so check out all the energy and talent these bands displayed live in concert!

Some second session recording studio projects have been posted, and more will be going up in the next few days, along with amazing photos taken by our very own photographers.

Stay tuned!

We introduce intEriordEcorators

Rock band intEriordEcorators has begun rehearsals at Beber Camp with the intention of playing the Taste of Beber Festival.

They formed in line at Chipotle when they all ordered the same thing - a veggie burrito, triple-extra cilantro, with mango salsa. They knew it was meant to be.

They all have bird of prey tattoos because they consider themselves "the top of the food chain." They describe their sound as being like "a cow dying, but in a good way."

Check out a rehearsal video!

Do You Love Beber and Cheese as Much as These Kids??

I highly doubt it. Check out the first Makor Recording Studio video of the summer, "I'm Glad You Came to Cheese To Have Fun!" It's all about the magic of Beber and cheese. Two great things that go great together! Enjoy - CLICK TO WATCH!

Beber is Already ROCKIN!

Today was the first day of hobbies at Beber Camp and we are off to a great start learning songs in band hobby, writing and recording songs in Recording Studio and Songwriting, and even leaning about music in Rock and Roll Appreciation and History.