Phosphene Gives Career Speech a Rock Injection

Oak Forest High School Alumnus Dan Bikar returned to Oak Forest High School as the featured career speaker, with his bandmates from the edgy band Phosphene. Guitarist Bikar, lead singer Jeni Imparato and bassist Michael Salazar, talked about making a career in the music industry.

Imparato said that making a career in the music industry is difficult but worth it. She said, “There will be obstacles, there will be doubters, there will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits.”

Phosphene talked about the preparation they had done in order to be the best at their music. Bikar has been playing guitar for 20 years and Imparato took vocal lessons for many years to learn how to manipulate her voice and not damage it.

Phosphene outlined their philosophy that the band is a business and told Oak Forest High School students that all of their decisions are to further the band’s interests and build followers.

Imparato said, “You learn from experiences how to be in a band.” She continued that because they view the band as a business, they are fastidious about attending rehearsals at a rehearsal space they have rented in Chicago, in addition to signing a band agreement that details the rules of the band.

Also, students learned that an image is very important. Phosphene has a very steampunk, riot-style image that the members cultivate when they are together in public. Bikar said that “everyone has their unique style in the band” but they all work together.

Marketing is another challenge in the music industry. In today’s socially connected way, what promoters want to see are the number of followers that bands have on their Facebook page or twitter feed. Salazar said, “It is not ‘selling out’ to market your band.”

The most important part of trying to make it in the music world is learning not to give up. Imparato said, “You have to take a bajillion no’s. Hidden in there will be one really powerful yes.”

We wish the very best of success to Phosphene! Students enjoyed the free CD’s and lanyards that Phosphene handed out at the end of their motivational talk and swamped Project Coordinator Mallory Platt, who organized this event, with requests for more Phosphene.

Pictured are guitarist and OFHS Alumnus Dan Bikar, Sabrina Dorencz, Gery Longino, bassist Michael Salazar, Matthew Davis, Aaron Ratliff, lead singer Jeni Imparato, Kayla Stawoney, Kalvalena Beonka and Oak Forest High School Project Manager Mallory Platt.