Local music scene, rising artists get boost from ‘stock exchange’
Staff Writer
CHRIS ASADIAN WASHTENAW VOICE
Finding worthwhile live entertainment can be pretty dicey. On one hand, you don’t want to risk it and end up suffering through some no-name’s big debut at a rinky-dink bar. On the other, the price of concert tickets at a large venue can become astronomical once Ticketmaster adds all those mysterious convenience charges.
Finally, there’s an answer.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Music on South U. This is the first weekly concert series allowing UM students and Ann Arbor residents to find entertainment, on their doorsteps. Every Friday around 10 p.m. — or whenever the bands show up — MyBandStock (MBS) presents local and regional bands at the Big Ten Burrito Cantina on South University Avenue.
MyBandStock.com offers music fans to invest in their favorite bands by purchasing “band stock.” Users of the site can also sell shares of their band stock, making them share holders.
“We’re really glad to include Ann Arbor in what is very exciting for the local music scene,” said Taylor Hulyk, who works in public relations of MBS.
Ypsilanti folkie, Matt Shmyr and Tiger! Tiger! from Atlanta are past acts at BTB, while the Ann Arbor rock/blues group, Argington, has already returned to BTB for a second serving of Music on South U. Concertgoers can also expect to see East coast indie bands This Island Earth and Legz for Dayz in the near future.
“We came back to BTB because we had a real positive experience our first gig,” said Argington front man Allan Fullerton. “The staff was friendly and accommodating and things went very smoothly. The setting is comfortable, and there is good food and drink.”
BTB recently installed a small stage in the Cantina. Above it, a green neon sign hangs displaying the phrase, “Make Burritos Not War.” Word is there are more additions to come.
“BTB takes their shows seriously. They accommodate the artists, and this in turn makes for a better environment and ultimately gives us all the chances to give a great performance,” Fullerton said. “It’s important that a place cares about the aesthetics. BTB is stepping toward not just a bar with music, but an actual venue. We’re always in need of those.”
Shows at BTB have a range of atmospheres, depending on how late it is in the night. Two-year BTB employee Liz Hawk thought shows are really upbeat and entertaining, especially when the dancing begins. Earlier in the night, the shows have been described as casual and relaxed.
CHRIS ASADIAN WASHTENAW VOICE
“It’s great that anyone on campus can come or go as they please. This means the bands have a better chance at getting heard by a good chunk of people,” Fullerton said.
“It’s fairly laid back and a great forum for friends to see each other play, promote shows and get their CDs and merch out. (It’s) a low pressure situation.”
On a typical night at BTB, cover bands will jam to ’90s and contemporary rock, tunes mostly everyone knows. But that wasn’t the case in the beginning. When MBS first started booking bands at BTB, they were dealing with nothing but independent artists, which was really difficult to maintain, explained Leahy. Now that they’ve changed the lineup, they couldn’t be happier. Business is booming, Leahy says.
“It’s a great college scene. We start the night off with acoustic music. Then we bring in the cover bands. By the end of the night, the place is packed,” said President of MBS Drew Leahy. “Cover bands are the most entertaining because they’ll play songs everyone knows. It’s really fun to be a part of.”
MyBandStock.com presents a win-win situation for everyone involved, explained Leahy. For the fans, they can score merchandise, concert tickets, and music downloads directly from their favorite artists based on how much stock they purchase. MBS itself makes money from each transaction made on the site. Artists get publicity from being affiliated with MBS and can connect with fans on a more personal level because each stock that is bought supports them directly.
The company started with a simple question from MBS Co-Founder Kevin Pritchard: “What if you could buy stock in a band?” Two years later, with a little help from producers, graphic designers, web developers and public finance professionals, MBS has turned into a profitable business model.
Of all places, MBS chose to book its shows at BTB. The reason? Location, location, location.
It’s close to the UM campus, making it a short trek for college kids. The concerts began in June when college students were away from Ann Arbor for the summer. But the convenient location has been remarkably profitable when school resumed. Admittance is 18 years or older and there is a suggested $5 cover charge.
“We’re mostly working on supporting big bands in Ann Arbor, but we hope to keep expanding. The difference between where we started and where we are at now is amazing,” Leahy said.
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