Ramsey, who has over 10 years of classical piano training and was previously a trombone major, plays guitar-based indie pop much like the style of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan, among others. He said he was impressed with the local music scene.
"It's not hard to find some really talented original shows around here, if you look hard enough," he said. "You have to seek it out. Most of it is covers."
Benjamin Rothbart, the self-taught bassist for State College-based The Man, doesn't share the same sentiments about the local music scene.
"If someone wants to go to a bar and drink and listen to Bon Jovi covers, that's their prerogative," he said. "I like to give people an alternative."
Rothbart said his instrumental band was a "heavily funk-influenced, fusion" group, but also said listeners should draw their own conclusions about the band's sound.
"Music is not meant to be talked about," he said. "It's meant to be listened to."
Nero Catalano is the guitarist and one of the singers for the Philadelphia-based 722.
"Everyone but the drummer sings," he said. "We all bring a different character to the floor."
Catalano said 722 plays guitar-driven rock and is a band that sounds like "a theater cast and a rock band, joined forces."
Paul Weinstein, class of 2005 and a former Collegian reporter, plays guitar for the headlining MJ Project, another instrumental band. He said the fact that the band has been playing together since "ninth grade or earlier" has helped its music greatly.
"We got the bad stuff out of the way when no one was listening," he said. "Now, we're more mature, and we practice harder. You don't have to worry about guys going off in crazy directions. You can take risks and know they'll work."
After high school, the band members went their separate ways to various universities, but tried to keep playing together when they met up on various breaks and vacations.
The year prior to their senior year of college, they decided they would pursue the band as a professional, eventually full-time goal.
Weinstein said he was never in a band while at Penn State, but looks forward to playing in State College and may end up doing it often.
"We play a lot in Philly, Pittsburgh and Erie," he said. "So having a central hub like State College would be great."
Weinstein said the outdoor atmosphere would be a good experience for anyone who wants to come out even "if people just want to hang out."
Catalano said that -- indoors or outdoors -- the crowd can help make it a more enjoyable show.
"If everyone is there to have a good time, that's the best atmosphere," he said.
