Rocco Faso has always been passionate about music, but now, as he begins his university career in psychology, his band, Astromania might take a sideline seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Faso has been interested in music for most of his life, starting at age 12 with the trumpet. <\/p>\n
He quickly broadened his horizons, adopting new instruments like the bass and even taking singing lessons. But it\u2019s the guitar that really inspired him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw a YouTube video of a guy playing [the guitar], and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world, so that\u2019s kind of what started everything,\u201d Faso said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Developing his musical skills<\/p>\n
Faso\u2019s girlfriend, Erica Boucher, has always known him on a musical path. <\/p>\n
Faso shares his love for music with everyone he encounters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first interaction with him was after his performance. I\u2019ve watched that talent grow with him,\u201d Boucher said.<\/p>\n
Faso continued to spend time perfecting his skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think after probably six months of playing guitar, I thought I could be in a band doing this,\u201d Faso said.<\/p>\n
Learning to play music with other people is nothing new for Faso, who has been in band classes since sixth grade.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith my current band, we kind of just all learned the songs, and we were super tight when we first got to practice, so it kind of clicked immediately,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Building connections with music<\/p>\n
Connecting with others comes easily for Faso, according to former band member Chad Park, who played with Rocco until 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRocco is one of the very few very musically inclined people that I will talk with, and jamming with him is always a pleasure,\u201d\u00a0 Park said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The band Astromania practices once a week, aiming to involve everyone and blend their styles. <\/p>\n
Building their confidence while keeping their talent low-profile \u2013 mainly performing for only a handful of friends and family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching the band practice was my favourite because as a musician myself, I loved to help Rocco by giving him feedback and advice from someone on the same musical level,\u201d Boucher said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Putting the band on hold<\/p>\n
But as the summer came to an end, and school and work picked up, the band\u2019s weekly practices went on hold.<\/p>\n
Each band member had other priorities, so their project fell to the wayside.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Faso, being a university student, said that he has to prioritize his responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really want to get the best grades possible, so sometimes I don\u2019t have time to practice or learn other parts that people have written just because I have to study,\u201d Faso said.<\/p>\n
Studying psychology, Faso has dedicated most of his time to his studies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been super fascinated by the way people act, and so I\u2019ve kind of chosen [psychology] because I thought I could understand why [people] choose to act the way they do. Psychology just seemed the most interesting to me,\u201d\u00a0 he said.<\/p>\n
Although school is a huge aspect of Faso\u2019s life right now, the band is still a dream of his.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c[Faso] has a bunch of friends who are also into music, and a lot of them are in bands themselves, so he is meeting a bunch of people who can keep him in the loop with the music community along his studies,\u201d Boucher said.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead<\/p>\n
The feeling of the first performance lingers with Faso, marking the beginning of a future with music.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI did my [guitar] solo for my high school at the talent show, and I played Van Halen\u2019s\u00a0Eruption, and everyone loved it, which made me super happy,\u201d Faso said.<\/p>\n
Having played music with Faso throughout high school, Park can definitely say he has watched Faso prepare so well for his performances.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely one of my highlights is playing with Rocco,\u201d Park said.<\/p>\n
Faso said he appreciates the time spent with his band members, building strong relationships in music.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI could see a point in the future where we kind of go our separate ways, but I\u2019m just trying to enjoy what we have right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
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