Unbeknownst to many, a group of Walter Johnson students have conjoined to form a band called Tiny Room. What started as a one-time thing at a birthday party, would soon become each member’s biggest accomplishment. Though fairly new, members believe it is headed for great success. 

The band is composed of senior Thomas Scanlon, senior Noah Mills, junior Macie Redmond and freshman Meyer Gordon. It was formed in September of last year. Each member discovered their passion for music early on, but most did not pursue it seriously until they commenced their high school career. 

Thomas Scanlon performs at The Pocket in DC. He was asked to open for a high school artist called Lucas Dimous. “When I’m older, I definitely want to do something music related,” Scanlon said. ((Courtesy Thomas Scanlon))

Scanlon has been exploring music since his freshman year. Though for different reasons, freshman year was the start of it all for Redmond, Scanlon, Gordon and Mills.

“It was an escape to me. I was going through a lot at the time and it was a good escape from that,” Scanlon said.

For Redmond, singing started from an early age. She found her passion for singing in fourth grade, yet she did not sing for a real band until her freshman year. 

“It was always something I enjoyed. I started with piano, and it eventually turned into singing,” Redmond said.

Mills was first introduced to music through instruments, too. He discovered his speciality, drums, when he was nine. After trying countless instruments, although he took a break from drums during quarantine, he soon resumed drums his freshman year as he found himself coming back to them every time. 

“I have always done instruments. I started with the piano, which didn’t work out. Then I tried guitar, which also didn’t work out. Then I tried drums, which is what stuck,” Mills said.

Similarly, Gordon uncovered his passion for music in his childhood. He has been playing guitar since he was six, and has been loyal to it. Now, as a freshman, he was able to join his first ever band.

“I tried guitar because it looked cool. I stuck with the guitar because it was the first instrument I played,” Gordon said. 

Mills is now the band’s lead drummer, Gordon is the guitarist along with Scanlon and Redmond mainly sings and composes songs along with the other members of the band. 

Composing original songs is one the achievements the band is the most proud of. 

”As a band, we were able to pump out so many original songs so fast,” Mills said. “Macie has ‘Baby Cat’, so we were kind of guaranteed a gig. We’ve done a lot repertoire-wise. I think that’s our main achievement.”

Baby Cat Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Kensington, Maryland. They have space for live music, which gives Tiny Room the chance to perform live, as Redmond’s father is one of the owners.

The band’s main genre is folk/rock. Tiny Room is not any of the members’ first band. The type of music they make differs from the music Redmond’s previous band used to produce.

”I was in a different band freshman and sophomore year but they all graduated. We definitely did more country and rock,” Redmond said. “We played songs everyone knows, a lot of country. We didn’t do that many originals back with who I was with before. It’s a different field now.”

Her previous band was split up because they left for college. As Scanlon and Mills are now close to graduating from high school, band members are exploring their options for the future. 

“We’re all going separate directions, but some of my friends who are in a band stayed together for a while, so I think we’ll probably do the thing where during breaks we’ll come back and do gigs,” Mills said.

Even if the band separates, all members can agree music is a key part of their lives and they are still planning to pursue it in the future. Mills hopes to major in music business to then work for a record company, and Scanlon is considering becoming a DJ. Redmond, while not sure of what exact pathway she will take, is certain music will forever be her passion.

“I think it’s been such a prominent interest in my life and something I do so often that it would be hard to let go,” Redmond said.

But, regardless of the future of the band, they are focused on the present and their short-term goals. One of them is inspiring and impacting their audience. 

“I want people to feel heard, and I want to make something they can connect with,” Scanlon said.

Each band member has their personal favorite original songs. Redmond’s favorite is a song Scanlon and Gordon wrote, called “My Dear,” because she believes it was well-written and unique. Mills’ favorite is a song called “Ask for Grass,” because it allowed him to excel in what he does best. 

”I like ‘Ask the Grass.’ We’re a folk-rock or folk [and] rock band, and my favorite genre isn’t really folk-based. This one has the most to do the most with drums. I was able to add a little bit more into that song specifically,” Mills said.

Despite how recent the band is, they have all been able to come together and create what they most love: music. Given all their previous experience, the members of Tiny Room are more apt than ever to excel in each of their fields, combining them into a band they are not likely to ever forget.