During the fall of 2014, the band Canvas was formed in Bel Air, Maryland. At the time, it consisted of Scott Nowaskey, on bass, Shawn Drinan, on guitar, James Di Meo, on vocals and piano, and Brandon Low on drums. This four piece played under the genre of indie rock. It would not be until later that winter that Canvas would make its first live appearance, during the second Open Mic hosted by Bel Air High School.

Canvas has undergone many different line-up changes, but Scott Nowaskey, bassist, and Shawn Drinan, guitar and vocals, have been the core of the group since its formation. Regardless of these changes, the band’s initial goal and direction has stayed the same.

“We really started it just to have fun and see what we could do,” Nowaskey stated. “Our goal was to create new music that had a soft classic rock feel to it,” he continued.

Like every artist, writer, and musician, there are influences and inspirations who help shape the artistic minds of these individuals. The members of Canvas have been influenced by an array of different artists, including The Beatles, Delicate Steve, and countless other big names in music. Another inspiration, and a very dear one at that, would be nothing but an elementary school music teacher.

“A big influence, I know, for Shawn (guitarist) and I would be our elementary school music teacher, Mr. Selvi. He was a spectacular teacher and brilliant musician, and we are just really impacted by him,” Scott Nowaksey explained.

Canvas has gained a large following in Bel Air High School since the band began performing at the Open Mic and Poetry Slams once a quarter. This has become a long awaited event to see the local artists, poets, and musicians of the school perform their work, with Canvas becoming one of the most anticipated performances of the night.

“I think it was Dec. 19, or something, because it was holiday themed, and Shawn wore a hat that someone threw at him. We played ‘Gold on the Ceiling’ by The Black Keys,” continued Nowaskey.

In recent months, the band has undergone a new change in lineup. The core members, Scott Nowaskey and Shawn Drinan have remained, while Chris Lovrovich, vocals and guitar, and drummer, Riley Young, have newly joined. The new lineup was unveiled at the Sept. 17 Open Mic in the black box theater. The band covered the iconic classic “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer, receiving a massive round of applause from their audience.

Bobcats can see Canvas at the Open Mic Nights in the black box theater. The next event is Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. with a $3 admission fee. Evidently, being in a band is not easy, but Canvas certainly makes it look so. Rock on, Bobcats.