Jackie Swoyer, HC’s very own PR/Marketing Campus Correspondent, sat down with her equally talented and endearing boyfriend to discuss songwriting, Rocket Power and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”
Name: Ian McAuley
Hometown: Fort Myers, FL
Major: Computer Science with a Math minor
Relationship Status: Taken (Sorry, Collegiettes!™)
Her Campus (HC): Why computer science?
Ian McAuley (IM): I stumbled into it as a divisional class sophomore year, and I stuck with it. Think about the apps you use on your smart phones—that’s the kind of stuff I get to build every day. For my honors thesis, I’m working on a WFU tour app that prospective students could use.
(HC): That’s really neat. What do you like to do in your free time?
(IM): In season, I’m all about watching college football. Otherwise, I’m really into music. I like to play guitar whenever I get the chance.
(HC): How long have you played guitar?
(IM): Since I was in 8th grade. I also play drums and bass guitar. I’ve played in several bands and even recorded my own full-length album last year.
(HC): That’s awesome. What was it like recording a full-length album in a studio?
(IM): Stressful and exhausting, yet it was a great experience. It’s very awkward hearing your own voice over loud studio speakers. You never really know how bad you are at singing until you hear it in that context.
(HC): I could see that being awkward. What are most of your songs about?
(IM): Let’s go with … a variety of things. Moody girls, people who make unfortunate decisions, even kicka** Chinese food. Inspiration can come from pretty much anywhere.
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(HC): Where can we hear your songs?
(IM): Unfortunately my songs are currently stuck behind the curtain waiting for copyrights. I’ll probably put them on iTunes eventually, but recording the album was mostly just for me. Maybe one day I’ll get a band together, and we can bring it to life. For now, if you want a taste, you can find a track here.
(HC): That’s so cool! You’ve got a great sound. So let’s get to the fun stuff. Who is your biggest man crush?
(IM): Right now, Matt Bomer’s character from USA’s White Collar. He may not drink Dos Equis, but he is definitely the most interesting man in the world.
(HC): So if you ran into Matt Bomer today on the street, what would you do or say?
(IM): I’d freak out. But I probably wouldn’t approach him or anything … I’m not worthy of his presence.
(HC): If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be?
(IM): Otto Rocket. That kid was good at everything, except street luge. Props to anyone who gets that reference.
(HC): What’s your worst habit?
(IM): I tend to air drum a lot when I drive. It doesn’t bother me, but I get made fun of a lot for it.
(HC): Boxers or briefs?
(IM): Boxers, of course. My boys need room to breathe.
(HC): Ideal first date?
(IM): Somewhere that it’s easy to talk. A quiet restaurant is good. Movies are not. I’m not 16 anymore.
(HC): In the holiday spirit, what’s your favorite Christmas song?
(IM): Not really sure. But I can tell you that nothing ruins an intimate experience more than “Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer.”
(HC): Is there a story behind that?
(IM): (Laughs) I’ll pass.
*Photography by Karleigh Ash