As a Music Business major, I attend a Recital Lab class where we typically go to watch music students play pieces they are working on. For our Recital Lab last Wednesday, however, students from the MEI (Music and Entertainment Industry) Program at Bradley presented music videos they directed to the class. One of the groups was AJA Records, and the artist was Andy Martinez, who performed ‘Affairs’ by her band First Date Kiss. You can watch the video below.
Andy Martinez and Asher Freeman of First Date Kiss
First Date Kiss is comprised of members Andy Martinez (vocals, guitar) and Asher Freeman (percussion). Andy and Asher met at an open mic at Neon Bison earlier this year. Since then they’ve formed the group First Date Kiss and have been working on original music.
Andy describes ‘Affairs’ as a song that describes “when somebody you really like but you’re not with them is hanging out with other people when you really just want to be with them.”
When Andy and Asher play together, Asher says “it comes naturally, and I feel like her and I both have the same style.” Andy’s influences come from poetic writers, classic bands like The Eagles and Pink Floyd, and Latin music, which all come together in the music of First Date Kiss.
Some of their favorite songs to cover include Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers, Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High by the Arctic Monkeys, and Wicked Games by Chris Isaak.
If you want to experience them for yourself, you can catch them performing these songs and more at Iron Spike Brewery in Galesburg from 2-4pm on January 1st!