In the whirlwind of college life, music serves as both a source of entertainment and a therapeutic outlet. Tulane University students have the added benefit of living in New Orleans, a city renowned for its musical legacy and vibrant scene. 

Tulane itself is home to emerging talents, including the bands Off Broadway and Ultrasound. We had the pleasure of talking to these student musicians about what fuels their passion.

Off Broadway: A new spin on an old favorite

Off Broadway, branded as a cover band playing at a variety of bars and Greek parties, is a fresh addition to Tulane’s music scene, formed earlier this year.

Luke Kirchner had been playing the drums for 10 years when he joined his first campus band, Noise Ordinance, during his freshman year. He continued with the group through his sophomore year until it disbanded when the lead singer graduated. Not wanting the music to end, Kirchner and fellow bandmate and bassist Jack Shirley decided to form a new group. This time, they recruited lead singer Lily Milgram, who first introduced Kirchner to Noise Ordinance, as well as Cooper Pertchik and Nate Gromek as guitarists.

Milgram has brought new energy and a fresh voice to the group. “Now that it’s Off Broadway and there’s a female singer, we’ve been able to add some different kinds of songs that you wouldn’t have heard from Noise Ordinance. We’ve got Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood, and I think the crowds are responding really well to that,” Milgram said, who is just returning to singing after studying abroad. “I’m enjoying becoming immersed again in the chaos of rehearsals and technical difficulties that lead to unplanned three-minute guitar solos and remembering how to engage with a crowd. It’s like getting back on a bike,” she said. “I’m having a ton of fun, and I’m very grateful.”

The band’s setlist leans heavily on crowd-pleasers — think country pop and classic rock anthems, from Taylor Swift to Bon Jovi. “We walk the fine line between being artists and entertainers,” Kirchner said. “When we choose songs, we think, ‘Would we want to hear this in a bar?’ If the answer is no, we’re probably not going to play it.”

Their approach seems to be working, despite the challenges of starting over by building their own brand while also complying with a setlist that features only covers of popular songs, sometimes ruling out the members’ personal picks. Off Broadway’s high-energy performances have connected with Tulane’s “going out crowd.”  

“It’s always really cool to be a part of people’s celebrations, and we’re pretty good at getting a crowd up and singing along and dancing,” Milgram said. “There’s definitely always something for everyone.”

The band is eagerly anticipating their next big performance at the Joy Theater on Nov. 8, alongside other bands like Apricot Jam, Homesick and Fire Hazard. “It’s going to be a fantastic show,” Kirchner said.

“It’s an opportunity to really show what we can do and keep growing our following,”  Milgram said.

Ultrasound: Original tracks from Lafayette, Louisiana

If you’re more into original tracks and alternative sounds, Ultrasound often performs their own songs in addition to covers. “We’re actually coming out with our first album. It’s ’90s, rock-inspired stuff,” said bassist Jacques Gachassin. “We love bands like Alice in Chains and Rage Against the Machine — not so much for the lyrics, but for the instrumental vibe.”

The band’s journey began years before college, when Gachassin and drummer Curtis Hidalgo started playing together in seventh grade. “It was absolutely awful at first,” Gachassin said. “We practiced the same song over and over again in our poor, poor friend’s house. His parents must have hated us.”

Their original music has started to gain traction. Ultrasound’s song “Fullbacks” has become a favorite among students who enjoy impromptu hallway performances at Monroe Residence Hall. “A few people heard it, liked it and showed up to hear us play live. It’s a different vibe performing it for a real crowd,” Gachassin said.

For Gachassin, being part of the band hasn’t always been easy. “There’s definitely been drama between members,” he said. “But in the end, it’s about the music. You have to look past the drama and remember why you’re there.”

Ultrasound’s biggest moment so far has been performing at the Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette. “It’s a huge festival, and even though we played on a smaller stage, it was still a big deal. A great crowd, all there for our original tunes,” he said. “It’s different from playing at a college bar — it’s more about the music than just getting the crowd hyped.”

Both Off Broadway and Ultrasound emphasize that, while their styles and goals may differ, they share a love for the New Orleans music scene and the community it fosters. 

“I think more music is better,” Kirchner said. “The scene is going to explode pretty soon, and it’s going to be really fun seeing all these bands playing different types of music.”  

Gachassin mentioned he would be present at Off Broadway’s show at TJ Quill’s. There is undeniable space for these two bands to grow in line with their individual ambitions, so keep an eye out.