Independent Music Club gets a little help from the Web

The Student Life section of Utah State Today highlights work written by a talented student journalist at Utah State University. Each week, the editor selects a story that has been published in The Utah Statesman or the Hard News Cafe' for inclusion in Utah State Today.

 

By Ben Hibshman in the Hard News Café, February 27, 2008

 

Short intro: Available interactive material just one feature of the campus club

 

Some people feel they have to look everywhere for something to do in their spare time. Utah State's Independent Music Club, or IMC, feels that never-ending question can be answered by simply participating in the club, not only through events held, but through its online forums and Web sites.

The IMC may not have events every night of the week, or every minute of the day, but you may access the IMC's interactive material at any time. The IMC sponsors and hosts two Web sites. Club members are able to access and gain information from both.

The first IMC Web site is The Logan Scene. While the IMC only sponsors this online forum, it is a place where members can go to strike up discussion with other club members. Participants of the music community in Cache Valley and the surrounding area also frequently visit this forum. The Logan Scene has four separate board categories. Between these categories, forum members are able to find out about concerts in Cache Valley and throughout Utah. A category is also dedicated to anything involving music. Classified ads are also available for members to search for and sell musical equipment.

"The Logan Scene is a place where anyone can come voice their opinion on music in Cache Valley," said Josh Murdock, The Logan Scene creator. "It is a place for people to realize how much is really going on around here."

Along with The Logan Scene, the IMC also has decided to go worldwide with an official Myspace page, which is the second site the IMC sponsors. The IMC Myspace page has a calendar of events, blog and media player where users are able to preview bands before attending shows.

"Myspace has opened up so many doors for us," said Adam Brown, vice president of the IMC. "We are able to promote through electronic invitations and let club members listen to bands we are promoting. Club members are also able to find other students who are musicians. This is a big step for us since we don't have an official club list. Myspace now has given us an idea of who wants to be involved with the IMC."

According to the club's government, they have had trouble distinguishing who is and who isn't a club member. The club has decided that if you come to an IMC event, you are a club member.

"The IMC loves to see people communicate with each other outside of club events," said Brown. "We want members to join forces and start bands. We can't always get bands from out of town to play. We need local acts. Plus, how would we get out to shows if nobody knew who the bands we pulled from out of state were? The locals would fill this responsibility."

So with Myspace, the ultimate promotional tool, the IMC will be able to help members start bands, promote them and plan concerts.

"All because of one Web site, the club has taken off," said Brown.

To read more about the club, visit the USU Club's Page.

The IMC has a wide calendar of events ranging from concerts with bands from around the west, to intimate Open Mic Nights. The IMC will also be having events on the Taggart Student Center patio during the spring months. Check out the calendar on the club Myspace to find out more about its upcoming events.