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By Meagan Rockne
However, what does this mean for Logan? Hopefully, it means that some of the independent talent will be making its way north. This would be a sigh of relief for local music enthusiast Sarah Sisson, who finds herself traveling to Salt Lake City often. So there's an interest in independent bands in Cache Valley, but why is not one coming? "One of the biggest problems with the scene is that we don't have a really good venue," said Sisson. She's right. Cache Valley lacks a permanent music venue. There are places that host bands, like Scooter's in Hyrum, the Main Street Theater in Smithfield and the Fun Park in Logan, but bands only perform there occasionally. "I want to have a steady establishment where people know they can come and see a band," said Adam Brown, a local band promoter and the drummer to Logan's own Woodly Bog. Brown has become a steady figure in the Cache Valley music scene promoting local bands like Chucks and Tobin, along with Salt Lake-based Day Two and NIMH, just to name a few. Sisson would also like to see a more permanent venue that could hold a more popular band. "Sometimes the more popular bands find the lack of a permanent venue a hindrance," said Brown. "They don't want to come here and only play for a handful of kids. That's part of the reason for a more permanent fixture." Even with a permanent venue, bands still come to Logan. "Sometimes we get really good bands to come, but it's usually rare," said Sisson. Most recently, independent up-and-comers Limbeck andThe Format performed at the Fun Park. "Some bands are really easy to get to come play; it all depends on the type of schedule. The larger groups are harder because they are on tour," said Brown. The busy schedule of bands doesn't stop both Brown and Sisson of dreaming big about what band could play Logan. "I want Divit to come back and maybe No Motiv," said Sisson. Brown would like to see independent wunderkinds A.F.I come play along with Modest Mouse and possibly even some hip-hop groups. Anything that would bring in a larger group then the emo and hardcore bands that seems to bring in the largest audience in Cache Valley. "Getting the word out to new people and advertising to a new public is a challenge," said Brown. "You see a lot of the same kids at every show." "I want the shows that we do to be promoted better. You usually don't know about a show unless you know someone," said Sisson. "I want more college kids to get into the scene." Colleges and universities have always been a breeding ground for innovative music. Last month Arizona State University hosted Phantom Planet. The University of Utah has rented out its Kingsbury Hall to performers like Tori Amos, Lucinda Williams and recently Jason Mraz. Even Utah Valley State College has gotten on the "band" wagon by hosting Maroon 5 at McKay Events Center on March 9. So why hasn't Utah State University? Actually, USU does host bands. They have hosted the bands Eclipse and Colors, along with others, said Keri Mecham, assistant director of Student Involvement and Leadership. "I went to [a University hosted music event] and I wasn't really into it," said Sisson, an English major at USU. "I realize that I want more college kids coming to the shows, but not necessarily at the college." There has been an interest to bring more nationally recognized bands to Utah State, especially from ASUSU, said Mecham. The problem is that it's expensive and with facilities like the Delta Center, the E Center and the McKay Events Center and UVSC, there is no desire for bands to travel so far away when the big venues are easily accessible. On March 3, the Chaidos Brothers with no children will perform at Scooter's in Hyrum. For a complete event listing for the whole of Utah, visit utahbands.com for more information or for a discussion group of local music visit therocksalt.net.
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