Student juggles career as a lead guitarist.
Chris Dombrowski ’19 is something of a modern-day superhero. By day, he is an entertainment marketing major. By night, he is the lead guitarist for the New Jersey-based band Sentinels.
But sometimes the days and nights blend together, and Dombrowski is left juggling the responsibilities that come from being a full-time student and a full-time musician.
“It’s about managing your priorities,” Dombrowski said.
He added that while his education is his top priority, following his passion is important as well.
“Sometimes I will have homework that’s due, but I’m stuck at the studio all the way in Jersey,” Dombrowski said. “Any overlapping work becomes stressful, so I end up doing homework while recording, and I try my best to not let anything affect the quality of the work being done.”
Established in 2013, when Dombrowski was a student at Saint Peter’s Preparatory High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, the Sentinels are part of a genre Dombrowski described as “progressive metal.” The five band members include bassist Danny Cruz, drummer Dave Rucki, guitarist Thomas Cardon, vocalist Joe Benducci, and Dombrowski.
Dombrowski’s mother, Mary Dombrowski, said she is impressed with what her son has had to juggle in college as he pursues his passion.
“His ability to balance both has gotten him where he is now, and we’re very proud of his accomplishments,” Mary Dombrowski said.
This year is a turning point for Sentinels, with a lot of growth and headway in the industry. That means more challenges for Dombrowski, the youngest member of the band and the only full-time student.
“We’ve been in and out of the studio for a little over a month, and I’ve been going almost every day. It’s been rough,” Dombrowski said. “The producers and studio need me, so with school in mind, I have to find the time to commute.”
Located in Belleville, New Jersey, the band’s studio is called Graphic Nature and is an upgrade from their previous recording location, a friend’s basement. At Graphic Nature, the band has been working on a yet-to-be-titled, extended play record (EP).
“No promises, but the EP should be ready for release around the fall of this year,” Dombrowski said.
While working on the EP, the band can spend up to half a day nearly every day recording and tracking in the studio.
“There have been times where I had to miss multiple studio sessions because of an important exam or assignment, forcing me to play catch-up with the producers,” Dombrowski said.
But Dombrowski’s fellow band members acknowledged his hard work.
“To be in a full-time band and being a full-time student can be something very difficult and hard to manage, but it can be accomplished. Chris easily shows that with the drive and motivation to pursue your dreams, you can make anything happen,” said Cruz, who graduated in 2017 from Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City.
Sentinels’ past music releases includes their 2016 album, “World Divide,” as well as their single “Neurosis,” released last October and available on almost every music streaming platform.
While their untitled EP is still in the works, Sentinels continue to perform and entertain. They will play a 10-day tour starting on April 17 with renowned guitarist Jason Richardson. That tour includes the annual, weekend-long New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on April 21 in Worcester, Massachusetts.
