Emily Tobiason

Most Cal Poly students navigate the bustling concrete campus, weaving through crowds and clanging bells to get to class. Environmental management and protection senior Moe Lee’s schedule looks a bit different. Their usual route is along a lengthy gravel path, past endless rows of fruit trees. After walking through a fence, Lee arrives at their place of learning: the Cal Poly Organic Farm.

Nestled in a neighborhood by the San Luis Obispo railroad is Jan’s Place, a small vinyl bar serving local beer, wine, cider and fresh beats. Its walls are dazzled with strategically placed acoustic soundproofing, a turntable, seating for 20 and an impressive array of records spanning all sorts of genres. Jan’s Place is “a space where the acoustics are so good that you can sit and listen to music and have a conversation, both at normal volumes,” its website says. “Cozy, not loud.

There wasn’t a clock in sight when Wand’s Cory Hanson, Evan Burrows, Robbie Cody and Evan Backer recorded their sixth studio album in Cody’s apartment. The sound of musical improvisation drowned out any trace of insistent ticking — the group knew that time was on their side. The Los Angeles band released their last studio LP “Laughing Matter” half a decade ago.