School, Work, and Rock N' Roll

You all know you've done it: blared a song by your favorite band, posed in front of the mirror and sang into a hairbrush. In our imaginations we wrote that song that we are "performing," behind the mirror to a crowd of hundreds of fans cheering us on. As we croon, our voice voyages through the hairbrush and out of speakers, echoing out into an entire arena.

For Cincinnati native Matt Kelch, a full time student at the University of Cincinnati Clifton Campus, this make-believe scenario developed into a reality. Matt plays drums and writes music for "Sirens and Sinners," a hardcore metal band consisting of three other young male musicians. The band formed during the summer of 2008; however, Matt's love for music originated long before that. At age eleven he learned to play the drums and at age seventeen he picked up playing the guitar. Bands such as "A Day to Remember," "The Devil Wears Prada," and "Alesana" influenced Matt and his band mates to begin generating the music they perform for us now. You can catch Matt's band "Sirens and Sinners" playing at venues such as Bangarangs of Covington, where they are scheduled to perform on May 11th.

Although creating music is his true passion, Matt is also working to get a degree in marketing and psychology. Once he graduates, Matt plans on continuing to perform and write music. As well as being a full time student and a member of "Sirens and Sinners," he works full time at Luxottica (premium fashion, luxury and sports eye ware). How does he find time to maintain a job, sustain his grades, and pursue his passion for music, I asked? Matt stated that he "balances it all well. I have work in the morning, classes during the day and weekends for music."

So, next time you find yourself singing into your hairbrush, contemplate pursuing your dream. Like Matt, and of course "The Beatles," you may find yourself with a "hard days night," but concentration on your future and realize, in the great words of AC/DC, that "it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n roll."

If you'd like to learn more about "Sirens and Sinners," check out the band's Facebook page.