By Megan Guerrero

Music is a universal language that transcends age, culture, gender, and social class. Whether through playing an instrument, singing, or simply listening, music has a unique power to connect people.

However, we often forget that there is a world of genres, artists, and subcultures to explore that go beyond our own usual playlists. That is why, every Friday, Granada Hills Charter (GHC) music-enthusiasts gather at lunch at the GHC Unplugged Club.

There, they broaden their musical horizons, share their passions, and learn more about the art form they love.

The club was founded just last year in 2023, based on the MTV series “Unplugged,” a 90’s hit television series where popular artists at the peak of their popularity would perform acoustic versions of their hits. The Unplugged Club emulates the show’s take on sharing music by providing a small, relaxed, community where members can listen, analyze, and enjoy albums together.

“My favorite memory from the club was last year, when our last year’s president gave a presentation about Tupac,” senior and club president Orion Ortiz said. “He took his time and effort to really talk about him, and his impact on music. I learned so much that I didn’t previously know because I don’t usually listen to Tupac’s music.”

Lots of research and planning happens to prepare for the meetings. Firstly, club members participate in choosing the next album of the week by voting for their favorite choice out of three. After the decision is made, Ortiz and club officers research the album and artist by reading music reviews and watching video essays. After which they create a presentation to share with the club on the day of the meeting.

“This year, I did a presentation on the album ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ by Ethel Cain,” Ortiz said. “It was really fun and I got really into it. I watched hours of documentaries and video explanations about the album to make the presentation, and I really went in depth for each song because the album is long and is filled with a lot of content.”

Ortiz and his club officers are planning how they will hand their legacy over to the underclassmen so that the club’s mission can continue.

The club hopes that in the future, they’ll be able to attract more members, discuss more diverse albums, and make a community where people can feel comfortable with each other to bond over music.