SOUNDCHECK: Battle of the Cans @ The Depot
Nate Kwak on guitar and Luke Carlson on bass. (Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)
KSCU, Santa Clara University’s student-run radio station, sent Solace to represent them at the Battle of the Cans, a concert-meets-food drive held at The Depot at San Francisco State University on Nov. 13, 2025.
The band competed alongside The Science Team from San Jose State University and Little Critter from San Francisco State, representing KSJS and KSFS respectively, in a friendly contest between the three student-run radio stations.
Fran Pezza ’26 singing her heart out. (Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)
The rules dictated that the winner would be determined by whichever group received the most food donations on their behalf.
Solace was the first of the three to take the stage with one message: “If you brought a can, drop it in any one of those bins—preferably one that starts with an ‘S’ and ends with an ‘olace,’” said Nate Kwak, one of the band’s few members who does not attend Santa Clara University.
Luke Carlson ’27 ripping on bass. (Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)
Solace’s ever-changing lineup featured their smallest yet, with vocalist Fran Pezza ’26, drummer and vocalist Adi Ranganathan ’26, guitarist Colin Friedel ’26, vocalist and guitarist Nate Kwak, bassist Luke Carlson ’27 and keyboardist Kai Imaya.
The setlist—mostly unchanged from Art Boutiki and Bandcamp—included jazzy undertones, spectacular solos, powerhouse duets and moments for each member to shine for a good cause.
“Shoutout to KSCU and Brix Brewster,” said Ranganathan, acknowledging Brix, a big supporter who showed them love on the livestream alongside other peers. “We love them.”
Followed by SJSU’s The Science Team, a thrash- and speed-metal-influenced group, and KSFS’s Little Critter, who leaned into groove metal and the Deftones-inspired sound prevalent in the Bay Area, the room filled with music enthusiasts from across the region.
Ultimately, KSCU was bested by KSJS in what was announced as a “landslide” victory, but the cause prevailed above all else.
The total crowd votes after Solace’s opening performance on behalf of KSCU. San Jose State University brought the largest audience presence of all the schools. (Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)
“It was great to see so many people show up with cans and to donate a heavy box of food,” Carlson said.
For the first time, The Santa Clara livestreamed the event, allowing fans to watch from home.
The Logistics
The Depot is located at 1650 Holloway Ave. on San Francisco State’s campus, on the lower conference level of the Cesar Chavez Student Center.
The drive from Santa Clara University to San Francisco State takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. We chose to park at SFSU Lot 20, which is open to the public at certain times and payable via PayByPhone. It cost approximately $11 to reserve a spot from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
According to the San Francisco State website, the recommended train routes are BART to Daly City, followed by Muni lines 28 or 58 to reach the campus. All information recommended by SFSU can be found on their website.
An Uber from Santa Clara University to San Francisco State is around $64 one way.