By CANDACE MIERS

clm049@latech.edu

 

Harmony — times two — trickled through Tolliver Hall when Union Board presented acoustic duo Ryanhood on Oct. 4.

“I came at the perfect time for dinner because when I sat down with some friends, we all had live entertainment with our meal, and I was pretty excited about that,” Julia Gates, a junior elementary education major, said.

The live entertainment consisted of two men from Boston — Ryan Green and Cameron Hood. They have been performing live for crowds since 2003. They are touring different towns, executing their style of acoustic music on many college campuses throughout the country, according to their Web site, http://www.ryanhoodmusic.com.

“[Ryanhood] was pretty phenomenal and a pleasure to listen to,” Paul King, special events coordinator for the Union Board and a junior mechanical engineering major, said.

On campus, the duo, wearing matching button-up shirts, jeans, striped ties and holding guitars, played on a stage lit by eight spotlights.

Also dressing the stage were two microphones, a box fan, water bottles, speakers, a Union Board backdrop and a large screen which mirrored the stage action.

Ryanhood’s physical actions on stage were simple movements of singing, stomping their feet and slightly nodding their heads to the rhythm of their own music.

 It was their music that was not so plain, Gates said, which made them really stand out.

“I think these boys really pulled off an amazing show because their sound was incredibly original,” Gates said.

Gates went on to say she really enjoyed listening to Ryanhood.

“In between bites of my food, I think I was even trying to sing along,” Gates said. “I had a fun time throughout their entire performance.”

Ryanhood’s performance, which lasted about one hour and 10 minutes, included 13 songs, some of which were samplings of other artist’s works such as the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” theme song and “Mrs. Robinson,” by Simon & Garfunkel.

Maurice Rome, a Union Board member and a freshman business major, said he loved the show and that he knew some songs.

“It was original music mixed with cover songs we already knew, and I thought that was fantabulous,” Rome said.

Original works of the duo included songs like “Intro into Technology” with lyrics such as “We wake up in space with darkness on our faces.”

Their faces on the Tolliver stage had no darkness on them, only a mist of sweat and lots of smiles.

Ryanhood said to the audience, who never forgot to clap, whistle or whoo, that they had a tremendous time.

“The crowd for Ryanhood was one of the best crowds we had for the small bands,” King said. “This crowd came to this event with a purpose and I think they were definitely into the music.”

Green and Hood acknowledged the attentive crowd with thanks.

Green said, “You guys are totally awesome.”