Commuter

Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Dan Stokarski Chris Burcin

Settle

NCC Business Administration student plans to graduate before taking his act on the road.

Chris Burcin, 20, of Bethlehem has been at NCC's Main campus for four semesters. When he started college life his intention was to gain credits and transfer to a four-year school.

His agenda has since changed.

Burcin is the newest member and bassist for the rising indie-rock band Settle, based in Easton. Burcin joined up with Nick Rose, Willie Rose and Dave Goletz just less than two years ago through an audition and believes he has found his true calling.

"This is the only thing I'd want to be doing and I couldn't ask to be in a better band with better people," Burcin said. "These guys are like my family; I've never had closer friends before."

Last winter Settle won MTVU's Best Music on Campus competition and was awarded a spot on MTV's spring break in Cancun Mexico. Burcin joined the group in April.

Burcin is the youngest member of the group but by no means the least experienced. He began playing the guitar when he was about 6 and easily made the transition to bass guitar for the band.

"Chris's situation is unique," said Settle guitarist Nick Rose. "In the past, we've had a lot of members come and go but, we never had something legit that would entice anyone to join like we did when Chris wanted to try out."

Last May Settle signed with Epitaph Records based in Los Angeles. The band has since made several trips to LA to record and mix their debut album, causing Burcin to put his academic career on hold.

"Chris joined shortly after we did the MTVU thing in Cancun, and after Epitaph had expressed their interest in the band,"Rose said. "We were worried that anyone who wanted to play bass for us would play for the wrong reasons, so I guess we were concerned."

Sacrifices and life changes aside, Burcin said he couldn't be happier with his current situation and how well the band is doing.

"I think the best part about all of it is we're all in it for the same reason and that's because we just love music," Burcin said.

With all the traveling, performing and recording, Burcin is happy that his family and friends support him every step of the way.

"My family comes to all our shows around this area; they're just very supportive of everything I do," Burcin said. "We have so much support from our label and our manager is awesome. I don't think we could have a better team backing us up."

Settle's debut album is tentatively due out in mid-spring after the original release date was pushed back from January. Once the album comes out and is distributed, the guys will be hitting the road for a full U.S. tour, visiting a different city every night

"Honestly I'm so excited for the CD to be released, the songs sound amazing," Burcin said. "I just hope people enjoy our music as much as we do."

With the CD release date approaching rapidly and no long-distance obligations to the band, Burcin finds himself back at NCC for a fifth and final semester this spring. His plan is to earn his degree in Business Administration to back up his musical career.

dstokarski@student.northampton.edu

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