COLUMN: Get out there and support local musicians
The Mount Pleasant music scene is broken.
The lack of venues has driven bands from our once-musically-thriving small town in the middle of nowhere.
I’ve been going to shows at bars since I was 16. I still remember the feeling of watching my friends on stage, performing covers of songs I had loved from my childhood.
That Mustache Feeling was the first show I went to at Rubble’s Bar downtown, 112 W. Michigan St.
The band had a couple hundred people packed into the tiny dive bar. We were all dancing and enjoying the show.
As I got older, I saw more shows at Rubble’s. I saw Michelle Chamuel of "The Voice" and her band, Ella Riot, when they were My Dear Disco.
I met my boyfriend, the lead singer of Elliot Street Lunatic and guitarist of Lights & Caves, at that show. Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers grew into their own in Mount Pleasant.
With an ever-changing demographic and audience, Mount Pleasant is unique. The bars struggle to keep up with new bands and new sounds. They need to find a band that will draw in new audiences but won’t push away certain crowds.
I’ve heard from numerous bands that they wish they had better venues to play at in this town. It’s a struggle to find a venue that will let in minors but also has a great PA system and sound guy.
While each venue in town has something unique to offer, each also has its own issues to work with.
Until this sleepy, little college town can come up with a venue like The Loft in Lansing or The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, we’re going to be stuck in a rut.
Bands will not come here if we don’t go out to see them. I know a $10 cover can suck, but at Rubble’s, that money goes directly to the bands that are playing. You’re paying their gas and food and possible rent by supporting them.
These are musicians. They have another job – or three – outside of their music so they can support themselves and their unhealthy music obsessions. The members spend their own money putting out CDs and sometimes don’t charge for them.
Bands come back and put on shows because they want to share their feelings and thoughts and music with the community. They want to get their names out there.
I love going to local shows. I love seeing the talent Michigan musicians have. I’ve met some of my best friends by going to shows.
Get out there. Spend that $10 and support your fellow students in their dreams.
