Gathered in the Student Performance Center on a cold Monday night in February, an intimate group of Emerson students waited in anticipation for the premiere of Julia Herndon’s short film Burn Outs, followed by a debut performance from Escape Goat. An evening of amateurs and growing talent, the band warmed up as Mac DeMarco played overhead, creating a laid-back atmosphere for their audience who leaned over each other, deep in conversation and curiosity.

The music from the mellow, slightly grunge, colloquial group of musicians was a natural conclusion to the night, given the exploration into the art of being a chronically broke “burnout” at the heart of Herndon’s film. Displaying a mix of garage-rock and indie sound, Escape Goat made their debut in the basement of Emerson’s Little Building, managing to make the space feel simultaneously cozy and surprisingly cool with their baggy attire, an electric guitar pasted with googly eyes, and a purple stuffed monkey resting on a bright orange amp.

Composed of all Emerson students, guitarist Andrew Ricci, lead singer Sophia Gennusa, bassist Max Eberle, guitarist Quinlan (Quin) Harp, and drummer Chase Fagan came up with the idea for Escape Goat in the spring of 2022 and started practicing together later that same year. Ricci, Gennusa, and Fagan all grew up together in Westchester, New York, adding a level of familiarity and chemistry to the band once Harp and Eberle entered the mix. Inspired by modern indie pop and contemporary rock, Ricci said Escape Goat is influenced by artists like Nirvana, Her’s, and Mac DeMarco. “I grew up with music in my bones. I don’t have a lot of experience playing, performing, or making music, but the band is an opportunity for me to get into a space where I can fully express myself musically and have a good time with friends,” says Ricci.

The name, Escape Goat, came from Harp after a Facetime call. “We thought it was a funny pun and captures the identity we are going for. That identity is still being formed–we are in a flow state right now where we are all very comfortable with each other,” says Ricci. Encapsulating the beauty and malleability of being a new band, Ricci shared that having a big turnout at their first performance was really special and rewarding. “I remember ten minutes before we went on, Quin and I were in the green room just psyching each other out. We were both so antsy to get out,” says Ricci.

As an audience member, I felt overwhelmed with secondhand excitement—and nerves—for the emotions in lieu of the unknown that precedes a first performance. Even when the harmony faltered as Gennusa joined Ricci and Harp on the first few notes of “Cigarettes in the Theatre” by Two Door Cinema Club, the crowd cheered wildly in support as the band gracefully announced a restart to the song. Drummer David Effron, filling in for Fagan due to his broken hand, met the band with an easy smile and excitement to go with the flow. Once Escape Goat got into the groove of things and adjusted to their crowd, the first song was a strong introduction to the band’s energy: fun, young, and cool without ever taking themselves too seriously. Escape Goat is the type of band that is supposed to have hiccups because it shows their authenticity and pure interest in playing for the sake of playing—what else is there to lose?

“The band itself is a reward. Being in those rehearsal rooms is somewhere we all want to be; it's a great environment, artistically. It was nerve-wracking, but to see everyone support us was amazing,” says Ricci. Sitting in the college’s plastic folding chairs, I overheard a conversation in the audience that captured the beauty of Emerson and its art scene, exemplified by Herdon and Escape Goat: we were all “...having such a normal Monday night at a movie premiere and band performance.” It’s true, and what a special thing that is.

Working together in a cohesive and natural state, the band covered songs like “C U Girl” by Steve Lacy, “Parking Lots” by Plums, and “The Stars Keep On Calling My Name” by Mac DeMarco. It was clear the audience had a thirst for more as the band reached the end of their setlist. In response to shouts for an encore from the audience, Escape Goat gifted us with a short, casual jam session to wrap up their launch in which drummer Chase Fagan stepped in to wow the crowd with his talent—even with a broken hand.

Escape Goat had to learn to let go of potential mistakes and judgments in order to show their strong talent and chemistry. By the middle of the show, the audience moved all their chairs to the perimeter of the theater and stood in a crowd as if we were at a real concert venue, bouncing and swaying to the electric chords and anticipatory beats. Since their premiere on Monday, the band is looking to evolve, refine their onstage presence, and produce music under their name in an effort to book local shows in the Boston area.

Escape Goat reminded us how to let go–even of the small things like the stress of a Monday evening full of looming midterms and a lack of sleep. Watching them perform ignited a feeling of hope and excitement for life; as dramatic as it sounds, in the middle of a bleak winter, Escape Goat managed to put on a colorful array of fresh music and re-inspired the beauty of getting out and going to concerts and house shows. In a time of year when people are prone to hibernation and low energy, the band brought life and chroma back from the dead. Escape Goat, quite frankly, offered us an escape from daily stress, reminding us that it’s really just that simple: when you mess up, you smile and play it again–better.

Encapsulating the beauty of amateurs, the rawness of starting from scratch, and the youth of college undergrads, Escape Goat has a foreseeable future as a reputable, successful college band. I speak for everyone that was lucky enough to see them perform when I say we can’t wait to hear what comes next.

For more information on Escape Goat and their future musical endeavors, check out their Instagram here.

Escape Goat: Letting Go