Live music is foundational to Berkeley, from the performances at the history-filled 924 Gilman to the frequent band nights near campus. I have grown familiar with feeling the bass buzz through my body as my friends and I dance carefreely into the night.
If you’ve attended a band night in the past year, there’s a high chance you’ve seen SOBO (formerly known as Marine Layer, until a cease-and-desist letter forced a name change). Known for their wild weekend streaks of playing up to four different shows in a row and captivating setlists, SOBO has become a staple of the student music scene.
While sitting in on their rehearsal, I set out to capture a slice of the musical landscape— a capsule of the sound, energy, and spirit that defines Berkeley right now. As a listener, I was also curious, wondering how these bands came to be and how their off-stage demeanors may flow into their music.
Earlier this April, I sat on a guitar amp in Gala’s garage, interviewing the band members in hopes of understanding them beyond their performances on stage. There was a small disco ball hanging from the ceiling— a treasure Matt and Gala bought at the antique mall earlier that day. The banter-filled car ride over already revealed their playful dynamic, which seamlessly translated into their music.”
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SOBO— which is an acronym for sun’s out, bun’s out— consists of four members.
Q: What song is currently playing on repeat?
Anandi: “Tequila Sunrise” – Eagles
Gala: “Midnight in Harlem” – Tedeschi Trucks Band
Matt: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Dip: “Song to Woody” – Bob Dylan
Q: How did your band form?
The summer before transferring to Berkeley, Anandi met Gala at a house show where Gala was performing. They were introduced by a mutual friend, as both of them would be attending Berkeley the following semester. They threw around the idea of starting a band, and this came to fruition when Gala reached out to Dip and Matt later on.
Q: What was your experience in finding your first gigs to play at?
Gala was briefly in Cal Surfrider and initially asked to jam with them, but ended up joining their lineup for their band night.
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There was an undeniable pulse to their rehearsal. As our conversation began to dwindle, Dip would play a riff, and within a moment, it blossomed into a song within which the band members were all engulfed. That is how they started their warm-up, playing “One of These Nights” by the Eagles.
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Q: What does a typical weekend look like?
They typically rehearse on Fridays from around 2:30 to 6 p.m. On weeks when they are playing a Friday show, they go directly from the rehearsal to the performance. Since they usually bring the drum set to their shows, they leave it there on Saturday, as they typically have two more shows the following evening.
Q: How would you describe Berkeley’s music scene?
Anandi described the scene as a struggling one, especially since many musicians came up through the community jazz program, which has since been shut down. They also noted that the college bands can be somewhat reserved, as there is not a strong connection between groups. However, SOBO is actively trying to foster collaboration and cheer on other musicians. They also credited the bands that came before them and it never felt competitive as they were all connected by the desire to play and share the stage.
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During the rehearsal, they took turns singing. Dip covered The Arctic Monkeys’ “505,” Anandi sang the Eagles’ “Lyin’ Eyes,” while Gala harmonized. Matt didn’t make a vocal debut during the session (as far as I know). When they hit some less familiar passages in The Smiths’ “This Charming Man,” they slowed the tempo, patiently working through the tricky spots together. They were so intertwined in their playing and energy that, funnily enough, they reminded me of all the wires from the mics, guitars, and amps lying entangled on the floor. It was also very nice hearing Gala sing this song, rather than Morrissey.
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Q: What’s the college crowd like as an audience?
A lot of the crowd are their friends— or audience members who’ve become friends over time. Matt says it depends on the show, recalling how the indoor Public School Records gig was especially intense: “If you play the right music, the floor will be shaking — especially if you were in the basement during Mr. Brightside or Sweet Child o’ Mine.”
Q: What’s been your favorite memory together?
Jamming in Santa Cruz over spring break. They all went to Matt’s house in Santa Cruz and played the day away.
Q: What is your favorite song to perform?
Anandi: “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits
Matt: “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits
Dip: “Pool House” – The Backseat Lovers
Gala: “Johnny B. Goode” – Chuck Berry (“Because you can dance and move around to it”)
Q: Do you see music as something you’ll pursue after college?
Anandi hopes to pursue work within the music business. She is working for Spotify this summer, which has a jam room, and wants to bring her band to jam with her!
Gala’s family often plays music together at family gatherings, so music will still be a big part of her life post-grad, as she wants to jam out with her family.
Matt wants to play music for a long time, though it not studying it. Rather, he wants to go into city planning.
Dip is trying to make money and also plans on playing music.
Q: Any advice for other students thinking of starting a band?
Anandi (verbatim): Don’t try to be somebody else; just play music you like. Also, if you can’t find a drummer, you can’t take ours.
Thank you, SOBO, for letting me sit in on your rehearsal! I was completely washed clean by your beautiful melodies.
Article and Design by Shannon Cheng
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