By: Samita Mason

By the time he graduates, freshman Ryan McGreedy, hopes to have a record deal.

The 18-year-old civil engineering major started his band, The 6th Degree, three years ago with fellow freshman, 18-year-old graphic design major Jason Peevy.

In high school, the two started writing music that they describe as post-rock instrumental.

“We like to combine different types of music together into something that most people would not recognize,” said bass player, Donnie Cantrell, an 18-year-old freshman majoring in business administration.

The band mates listen to music from Mali and the Middle East and try to incorporate this influence into some of their songs.

“Our music is hardly what you consider to be played on the radio because of its weird sounds and generally long song length,” says drummer Damon Bishop, an 18-year-old, freshman majoring in psychology. “But a number of Mason students find it great to study with since it is all instrumental.”

In their first album titled “In Separation,” the music is instrumental. In future releases, the band plans to release music containing more vocals.

“We crave for the audience to be connected with our music more than the band members. We have played for hundreds of people and find it spiritual when the audience is able to connect with the music,” said McGreedy.

The 6th Degree is scheduled to play on April 13 at the Empire in Springfield, Va. The band is currently working on their next album titled “Svara,” which they will begin to promote this spring. And while they want to be rock stars, the four bandmates from Springfield aren’t music majors, so they want to have their own careers too.

“We hope we are signed to an agreeable label that allows us to work at our own pace and offers creative freedom, while allowing us to maintain our personal pursuits,” McGreedy said.