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A group of teens represented Nebraska on the biggest stage in the blues scene, but they say they’re more than just a blues band. The recent exposure now has them focused on their growth.Four instruments. Four teens. One group.For the members of The Pocket Architects, music is more than just performance.”Playing music is really just our way of expressing ourselves,” said drummer Cameron Bothwell.Caden Pendleton, Cameron Bothwell, Wes Burns, and Cameron Vakili met through the Blues Society of Omaha, where they eventually formed their band.”The pocket of music is basically when the musicians are all really in sync with each other,” said singer and pianist Caden Pendleton. “Like we’re building the pocket as we’re on stage.”Over the past two years, the group has gained notoriety, playing at bars across Nebraska and building a reputation in the local blues scene.Their biggest opportunity came after winning a competition through the Blues Society of Omaha, which earned them an invitation to represent Nebraska at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.There, they competed against world-class talent from across the globe. While they didn’t take home the top prize, the experience gave them major exposure.”We got some looks and some business cards from states like Arkansas, Kansas, even Washington, Missouri, maybe. So that might open it up,” Pendleton said.Now the band has its sights set on bigger venues.”We don’t want to be grinding, just playing small bars and stuff,” Pendleton said.They are also looking for ways to bring their music to audiences beyond live shows.”The goal for us is to have a live album recorded around May or June,” Pendleton said.Despite their roots in the blues scene, the band members say they don’t want to be defined by a single genre.”The blues thing? It’s just a label,” said pianist Cameron Vakili.They believe their sound can connect with listeners of all ages.”It kind of does have at least some bit of appeal to any person of any age, whether it’s a college student at Lincoln or someone’s grandma,” said guitarist Wes Burns.For the band members, the ultimate goal is simple: turning their passion into a career.”We’re giving this the best effort that we possibly can to see if we could make it worth it,” Pendleton said.
A group of teens represented Nebraska on the biggest stage in the blues scene, but they say they’re more than just a blues band. The recent exposure now has them focused on their growth.
Four instruments. Four teens. One group.
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For the members of The Pocket Architects, music is more than just performance.
“Playing music is really just our way of expressing ourselves,” said drummer Cameron Bothwell.
Caden Pendleton, Cameron Bothwell, Wes Burns, and Cameron Vakili met through the Blues Society of Omaha, where they eventually formed their band.
“The pocket of music is basically when the musicians are all really in sync with each other,” said singer and pianist Caden Pendleton. “Like we’re building the pocket as we’re on stage.”
Over the past two years, the group has gained notoriety, playing at bars across Nebraska and building a reputation in the local blues scene.
Their biggest opportunity came after winning a competition through the Blues Society of Omaha, which earned them an invitation to represent Nebraska at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
There, they competed against world-class talent from across the globe. While they didn’t take home the top prize, the experience gave them major exposure.
“We got some looks and some business cards from states like Arkansas, Kansas, even Washington, Missouri, maybe. So that might open it up,” Pendleton said.
Now the band has its sights set on bigger venues.
“We don’t want to be grinding, just playing small bars and stuff,” Pendleton said.
They are also looking for ways to bring their music to audiences beyond live shows.
“The goal for us is to have a live album recorded around May or June,” Pendleton said.
Despite their roots in the blues scene, the band members say they don’t want to be defined by a single genre.
“The blues thing? It’s just a label,” said pianist Cameron Vakili.
They believe their sound can connect with listeners of all ages.
“It kind of does have at least some bit of appeal to any person of any age, whether it’s a college student at Lincoln or someone’s grandma,” said guitarist Wes Burns.
For the band members, the ultimate goal is simple: turning their passion into a career.
“We’re giving this the best effort that we possibly can to see if we could make it worth it,” Pendleton said.
