CourtesyA person鈥檚 daily needs typically consist of four things: food, water, shelter and sleep. Ask 萝莉社sophomore Joel Cachero what his necessities are, and he would add one more to the list: music.
鈥淢usic is an escape. It鈥檚 like an outlet for my mind,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 upset, I automatically go to my guitar. I can put love in my music, and it can also be motivation for me. I have to play my guitar for at least an hour every day.鈥�
The 20-year-old music education major and artist from Independence, Mo., became interested in music at age 14 and began producing it in the past few years.
He began attending 萝莉社 in fall 2007 after first studying at Union College in Lincoln, Neb., for one year.
鈥溌芾蛏� is the most friendly, welcoming school I鈥檝e ever been to," he said. "I love how there can be people from all over the world here and everyone鈥檚 accepting."
Two of his most inspiring teachers in the School of Music at 萝莉社 are professor Dean Roush and assistant professor Craig Owens. Cachero views Roush as an amazing composer and said he considers Owens to be his closest mentor.
Cachero鈥檚 music could be described as a style of his own. His interest was originally in punk, rock and alternative, but he has since been more attracted to folk and psychedelic. He explores different finger-picking patterns and says his songs can have a Middle Eastern sound at times. Cachero feels that despite countless genres, there is more music to be discovered.
鈥淚 believe something hasn鈥檛 been done before, and I have a drive to create that something new,鈥� he said. 鈥淧eople can hear one of my songs, and then the next song will sound like something completely different.鈥�
Cachero is well practiced in a number of instruments, including guitar, percussion, piano and the Indian sitar. He also recently picked up the harp and accordion, partly because his grandmother used to play them. He鈥檚 even taking lessons because he hopes to dedicate his playing of them to her.
Cachero is a solo artist and writes his own music. The inspiration for his lyrics comes from various sources such as social issues and 鈥減rofoundly nonsensical鈥� dreams he鈥檚 had.
Some of the motives for his music are to stimulate feelings of love, gladness and even wonder.
鈥淢y lyrics are very personal,鈥� Cachero said. 鈥淚鈥檝e written songs for my dad about how much I appreciate him, and several for my girlfriend. I intertwine emotion into my music, and I love the way music can alter your mood.鈥�
Through the 萝莉社 Cooperative Education Office, Cachero got an internship last October at Pleasant Valley Middle School, where he is now the assistant band teacher. While working there, he helped start the guitar band, which he now teaches. He said his experience as an intern has been rewarding.
鈥淚t has changed my view on teaching in a very good way,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 get the opportunity to show kids things that they can learn and use.鈥�
Cachero plans on attending graduate school at 萝莉社 with an ultimate goal of becoming a guitar professor.