Indie club offers music alternative
Organized less than three months ago, they exist under a cryptic catchphrase:
Silence is a dangerous sound.
The Utah State University independent music club, founded by political science major Jared Shores, exists to serve the needs of students interested in independent music and independent thought.
“I saw a need,” Shores said in explaining why he decided to start the club. “I’m a big fan of independent music, the whole do it yourself idea. There’s such a desire in these kids [at USU] to want to do something with music but they didn’t know how. I just wanted to organize everyone.”
Though they try to meet every other week in the Sage Room in the Taggert Student Center, there are no fixed days or times for the meetings.
“We try to work around everyone’s work schedules,” Shores said.
The basic philosophy of independent music, Shores said, is that bands can and should focus on playing and producing music themselves without corporate help
“Together we can do anything we want,” Shores said. “We can have the best artwork, we can have the best music, we can support ourselves, we can have a great cause and support benefits and we can make a difference.”
Last Thursday, the club held its second concert of the year where four local bands played in the Lundstrom Student Center. Proceeds from the concert went to benefit the Arc of Utah which works for people with cognitive disabiliiteis.
“The money goes to buy presents for disabled people who can’t work,” Shores said. “We’re trying to help the Arc buy presents for them. It’s just the time of year, I think everyone should.”
Though they have only held two events thus far, Shores would like to see the club beginning holding two to three concerts a month.
Though many club members, there are approximately 30 members, belong to bands, others are just lovers of independent thought and good music, Shores said.
“Independent thought is the realization that what you do with your time and what you watch, and what you buy and what you consume all says something about who you are and what you’re about,” Shores said, adding his own thoughts on the difference between independent thought and society.
“Independent is not what society’s about. Society wants you to conform and buy, they want you to fear, they want you to go, ‘shoot, they have a brand-new car and I don’t’ and ‘holy hell, what if my sneakers are old,’ and this is about saying f-that, we don’t need that, we’ve got each other and we’re gonna make a difference.”
The club is currently looking for local bands to play at an upcoming show in January.
“I’m always looking for bands, I’m always looking for new talent and anyone that wants to have good music that isn’t cliché sounding,” Shores said. “I like anti-radio friendly music.”
For those interested in joining the club or bands interested in performing at the club’s upcoming shows, contact Jared Shores through e-mail at jshores@cc.usu.edu.
-mattgo@cc.usu.edu