For many students, becoming a music artist is just a dream, but for Senior Cal Pflum, it ended up becoming a reality. What started as a way to pass the time during hockey season has turned into regular performances, songwriting, and plans for the future. What started as something casual quickly became more serious. He mostly taught himself, only recently beginning lessons with a professional.
Pflum stated that he first picked up a guitar during his sophomore year after being sidelined from hockey. What started as something casual quickly became more serious. He mostly taught himself, only recently beginning lessons with a professional. “I needed something to do for the winter, and I grabbed a guitar my dad used to play,” Pflum said.
Since then, his playing has grown into something much bigger. He now practices almost every day, usually for about an hour, often learning songs he finds on Spotify using an app to follow chords. His first song was “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan, and his style still reflects that same country influence.
Performing has also become a big part of his routine. During the summer especially, he performs multiple times a week, usually doing solo gigs with just his guitar, microphone, and amp. His sets include both covers and original songs, giving him a chance to share his own music as well.“I just show up, set up, introduce myself, and then play,” Pflum said.
While learning guitar came quickly at first, he said one of the hardest parts has been staying consistent over time. Pushing through the plateau and continuing to improve has been one of his biggest challenges. “You get good pretty fast, but then you hit a plateau,” Pflum said.
Outside of performing, songwriting has become one of his favorite parts of music. He often writes songs as gifts for friends and family, including his siblings and girlfriend. He described it as both difficult and meaningful. “It’s the hardest thing you can do, picking the right words,” Pflum said.
For now, Pflum continues to build his experience one performance at a time. What started as a way to pass the time has turned into something much bigger, and he hopes it’s only the beginning. Looking ahead, Pflum hopes music can play a major role in his future. He plans to attend Montana State and join Air Force ROTC, with the goal of balancing both paths. Ideally, he wants to continue performing in college and eventually turn music into a full-time career. “Anything to get out of a nine-to-five,” Pflum said.