Bound2Be Celebrates Anniversary With Homecoming Concert
20 years after its start, Beaver graduates bring Bound2Be back to BVU for a Friday night concert
Twenty years after its founding, Bound2Be returns to Buena Vista University, where it all began for the musicians who nearly made Edson Hall their home one J-term. The Des Moines-based band entertains students, alumni, and BVU friends during a concert at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13, on the South Forum Lawn.
“We couldn’t have imagined as college kids jamming in a dorm room in Pierce Hall that we’d be back 20 years later to play at Homecoming,” said Nick Nystrom, a 2005 BVU graduate who works for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “It is such a cool idea. We are honored to be able to help celebrate Homecoming by putting on a show.”
“We were told during J-term we could use the music building (Edson Hall) any time we wanted. We’d play for hours, sometimes all night, and then let ourselves out.”
Nick Nystrom, Bound2Be member and BVU graduate
Music wasn’t really on Nystrom’s radar early in his days as a BVU Beaver. The Boone native came to BVU intent on playing football and studying business. But, he also packed a guitar and had passing thoughts of learning to play.
“I began bugging my friends by playing guitar and they told me about Gabe Chamberlin, who also lived on the first floor of Pierce and also played guitar,” Nystrom said.
Soon, the two began playing guitar together. Nystrom took a J-term class called Introduction to Music Theory. Jake Bustad, a 2006 BVU grad who now serves as an Associate Professor at Towson University, was also in the class. He began playing keyboard while lead vocalist Chamberlin backed Nystrom on guitar. Drummer Ryan Barnes, then a BVU student who still plays with Bound2Be, joined the band.
“We were told during J-term we could use the music building (Edson Hall) any time we wanted,” Nystrom remembered. “Campus Security would let us in. We’d play for hours, sometimes all night, and then let ourselves out. We played covers, wrote songs, and built up enough for an album of 10 songs called ‘10 Feet Off the Ground.’ We ordered CDs and began playing shows.”
Bound2Be (the name comes from a lyric in a John Mayer song) played at the Centennial Room on Buenafication Day. The band played at Malarky’s, where Nystrom also worked as a DJ. Bound2Be played at Puff’s and the Blue Lagoon. The band also entertained at BVU’s first EdgeFest music festival. Gigs would follow in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Des Moines, Sioux City, and the Twin Cities. The last two years and this upcoming year the Des Moines Make-A-Wish Foundation booked the band for a gala after-party at the Iowa Events Center.
Chamberlin, a 2004 graduate, works by-day with Transamerica. Barnes, who serves FedEx during the work week, enjoyed professional stints as a drummer with the Carnival Cruise Line and in Las Vegas. Justin Goes replaced Bustad with Bound2Be 15 years ago.
“We’ve recently acquired some studio space at a spot 15 to 20 minutes from our homes,” Nystrom said. “We’d like to write some new songs and continue to play up to 10 shows per year. Coming back to play at BVU for Homecoming is such a thrill for all of us. We can’t wait to see everyone!”