Indie Rock - Spring Showcase

I was probably in college when I first learned the term “muso.”  I understood it to identify someone who was an avid fan of music, in particular unusual, arcane and eclectic acts.  They were seekers of both substance and style, some of which eventually broke into the mainstream. 

It turns out these people would be my friends. We ran into each other at shows and in the import bins at the wrong end of the record shop.

In various generations these were the people who actually bought the Velvet Underground album, who bumped elbows when Black Flag rolled into Mt Pleasant on their way to implosion, or who cultivated a Myspace page of shoegaze favorites they ripped off of Napster.

It’s a scene that is small by design and a community that comes by their cool unnaturally, where it really wouldn’t be out to place to find somebody with tattoos of their favorite library cards on their forearm dancing with a dentist.

In our area there is probably no greater promoter of this musical ethic than Cole Waterman, who has made it a personal mission to bring cool bands to our town.  His connections in the independent music community have helped him bring a variety of “rock and pop” acts to Bay City, varying from edgy to ambient to pure noise.

When you attend as a fan or play one of these showcases, perhaps the most endearing features is that the crowd really likes music.  It’s a different vibe than venues when people are there for other reasons.  It’s palpable and it creates return business out of both pools of people.

If all of this sounds interesting to you: 

This Saturday, April 8, Waterman brings The Spring Showcase 2023 to Bemo’s featuring Multimagic, Bershy and Melodic Canvas.

Multimagic is a band founded by Coran Setter.  The Cincinnati based act describes their music as “socialist dream pop.”  The songs from their latest release are informed by Setter’s recovery from a misdiagnosed manic episode and his reconnection from music in its aftermath.

Also hailing from Cinci is Bershy, who happens to be in love.  Her latest single, “Party” is an example of what she calls “tortured lesbian pop.” It documents the personal transformation that singer / songwriter / producer Brea Shay underwent after meeting her partner at a party.   

Melodic Canvas have roots geographically in Northern Michigan with music that aligns philosophically with the angsty, ambient end of alternative rock.  Drawing on themes of nature, the dark and hidden corners of the mind, the band would be fine if you described their music as deranged or eccentric.

“Doors open” for the show at 8 PM.  Bemo’s is located at 701 S. Madison St, Bay City.