![Will Vizuete, 44, and Connor LaMontagne, 25, are the bassist and drummer for The Unsustainables, a band brought together by their mutual love for the environment and the traditional sounds of the Jaimaican ’Ska’ genre. Vizuete is an Associate professor in the Environmental Science and Engineering department at the Gillings School of Public Health, while LaMontagne works in the same department as a PhD student. The band is composed of environmental scientists, engineers and even one EPA employee. According to LaMontagne, Ska is the predecessor of reggae. “It’s a cool mix,” LaMontagne said. “We’ll be playing just a regular reggae tune and then Trent will call out dub style and we’ll [make] what he describes as a ‘subtractive art’. It’s not about making a bunch of noise, it’s more about what you sounds you remove and sort of tastefully messing with the arrangement.” Vizuete agrees that the band’s mutual love for this era of music makes the group so amazing. “What’s really hip about it is that we’re all writing new songs,” Vizuete said. “It’s something new and contemporary, because [we’re] writing about stuff in [our] own life, but it’s within this kind of era of sound that we love. And that’s the fun part, trying to recreate that sound.” The Unsustainables create this sound through the use of drums, bass, guitar, trumpet, trombone, saxophone and conga. They are in the process of trying out a new piano player, according to Vizuete, which would bring the total number of members from seven to eight people. “Just being able to play has really been keeping our sanity,” Vizuete said.](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/dth/7cafc832-b460-45d2-83ab-970325444cf2.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
Carrboro band explores the intersection of science and music
By Caroline Nihill | Dec. 14The band features two members of the UNC community.
Read More »The Daily Tar Heel tags stories to make it easier for you to find our more about topics you care about. Consider it a Wikipedia for all things UNC.
The band features two members of the UNC community.
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Carrboro will place a "truth plaque" at the site of the former Freedmen's school to acknowledge the several hundred Black children and adults who were freed from slavery and educated in the schoolhouse.
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At Tuesday's Carrboro Town Council meeting, members approved a resolution that calls attention to the Town's history with slavery and discrimination.
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The resolution to approve the mural and a racial equity logo was approved by a vote of 5-1, with council member Barbara Foushee voting against. Foushee said she voted against the resolution because of the proposal to place the logo on the back of the Carrboro Town Hall. In addition to the mural, Town Council is working on other racial equity projects.
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In an effort to keep musical spirit alive, the annual Carrboro Music Festival adapted to the pandemic by hosting both live and prerecorded shows last weekend. Presented via Facebook, YouTube and the local radio, the festival featured over 100 total bands and solo artists from a variety of different genres and backgrounds.
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During a time when the music industry is facing uncertainty, the annual Carrboro Music Festival has transitioned to a virtual event with over 100 performers.
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Local business owners and Town Council members expressed hesitation about Carrboro's 203 Project, a development project on South Greensboro Street, at a Sept. 15 Carrboro Town Council meeting.
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Carrboro’s N.C. Art Therapy Institute has developed therapy even more to focus on using its tools across a wide range of communities.
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Farmers have been working overtime to accommodate their customers. Many now do pre-sales and drop off deliveries that most did not do before.
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The OC Voice is a portion of the OC Report newsletter where local residents may have a platform to talk about local issues they care about. Damon Seils is a member of the Carrboro Town Council.
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“We are in search of action, not words, for there is still so much work to be done,” council member Barbara Foushee said. “I’m raw, I’m angry, some days I’m even afraid.”
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The OC Voice is a portion of the OC Report newsletter where local residents may have a platform to talk about local issues they care about. Sammy Slade is a Carrboro Town Council member and UNC alumnus.
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“I know we’re in the South, and we like to keep things nice,” Council Member Sammy Slade said, “but sometimes we have to be real, and we have to be truthful and we have to speak out.”
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The University's decision to switch to remote instruction for all undergraduate classes came after several weeks of Orange County officials and town councils expressing concern over the return of students to the area.
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“Some mentioned it’s not our business in what UNC does, but you know what? It is,” Town Council member Sammy Slade said. “Students live in Carrboro. Our ability to test and our hospital capacity is directly linked to that population that will be coming into the county.”
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Shop The Daily Tar Heel Store this holiday season! We sell UNC sports memorabilia and Daily Tar Heel-themed gear, such as the Century of Champions poster, the 1993 Basketball Championship Commemorative Edition and "Print News, Raise Hell" t-shirts. Our Black Friday sale is starting now! Order by Nov. 30 to receive up to 25 percent off.
