Name : Nick Ferreirae
Pronunciation of your last name: Fee-eh (like you’re Canadian).
Year: Sophomore
Major : Dual degree in Math and Jazz Studies
Involvement on campus: Several Jazz groups on campus, Jazz club, service projects (Outreach, etc). Also, I’m in a band called It Goes On. But I am full-time Boombox Guy.
What inspired you to walk around campus with a boombox over your shoulder?
I got the idea in high school and thought it would be fun to walk around blasting music in between classes to keep things fun and interesting. I had this old crappy stereo I walked around with in high school and didn’t bring it with me last year, but after fall semester I missed having it so that’s when I decided to build the new one over winter break last year.
There’s been speculation that your hair possesses special powers, much like the biblical figure Samson, which allow you to play the boombox wirelessly through campus. Any truth to this claim?
Well, I built the boombox from an old suitcase from a thrift shop, car speakers, a rechargeable battery, the audio amplifier, and a bluetooth receiver. I had been looking online for a nice bluetooth portable speaker to use as a type of boombox to carry around campus playing music, but everything I found was either too small or too expensive. I then looked into DIY projects of people who had made their own boomboxes using various materials. I’m able to control the music via bluetooth and my iPhone. (But yes, it is mainly the hair.)
How do you choose which music to play while walking to class?
I tend to draw from more funky/old school music, things like motown, R&B, funk, classic rock, things like that – anything that most everyone can agree is good fun music and they can jam to in between classes. I try to pick stuff with a lot of energy that people can dance to or that just makes them smile as I pass by.
Have you gotten any notable reactions?
Most everyone who gives a reaction seems to dig it, which is really nice. I’ve only ever had a few negative reactions but it always makes me happy when someone comes up to me and says it makes their day or something along that line.
Do you mind being known as “Boombox Guy”?
Not at all; it kind of comes with the territory since I guess that’s the only thing that a lot of people know about me.
Could you describe the personality of your cellestial mane?
Franz: the chillest, illest yoga instructor you’ve ever seen. Do you agree?
I’ve never agreed more with anything in my entire life ever.
Chiiiiiiiilll.
Photos: Ashley Easterly, Photo Editor, Tulane Hullabaloo. 2014; Nick Ferreirae.