Middle of the Mitten

Meeting TONIGHT (3/12) at 9pm in 317 Bessey Hall

We’re looking to continue expanding our organization, which means you have a really cool opportunity to become involved, build your resume, and work with a lot of fun people!

We’re going to be handling three major projects between now and September:

1.) Establish Middle of the Mitten Events (MOTME) as an MSU student organization (and look for MSU grant projects)

2.) Earn MOTME’s 501(c)3 nonprofit status (and look for MI/US grant projects)

3.) Plan a live music/community event for Welcome Week

Looking for grants and projects is an easy way to help us have a big impact, and you can be a part of this team from anywhere, even if you’re out of town/state/the country all summer. This could potentially be a summer internship, if you’re looking for something fun, local, and music-related. There are also personal research grants each school year, which means you could be paying yourself to work on a MOTM project!

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Not sure how to get to our killer venues? Look no further, here is your guide to your music road trip:

The Record Lounge
111 Division Street
Downtown East Lansing

Between the State News building on Grand River and the Hamster Cage parking ramp. US-127 take Grand River Ave, I-69 take Saginaw Hwy, I-96 take Okemos Rd

Students can take CATA bus 1, 24, 26, and 34 to get to this location.

(SCENE) Metrospace
110 Charles Street
Downtown East Lansing

Next to Georgio’s Pizza, under the Hamster Cage parking ramp. US-127 take Grand River Ave, I-69 take Saginaw Hwy, I-96 take Okemos Rd

Students can take CATA bus 1, 24, 26, and 34 to get to this location. 

The Loft
414 E. Michigan Avenue
Downtown Lansing

Above Harem Urban Lounge near the state capitol. US-127 take Michigan Ave, I-496 take Grand Ave or Cedar/Larch St

Students can take CATA bus 1 and 41 to get to this location.

If you’ve got a trusty smart phone, plug these directions into your map, and you are on your way. Can’t wait to see you all there!

p.s. Reblog this post by 10pm for a chance to win tickets

Middle of the Mitten is getting close, and we’re talking with the big dogs now! This will be Simien the Whale’s third MOTM festival, after joining us last year and way back at MOTM2. This year they’ll be right in the middle of the pack at MOTM5 Day 2, and they’ll also be chatting with us during the first half of The Basement, which is 8-10pm on 88.9fm The Impact [click here to stream]

Interview by Michelle Perkowski, a fellow tumblrite (tumblrer? tumblrigan?)

1. One look at your website will show that you guys enjoy vlogging and making videos. Do you see that as something personal, or an extension of the band? Do you think it helps you connect to your fans better?

That’s a good question. Touring can be really hard for bands without label support. It is expensive, grueling, and venues want you to draw people you can’t necessarily guarantee. We made our music videos to represent us to cities we haven’t played yet. We knew it would give us a chance to introduce our music to new music fans as well as show another side of our creativity.

We made the ‘Simien the Whale short’ series to help spread the word about our November 2012 Album Release Party and to show people we have a sense of humor. We hoped they would show that we are regular dudes, and not the serious brooding artists that a lot of musicians can be perceived as. It was also a fun way to flex our creative muscles when we didn’t have any shows lined up. We’ll probably make more.

2. You guys have participated in ArtPrize a couple times. What draws you to participate in a competition like that, especially considering music is not the typical medium of choice?

2012 was our second time performing at the ArtPrize Musician’s Showcase, and it was the first year music was actually up for a public voting prize.

Not only is it a way to have our music heard by an international audience, but it’s a way to help reinforce the importance of music in art scenes. Visual art is amazing. I love it. Music is another form of expression, that we think has just as much value as visual art. It’s a performing art!

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Catch Midwest at MOTM5 Day 2

Interview by Andre Iadipaolo, a man; a plan; a canal: panama

1. You guys play a lot of shows around the state and country. Where has been your favorite place to play in the great state of Michigan?

Our two favorite places are the Flint Local 432 (which is home) and the Hamilton Street Pub in Saginaw (which is like home away from home). We’re looking to get out to a whole bunch of new places this year, so keep an eye out for that!

2. How has Midwest been involved in the Livingston Underground revival? Why does having that sense of community so important?

We all attended and played at LU shows in high school when Nate and Ron were just getting it started. Looking back, I feel spoiled for having both the Flint Local and the Livingston Underground going strong when we were in school. For a few years (2007-2011 ish), local music had lost a lot of support and participation in our area. These were sad times. We were happy to see the Livingston Underground progress into Fusion shows. We’re even happier now that they are in a position to really push music at the local, high school level. Without the community and friends we had growing up, Midwest would probably still be playing Pokémon Red on Gameboy Colors in our mom’s basements. We definitely wouldn’t be where we are today.

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