By Diana Dopfel

Whether rock or punk, a company for artist development and management, it seems that Northeastern’s music program, including concentrations in music industry and technology, has attracted some true talent.

That’s not to say that all musicians are music majors, but in the case of the band most recently uncovered by The News, it is a statement that holds true. The Laura Glyda Band is lucky to have had the opportunity to study what it is that they love most: music.

This time the music is rock with influences of blues and folk and one truly enjoyable sound encompassing a passionate voice. Despite the name, the “Laura Glyda Band,” the members of the band that are not Laura Glyda, (and who could never be confused as the lead vocalist, due to an obvious sex difference) do not seem to mind that the name gives all credit to Laura.

“I think she is the most brilliant songwriter that I have met, and honestly, there really is no other name that could do her justice,” said lead guitarist, Chris Porter.

The Laura Glyda Band is comprised of three Northeastern seniors and one recent graduate, they are Laura Glyda, Joe Sullivan, Chris Porter and Dave Traver. All members of the band have taken advantage of Northeastern’s music industry and/or music technology and multimedia programs, which served to expand and challenge the musical talents of the group. Music has been the passion of the group all their lives — and they met here, at Northeastern.

Laura Glyda, lead singer and acoustic guitarist reminisces about her younger days. “I started playing the piano at a very young age … two or three years old,” Glyda said. “I was always singing. Eventually, I was able to figure things out on the guitar instead of the piano, and it became my primary source for songwriting.”

At such a young age the Chicago native could not possibly have imagined a pasttime and potentially a career playing in Boston clubs along with three other talented musicians. Porter and drummer Sullivan grew up together in their Rhode Island hometown. Traver, bassist, warr guitarist, and backup vocalist, is originally from upstate New York.

“Dave, I think, was born playing the bass,” Porter said of his fellow guitarist.

A music enthusiast might have seen the Laura Glyda Band around town or on campus recently. Although the fabulous four did not come together until April 2002, they have played clubs in Chicago and Rhode Island as well as some local venues in Boston. The band headlined at the House of Blues in Cambridge last summer and will be playing afterHOURS April 27.

As the band spent more time together, their sound began to take shape. Though Laura is the principle songwriter, the entire group has worked on the music, taking an acoustic rock sound and turning it into a more band-oriented style that is very pleasing to the ear.

“I am no longer a single musician, trying to encompass all the things that make a great song. We all take turns making the songs great and giving the audience something to keep listening for. That’s what being a band is about,” Glyda explained.

The band is currently recording an album at Rear Window Studio in Brookline. Though it has been a long process, the group has no regrets.

“Too many bands rush into recording,” Porter said. “That’s something we really want to avoid … we don’t want to do anything half-assed.”

The extra time and effort put into the Laura Glyda Band’s first album will produce something to be truly proud of. Although the band is not yet on the market, they always have a gig to play. In addition to the afterHOURS show coming up this month, the band also has a tentative date set for the Paradise Rock club.

As the members of the Laura Glyda Band prepare to leave their Northeastern career behind, the group was asked what they saw in their future.”We plan on staying together,” Glyda said. “We hope to take the band as far as it can possibly go. Playing music has become my life…and if I can get paid for it, well, then I’d say that’s just about all I’d ever need.” Porter, Sullivan, and Traver agreed.

“I always joke with her and tell her that she is going to make it,” said Porter. “She is falling into every famous rock clich