Ripon College Days

Aaron Park [Click to enlarge]

Self-expression is the driving force behind Aaron Park's love of songwriting and performing.

His long hair hanging below the rim of his knit hat, he thoughtfully nurses a Ricola cough drop while attempting to define his style, finally settling on "lyrically-centered folk pop rock."

Since learning his first chord from his younger brother, Park has worked to establish himself as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Citing his drummer dad and a musically driven middle school teacher as his early influences, Park has progressed as an artist through trial and error.

"The first song that I wrote was after the shootings at Columbine-they really affected me," he says. "After that I would just follow the same pattern, a lot of introspective things that made me happy or depressed or just made me think a lot would end up becoming a song."

At the end of high school, his efforts culminated with the production of his first album. Titled "Nevertheless," the endeavor was composed of original songs that featured his brother on bass and father on the drums.

"It was professionally recorded and produced and stamped and printed and packaged in plastic. I still have a bunch in boxes if anybody wants to buy one," he jokes with a laugh.

Although Park's songwriting style has since progressed, the recording was a good experience, and he hopes to produce a second album over winter break. Park plans to include area musicians on the next recording, people he's met through open mic night performances at Seasons coffeehouse and jt Skewers.

"This past semester has been the most positive yet," he says in reference to his performing. "The audience [at jt Skewers] is so supportive-they come just to hear the music and they really care. I've gotten to play with so many people."

Leaning back against the well-worn blue couch, he adds, "I love the thrill of performing; it's such a high, and it's so different every time."

Park's performances aren't limited to formal settings, however. He recalls afternoons spent outside with his guitar while studying in Spain last year.

"My favorite was when people would walk by and then slowly look over their shoulders and come back to listen. It's like going fishing: you cast out and reel them in," he explains with a miming gesture.

Performance fits into the creative aspect of music that Park finds most appealing.

"It's really the creative process that I love the most," he says. "That includes the writing, performing and recording of the song; they're all forms of creation."

An ever-growing amount of experience under his belt, Park sets his sights toward the wide-open future.

"The only thing I'm sure about right now that could possibly be a career would be songwriting," he says, adding that teaching is also an idea he's toyed with.

"Teachers influence people's ideas and their minds and help them realize and understand what they're capable of and what beautiful and amazing things there are in the world," he says. "That's partially what songwriting can be about. You can say 'Hey! Look at this-it doesn't all have to be the same.'"

Article Tools