The Charger Blog

Music Industry MajorӰԭs Band Recognized with ӰԭTop AlbumӰԭ Award

Carl Giannelli Ӱԭ24 is a founding member of the rock band Kim Normal, and the bandӰԭs second album ӰԭPicturesqueӰԭ was named one of ӰԭConnecticutӰԭs top 20 albums of 2021Ӱԭ by The Hartford Courant.

January 18, 2022

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications


Group image of Carl Giannelli Ӱԭ24 (right), Dr. Patrick Rivers and fellow student Ryan Wall Ӱԭ23 at the UniversityӰԭs Beat-Maker Brunch.
Carl Giannelli Ӱԭ24 (right) with Dr. Patrick Rivers and fellow student Ryan Wall Ӱԭ23 at the UniversityӰԭs Beat-Maker Brunch.

When Carl Giannelli Ӱԭ24 was in elementary school, his parents introduced him to the music of and , sparking his lifelong interest in music. He then began listening to bands such and and the , and he was inspired to begin writing his own music.

A music industry major from , Giannelli is a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter who formed his own band, , in 2016. He and his bandmates, drummer Ethan Williams and bassist Conor McCarthy, recently released their sophomore album, Picturesque. It was recognized by , which included it among its list of the .

ӰԭIt was quite the honor and very humbling,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭTo see the album recognized in a publication as respected as The Hartford Courant means a lot and inspires me to create more music.

ӰԭWhile writing the eight songs I contributed to the album, I found myself learning a lot of new things about myself, not only as a songwriter, but as a human being,Ӱԭ he continued. ӰԭThrough writing the lyrics for songs such as and I gained a greater understanding and appreciation for things that were happening in my life at the time. For those songs and the album as a whole to resonate with people holds great intrinsic value for me, for which I am most thankful.Ӱԭ

ӰԭI really love to share musicӰԭ

Giannelli says he and his bandmates listen to a variety of different genres and styles of music, and their different influences all come through in the music they create. He describes Kim Normal as a Ӱԭpower trio primarily influenced by 80s and 90s indie rock while maintaining a modern, fuzzy edge.Ӱԭ Recently, artists such as Big Star and Cat Stevens have been informing his songwriting.

An advocate for music, Giannelli enjoys documenting and archiving important moments in music, both past and present. He is passionate about sharing his love of music Ӱԭ something he has already done at the University. , he has recommended music to his fellow Chargers, an opportunity he describes as Ӱԭvery fulfilling.Ӱԭ

ӰԭI really love to share music that I think is important, innovative, or just interesting to me,Ӱԭ said Giannelli, a member of the UniversityӰԭs Music Industry Club who is involved with , the UniversityӰԭs radio station. ӰԭWhen I hear about a band or record that has something special or unique about them, I try my hardest to make as many people aware of that band or record as I can.Ӱԭ

Image of Carl Giannelli Ӱԭ24 onstage with Kim Normal at the Space Ballroom in Hamden, CT.
Carl Giannelli Ӱԭ24 onstage with Kim Normal at the Space Ballroom in Hamden, CT.
ӰԭӰԭWhyӰԭ music works the way it doesӰԭ

GiannelliӰԭs passion for music has also inspired his research as a music industry student. His most in-depth project began as a result of his ӰԭIntroduction to World MusicӰԭ course taught by Patrick Rivers, Ph.D. Exploring Norwegian black metal, a genre he describes as Ӱԭmisunderstood in America for decades,Ӱԭ Giannelli focused his work on bands from America and the United Kingdom that influenced the movement. He learned about how Norwegian musicians reinterpreted these bands for their own creative endeavors.

ӰԭIt was interesting to learn how black metal was essentially formed out of these artists' love for traditional heavy metal, including , combined with U.K. punk rock such as G.B.H.,Ӱԭ he explained. ӰԭMy hope was that I was able to demystify the genre to a certain extent, which I believe my research did. It has given me the ability to discuss this genre with other listeners and give them a new appreciation for it, which is truly great.Ӱԭ

Giannelli is looking forward to going on tour with Kim Normal when it is safe to do so, as well as working on new material. In the meantime, he is focused on continuing to develop as a musician and as an advocate for Ӱԭ and student of Ӱԭ music.

ӰԭStudying music industry has helped me continue to develop as a listener and musician alike,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭI had the chance to start taking courses with Professor Adam Caress last year, and his wisdom about the music industry has been more than helpful as I continue to navigate the industry myself.

ӰԭI have also been really proud of my growth in understanding music theory, thanks to Professor Albert Celotto,Ӱԭ Giannelli continued. ӰԭHis mentorship has made it possible for me to understand ӰԭwhyӰԭ music works the way it does, which is invaluable for me.Ӱԭ