The talent show featured many different talents, from tricks in a wheelchair to stand-up comedy. But there was one group that stood out from the rest.

The rock-alternative band Soulified performed two original songs for the competition. Rain, a rather mellow tune, and Cajun, which was more of a rock number..

Soulified members have written a wide range of music. Their original song list includes fast punk to hard rock and everything in between.

Soulified and freshman Becky Abeyta were chosen as the two finalists from Ithaca to compete for eight spots in a traveling CSAA talent show. The selection of these eight acts was done at a competition in Montabella on April 14. Although neither won a spot in the traveling show, both local acts performed when the CSAA talent show appeared in Ithaca on April 19.

Members of the band include freshmen vocalist Curt Anderson, lead guitarist Corban Lott, rhythm guitarist Ben Somers, bassist Jacob Wolfgang, and drummer Chris Vickery.

"I’ve been in the band for a couple of months," said Anderson. "We’ve been working on our own songs, and getting lyrics with them. We’ve also been working on a few covers. We’re going to be playing at Campus Life sometime; we’re not exactly sure when. We have a couple other gigs lined up, too."

Somers recently rejoined the band after an approximate six-month absence.

"Previously I left the band, but now I’m back," said Somers. "I hope to contribute to the best of my ability. I would like to add to the song writing part."

Becoming good doesn’t just come overnight. According to them, they put a lot of time into this band.

"We practice a couple of times a week, sometimes more. We went to Chris’s house and practiced in his room because his drum set is there. It takes about an hour to set up, so that’s the easiest way to do it. It’s crazy on the ears, so I wear ear pieces," said Anderson.

With all that practicing, there had to be some pretty understanding parents to put up with the loud music.  "My parents have been great. Sometimes when they got annoyed, they would just leave," said Vickery.  More than finding a place to practice, band members have discovered that having a band isn’t cheap, either.  "It costs a lot of money to be in a band; I think so far I’ve spent about $600 " said Lott.  Right now, they’re in the process of purchasing a PA system.