A Wild Wyoming Summer Amidst Pandemic Chaos

Katie Lorenz, 2020-2021 Head of Brand Partnerships

My name is Katie Lorenz, and I’m Head of Brand Partnerships for the 2020-2021 school year. This summer, I spent two months living and working in Jackson Hole, Wyoming - quite a different environment from my hometown just north of Chicago. Luckily, I had already begun planning my summer adventure when COVID-19 hit in March, so I quickly began looking forward to escaping the chaos that ensued around the country.

My time in Jackson was split between spending time hiking and working two jobs - an internship at the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board and a part-time job at my favorite local bakery. I was the only intern for the organization, so I had the unique opportunity to work closely with the Executive Director as my mentor. My main project was to gather data and photos for the annual report while the rest of my work mostly revolved around marketing efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 within Jackson. The massive influx of short-term visitors looking to escape big cities perpetuated fear among locals that the virus would come with them, and in some cases, it did. 

In the middle of July, Teton County’s active cases peaked at a total of 81. In most other cities, this would be a victory, but for a small mountain town, this was a disaster. I listened, learned, and assisted as the marketing committee took actionable steps to clarify visitor expectations before they arrived. Around that time, an article was published in National Geographic to shed light on the events transpiring in the town of Jackson which helped make our case. The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board continues to work towards striking a healthy balance between meeting the expectations of incoming visitors and locals.

This was not my first time in Jackson. I’ve been visiting my grandparents since they moved there part-time in 2002, and I attended ranch camp just outside of Jackson in Dubois, Wyoming for five summers. My camp experience truly changed my perspective and made me appreciate places like Jackson for its natural beauty and the inherent sense of freedom it promotes among its residents and visitors. Due to the extensive time I’ve spent in Jackson, this summer felt like the perfect opportunity for me to give back to the town that had given me so much. 

Throughout the summer I worked with many local businesses which gave me the opportunity to practice my strategy for my position in MUSIC Matters. I often thought about how MUSIC Matters might be most beneficial to the businesses I was working with - a process I will need to complete many times in the year ahead as I strategize partnerships with a variety of local and national brands. This experience prepared me for the year and even gave me a few ideas for potential corporate sponsors!

Many of the local businesses I worked with were those who I’d silently appreciated throughout the past eighteen years, but this was my opportunity to tell the people behind the scenes how deeply grateful I was for their contribution to the community. In fact, the bakery where I worked has been my family’s favorite since they opened in 2011, so I felt very lucky to be part of the crew and give my time back to the bakery I’d admired for so long! During my employment there this summer, I was lucky enough to get to know the owner and her husband very well. We eventually discovered we’d both gone to the same high school and worked our first jobs at restaurants right next to each other in our hometown - what a small world!

Overall, this summer was a restart button for me. A time to step back from the chaos of regular life and re-ground myself. Spending time in the mountains gives me the same feeling as listening to a good song. It fills my soul with an indescribable feeling, getting rid of any stress or negative emotions. In an effort to bring that feeling into the rest of my life, I know that remaining exposed to all things music through my work with MUSIC Matters will be a key player to supply that necessary energy for me this year, and I look forward to every minute of it!

Interning at a Festival During a Pandemic

Lucy Freeman, 2020-2021 Co-President

My name is Lucy Freeman and I’m the co-president of MUSIC Matters for the 2020-2021 year. Over the past four-and-a-half months I’ve had the pleasure of interning at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, an event with a 36-year history of uniting the community around the arts. As the Operations Intern, my job description included organizing contracts and W-9s, creating and maintaining production schedules, communicating with festival vendors, and preparing plans to have a smooth running 21-day festival. That all changed, though, as the COVID-19 pandemic surged and A2SF pivoted their entire season. 

The day I was interviewed for my position, the University of Michigan cancelled classes for the rest of the semester. A week later, I was hired with the idea that we would be remote for at least the first 2-3 weeks as things shut down around the state, so I went home to west Michigan and began to build my schedule of Zoom calls and google docs. Of course, we had no idea how long these measures would be in place at the time, and soon we were redesigning our entire programming, cancelling the traditional in-person activities, and adding virtual versions or entirely new programs to the calendar. 

Though the challenges the pandemic brought to the festival’s programming were definitely not ideal, the interns were given amazing opportunities to pitch their ideas and work with more autonomy. My projects shifted into researching pandemic responses by organizations across the country, creating production needs lists and calendars for each of our 6+ programming initiatives, and creating geo-tagged audio-based experiences, one being a series showcasing artists that would have performed at the festival, and another a story that unfolds across locations in Ann Arbor. 

Despite my internship experience being slightly different than what I originally anticipated, I was able to see firsthand how arts organizations can navigate change while staying true to their mission. I think my experience in MUSIC Matters helped me to learn flexibility and collaboration, which were invaluable during my internship, and I’m excited to bring what I learned at A2SF back to our organization. 

MM for the Detroit Justice Center: Virtual Concert Recap

With growing awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement in America as well as our organization’s commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community, MUSIC Matters has a responsibility to use our voices to support the fight to end racial violence against Black people in America. We decided to take action in the way we do best—using music as a catalyst for social change.

Last Thursday we partnered with the Black Leaders in Art Collective at the University of Michigan to hold a virtual benefit concert. All proceeds will be going to the Detroit Justice Center, a non-profit law firm that works alongside communities to create economic opportunities, transform the justice system, and promote equitable and just cities. In the week leading up to the event, we spearheaded a fundraising campaign which raised thousands of dollars in support of the DJC.  Using a shared love of music, we were able to highlight an important cause and  come together with our community at the University of Michigan and beyond. 

The success of our event is also due to our partner, BLAC. We are grateful to have worked on this event with the Black Leaders in Art Collective (BLAC), an organization founded by Black SMTD students to generate a safe space where Black and Brown students are able to uplift and empower each other through art. The president of BLAC joined us during our live stream to share the importance of coming together to engage with and celebrate Black art. MUSIC Matters has put together a Spotify playlist called “MM for BLM” that features songs by Black musicians that share important messages applicable to the continuing fight to end racial injustice in America.

Our first performer was Oren Levin, an indie folk-rock singer/songwriter. He kicked off our concert with his guitar and vocals, performing a Bon Iver cover as well as beautiful original music.

Next, Simone Clotile, a songwriter from Detroit and rising sophomore at the University of Michigan sang for us. She performed an original song, “Say Their Names,” which she wrote a few days after the murder of George Floyd. It was a powerful, heartfelt tribute to victims of racial violence in America.

Weekend Hours, an indie band based in Ann Arbor and Boston, performed some of their original music including a new song, “Say What We Want to Say,” complete with fantastic guitar, keyboard, and vocals.

Alan Williams recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in vocal performance. He played guitar and sang for us, including an impressive cover of “The First Thing You See” by Bruno Major.

Next, we watched and listened to Krit Kosoltrakul. Krit beautifully played the piano with songs that showcased amazing talent.

No Fun Haus was next in our lineup, playing the keyboard and singing for us before picking up his guitar for a fantastic cover of “Corduroy Dreams” by Rex Orange County.

Next, Joe Thomas, a Jazz and Sound Engineering double major at the University of Michigan, impressively improvised with his trombone. He also performed a powerful cover of “Visions” by Stevie Wonder.

Our benefit concert finished off with Peter from The Kelseys, an indie pop-rock band from Ann Arbor. They  performed a cover of “Two Ghosts” by Harry Styles as well as some amazing original music (even an unreleased track)!

We would like to thank all of the amazing performers that shared their talents with us last Thursday, as well as everyone that attended the concert and donated to such an important cause. If you weren’t able to attend (or want to re-watch the incredible performances) check out our IG TV! Please continue to support Black artists, raise awareness, and take action to further the fight for racial equality.

Dancing in Detroit: Amanda & Adam at the ALMA/Tove Lo concert

Amanda Gross, 2019-2020 President

When I first arrived at the University of Michigan, I was stunned by the amount of people that could walk around on the Diag, State Street, or the stairs of Mason Hall and bump into someone they knew. My new school felt larger than life, and I couldn’t believe it was possible to run into a friend when everyone on campus felt so much like a stranger. Like most students at Michigan, I had been very involved in extracurricular activities in high school and was used to being part of a team or a cohort. So, the little type-A voice inside my head whispered, “Get involved! Get involved!” and dragged me over to Festifall, the largest on-campus recruitment event for student organizations, on a Friday afternoon in September.

Long story short, I found myself at a Mass Meeting for the student-run non-profit MUSIC Matters, and my freshman brain almost exploded. In high school, club meetings consisted of 20 kids in a classroom eating lunch together. The MUSIC Matters meeting consisted of almost 100 students in a lecture room, with the shockingly impressive seniors delivering a near-professional presentation. The organization consisted of multiple committees, subcommittees, fundraising strategies, social impact projects, and music events that cater to thousands of people. I decided I needed to get involved and join the Marketing committee.

I showed up to my first committee meeting with a touch of anxiety in my chest. I didn’t know a soul in the club, and I was afraid to give off the wrong impression. For a while I just kept to myself, listening and watching. I noticed how smart the other members were, how creative and thoughtful they could be. Slowly I started sitting next to people with whom I got along, and laughing with people I started to recognize. It was in my weekly Marketing meetings that I ended up meeting some of my best friends on campus.

MUSIC Matters ends every year with SpringFest, a lifestyle music festival that unites our community and celebrates the student body. The Marketing committee took turns studying other festivals to see what we could learn to improve and better market SpringFest. One day, a boy with an unprecedented amount of enthusiasm presented on the Sweetlife festival that takes place in Columbia, Maryland. I was shocked that he knew about this niche festival that I had attended the year before, and we discovered that we grew up a mere 15 minutes away from each other in Montgomery County, Maryland. In a fantastic twist of fate, I came all the way to Michigan to meet one of my new favorite people. Adam and I built a friendship in our weekly meetings, as I quickly learned there’s nothing more entertaining than hearing him go off on a tangent about Nicki Minaj’s lackluster publicity tour, and he soon discovered I was a Top 40 junkie who wanted nothing more to discuss the new Ariana Grande music video. At the end of the year, Adam and I both earned spots on the Marketing Leadership team, and our friendship was cemented. 

Over the last three years, Adam has become one of my best friends through our collective love of both music and MUSIC Matters. We spent nights together dancing in Ann Arbor, and we even ended up living in a London flat together during our semester abroad last year. MM believes that music, especially live music, has the power to bring people together, and Adam and I have ended up sharing so many memories together through this belief. From watching Marshmello in Detroit to Diplo in London, we’ve been able to expand both our musical and personal horizons through our shared musical experiences. As our final SpingFest was approaching, we were itching to take in as many more of these experiences as we could while we were together in Michigan. 

In February, we decided to drive out to Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit to check out an emerging artist named ALMA open for Tove Lo. Before our experience in MM, neither of us would've known much about up-and-coming artists. Thanks to the amazing people we’ve met in this club, we know there’s nothing better than seeing a rising artist perform right before they make it big. ALMA kicked off her 30-minute, high-tempo set surrounded by red and blue strobe lights that made visible little more than her silhouette. Her hair was green, and her aura mysterious. We were immediately impressed with her stage presence, as she worked hard to engage the diverse audience. Her setlist showed off her artistic range, with alternative pop tracks ranging from 2016’s “Karma” to her unreleased ode to the misfits with the infectious hook, “I’m a loser, baby I’m a loser… and that’s what I wanna be.”

The stripped down set allowed her raspy vocals to shine. The crowd’s energy level continued to increase as the set progressed, up until the last song which had everyone jumping and singing the hook repeatedly in acapella. She received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of her set, despite having stated earlier that she gets “so awkward when people are screaming.” ALMA’s star quality was further proved as she joined headliner Tove Lo for their collaborations “Bad as the Boys” and “bitches.” She appeared comfortable and cool next to the seasoned performer, and the singers' voices melded together perfectly. We couldn’t help but dance as she performed, and we immediately downloaded her songs when she left the stage. 

Adam and I left Saint Andrew’s Hall singing and grinning. There’s nothing better than dancing to music that makes you feel something, and ALMA truly blew us away. We ran in the Detroit cold back to our car, proud of our successful night and ready to head home. As we were patting ourselves on the back for a night well done, we discovered that the car battery had died. We sat in a black Honda Pilot that wouldn’t start and couldn’t stop laughing. As we called AAA and our friends to tell them about our mishap, I couldn’t help but grin about this new adventure that I knew we’d always remember. We sat talking in the car for an hour while we waited for the repair man, talking about life and music.

In the words of ALMA, “good stuff takes time, right?” I went home that night feeling full of life, humming the new songs I had learned. I fell asleep thinking about how thankful I am for MUSIC Matters. MUSIC Matters has changed my life in so many ways, bringing me experiences, music, and friends that I will never forget. 

The shows that go on(line)

Usually, around this time of year we come together to announce the SpringFest artist and get ready for an amazing festival. We would be less than three weeks out from our favorite day of the year. Sadly, due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, it is with a heavy heart that we announce SpringFest 2020 will not be taking place. 

While we are disappointed that we won’t be able to put on our annual festival, the priority of MUSIC Matters is the safety and health of the Ann Arbor community. Our leadership team is determined to take the hard work everyone has put into this year and fuel it into an incredible SpringFest 2021. Until then, we are at home, taking care of each other, listening to music, and dreaming of springtime in Ann Arbor.

We may not physically be together to appreciate the unifying power of music, but we can still find ways to stay sane, connect with each other, and spread positivity through music. Below are some ways we can still enjoy concerts and good tunes from the comfort of our homes. 

Sometimes the best concerts come from a Tiny Desk 

NPR has been cultivating intimate performances by hosting an ongoing live music series: Tiny Desk Concerts. Artists and bands get to perform their hit songs in an intimate, stripped down office setting. No artist is too big or small to perform these shows, so there is a unique catalog of concerts. Check out popular artists like Chance the Rapper, Mac Miller, and Harry Styles, or explore others and find your new favorite artist. 

Host a Zoom Karaoke Night or Virtual Choir

Video messaging platforms like Zoom have been a means for continuing class lectures, but they can also be used as a way for you and your friends to sing along together. Self-isolation has not stopped choirs and orchestras across the country from gathering to perform songs together, and we can follow suit. Get your friends together, sing some songs, and pretend like it’s a Tuesday night at Good Time Charley’s. 

Watch artists make the most of staying home by performing music in their rooms. 

Rolling Stone is starting an “In My Room” video series of artists recording mini concerts in their homes. 3 “concerts” are posted a week, and so far artists like Elton John, Graham Nash, and Yola have put on shows to digital audiences. Follow Rolling Stone on Instagram and enjoy artists try to navigate life at home just like the rest of us. 

Find and make new playlists  

We all have certain songs that immediately transport us back to a vivid memory or remind us of a specific person. Spend the day curating a playlist of nostalgic classics for yourself or vibey tunes for your friends. Or, take time to listen to playlists that are Made For You on Spotify and discover new jams. There are millions of songs at your fingertips; use this time to find and share your favorites. 

While we adjust to a new way of living from home, feeling lost, anxious, and upset are all normal, and valid, feelings. It’s important to understand that social distancing is only physical; we can still connect with one another and share positivity in other ways. The world will fall back in order eventually, and it will make going to concerts, sharing headphones, and karaoking with friends a little more special. For now, MUSIC Matters sends out a virtual hug to the Ann Arbor community, and we cannot wait to dance and sing together when we are all back on campus.

MUSIC Matters awards CoMMunity Partnership grants to Impact Arts and SAAN

As students step on campus, they all strive to make a difference, form a meaningful connection, and find like-minded individuals. Devoted Wolverines join together and constantly pour themselves into organizations and various issues they are passionate about. Some organizations are up-and-coming; they realize there’s a deficiency of something they care about and start a foundation for something powerful. Others are already established, but they strive for further involvement, larger growth, and a greater impact. 

As an organization moving into its ninth year on campus, MUSIC Matters aspires to help both new and existing clubs. We do this using our CoMMunity Partnership Social Venture which utilizes thoughtful collaboration and a financial grant to help another student org reach their goals. This year, MUSIC Matters has selected two art-based organizations to join forces with: Impact Arts and South Asian Awareness Network (SAAN). 

“We are really excited to work with two organizations whose missions align so closely with ours,” explained Head of Social Ventures Lucie Rosenthal. “We have never partnered with art-based organizations before so we are looking forward to discovering all of the opportunities that arise from that.” 

Each year, the CoMMunity Partnership provides support to an organization or two on campus, and this year both Impact Arts and SAAN are devoted towards using music and the arts to promote social justice and the importance of diversity. 

Impact Arts is a new organization to the University of Michigan community, and they aim to use theatrical storytelling to engage with relevant societal ideas and issues. For their inaugural season, Impact Arts plans to focus on the Immigrant Experience and shine a light on the importance of diversity in our country. “Impact Arts is grateful and excited to be kicking off its inaugural season in partnership with MUSIC Matters,” expressed founder Christian Kassab. As a sophomore in the Ross School of Business, Christian hopes the club will showcase the ability arts has “to challenge our beliefs, showcase diverse communities, and create an impact on our campus and beyond.” 

The other organization that MUSIC Matters is partnering with is SAAN; a group of students devoted to creating spaces that engage and educate students on social justice issues through the South Asian lens. SAAN accomplishes this mission by hosting events that stimulate dialogue and enrich experiences. Most notably, SAAN organizes an annual South Asian student conference that provides attendees the opportunity to listen to quality speakers and collaborate with other students. MUSIC Matters’ partnership with SAAN will encourage a platform for showcasing diversity through a multicultural blend of music.  

Last year, MUSIC Matter had a successful collaboration with both Heal-Move-Shift and Michigan Movement, and we cannot wait to add our two new organizations which align so closely with our mission to our partnership roster. As we dive into the year, we look forward to uncovering the opportunities that can arise from our joint efforts with Impact Arts and SAAN. MUSIC Matters has been quintessential in promoting social change through MUSIC, and we aspire to serve as a catalyst and platform for other organizations to showcase their passions.

MUSIC Matters brings Local and International Artists To Ann Arbor

MUSIC Matters was founded with one main principle in mind: unite the campus through live music performances. Nine years later, MM still strives to be a platform for both local artists and national acts to share their music with the University of Michigan community. Our Talent and Concert committee has been working diligently at bringing performers of all kinds to Ann Arbor and just this month MM hosted a live music event at Good Time Charley’s and the pop duo Icona Pop at Necto Nightclub.

On September 19th, MM brought together four local acts for “Party on the Patio” at Charley’s. The good-weathered September night allowed members of the Ann Arbor community to relax on the Charley’s patio and enjoy musical performances from Winnie, Ryan Werner, No Fun Haus, and MEBO & Miri Elle. All of the acts were either current or former University of Michigan students, and each showed their individuality in their set.

Winnie was the first artist to take the stage and treated the audience to original songs as she sang and played the guitar. During one song, she confessed that she was still in the midst of writing and was going to read the lyrics off her phone. Her vulnerability and pure talent shone through and she set the night right on track. 

Up next was another former U of M student, Ryan Werner. Ryan serenaded the crowd with a variety of covers whilst playing the guitar. Ryan has performed in multiple Ann Arbor locations, including the popular artist venue The Blind Pig. 

Our first band of the night was popular Ann Arbor group No Fun Haus. The Michigan native band consists of four U of M seniors who have been performing throughout Ann Arbor and playing frequent local shows. They plan on releasing their full LP in January 2020, and MUSIC Matters cannot wait to support them in their new release. 

Capping off the night of performances was MM’s very own Miri Elle who joined forces with MEBO for an incredibly soulful set. The duo are a part of OSSI Music, an Ann Arbor based music collective that aims to provide soundtracks filled with creativity  and meaning to its listeners. Just last week, Miri Elle released her debut EP ‘April’ and MUSIC Matters is proud to support her in her musical endeavors, as well as her work as a member of our organization. 

In addition to organizing an event for students, MUSIC Matters also kicked off the year by bringing a national act to Ann Arbor. From having their 2012 hit single “I Love It” on the Hot 100 Billboard chart for 29 weeks straight, to opening for artists like One Direction and Katy Perry, Icona Pop brought powerful, vibrant energy to Ann Arbor when they performed at Necto Nightclub on October 3rd. With the help of Ignyte Events and Necto, MUSIC Matters brought the Swedish electro-pop duo to campus for a night of lights, music, and dancing. The show started off strong with opening acts from DigiMark, Selina Style, and Disc Jockey George, and capped off the event with a  Icona Pop DJ set. The duo takes pride in their ability to create a disco-pop environment for their fans, and they were able to successfully pull off an amazing show. The night ended with confetti flying through the air as the club sang along to Icona Pop’s greatest hits. 

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings and what talent from the community MUSIC Matters is able to bolster and support. As long as artists share their music, MM will always be working to create a platform for their expression. Whether it’s nationally recognized artists or up and coming passionate student-performers, MUSIC Matters gives a platform to share music and create memories. 

A Look Into the Upcoming Year

At the start of each school year, the U of M campus is packed with students seeking to find a community that suits their personal interests and professional endeavors. It can be overwhelming; students nudge through tremendous crowds at club fairs for an attempt at finding a booth that might pique their interest. Pillars are plastered with vibrant flyers advertising each club, and students are trying to find that one, special organization that they believe they can develop a passion for. MUSIC Matters is one of the many clubs seeking out those on campus that are searching for an organization that aligns with their interests. And each year we welcome ambitious students with a passion for service and an underlying love of music.

The leadership team has been working diligently to ensure the club’s mission and values are vocalized widely to both new and returning members throughout our recruitment process. As MUSIC Matters moves into its eighth year as an organization, the club is being led by co-presidents Noah Dobbertin and Amanda Gross, two seniors dedicated to helping MM reach its full potential. In order to do that, MUSIC Matters is focusing on mission alignment; we want to ensure that all of our ventures promote the organization’s goal of using music to create educational opportunities while celebrating the vibrant Michigan community. 

As prospective members filed into the mass meetings, we were able to reflect and proudly share all the success MUSIC Matters has had. Just last year, we hosted shows at Necto, worked with two CoMMunity partners on campus, held several local talent showcases, hosted a fashion show in the UMMA, put on another successful MOvE camp, and capped off the year with another prosperous SpringFest. While we are incredibly proud of all our triumphs from last year, we are even more excited to watch the club grow and see our upcoming events and initiatives come to fruition. We plan to continue encouraging the entire Ann Arbor community to join us and contribute to our success. 

To expand the reach of MM on campus and encourage more to join, our new Chief of Staff, Adam Seltzer, has been passionately working to incorporate DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, into our recruitment process. MUSIC Matters takes pride in our ability and commitment to unite the U of M and Ann Arbor community, and emphasizing DEI in our recruitment process furthers our devotion to creating an atmosphere that embraces members from all backgrounds.  The University of Michigan highlights that DEI is a three pronged process, explaining that “Diversity is where everyone is invited to the party, equity means that everyone gets to contribute to the playlist, and inclusion means that everyone has the opportunity to dance,” and MUSIC Matters cannot wait for another year of giving the community a welcoming festival for all to dance at. 

While mass meetings wrap up and applications roll in, MM could not be more excited to begin the new school year with a group of students who are passionate about music and making a difference. Already, we have locked in a local talent night at Charley’s on September 19th as well as different Necto shows like Icona Pop on October 3rd and Lost Kings on December 5th with tickets available to purchase now. We cannot wait to see all the astonishing ideas our new members will contribute to the club, and we look forward to another amazing year of growing as a club and community within. 

MOvE: The Evolution of Strangers to Friends

Courtney Fortin, Head of Public Relations

How do you turn 30 high schoolers and 12 college students into a group of friends in less than 48 hours? Pure, wholesome fun.

Last month, MUSIC Matters hosted its third annual Michigan Overnight Experience camp for students from Henry Ford Academy, and I was lucky enough to be a counselor for the weekend. As a member of the marketing committee, I only had a general understanding of the various social ventures MUSIC Matters has spearheaded like our student to student scholarship and community partnerships. I knew that the premise of MOvE was to emphasize the importance and accessibility of college for underprivileged high school students, and I knew that I wanted to be involved in helping to inspire them. What I didn’t know, however, was that the kids would end up equally inspiring me and all the other counselors just as much. Come Sunday evening, I was leaving MOJO with a sense of optimism and cheer after spending the weekend with some of the most ambitious, joyful kids I had ever met.

When I arrived, I had no idea what I was getting myself into it, and I was skeptical that the kids would take the weekend seriously. If high school Courtney came to Ann Arbor and spent the weekend on campus, she definitely would not have experienced even an ounce of the maturity these kids expressed; I was blown away by the bravery, confidence, and optimism from freshmen in high school. These kids courageously confessed their fears and hopes for after high school in group bonding sessions and genuinely engaged in meaningful conversations.

From Friday to Sunday, students from HFA were exposed to the U of M campus and culture while learning about themselves and discovering what their future ambitions may be. From icebreaker games that asked campers if they kept their horses in the back, exploring Ann Arbor’s graffiti alley on the night walk, or kicking a field goal on the Big House field, the entire weekend was packed with activities that ultimately helped grow friendships between the counselors and campers. It’s easy to put into words our scheduled itinerary for each day, but it’s hard to convey the conversations, laughs, and feelings that exuded from each group throughout the weekend.

Though it’s hard to fully communicate the meaningful memories MOvE provided me, the moments which really stuck out were when the campers opened up about their passions and hobbies. One girl told me that her five older siblings all dropped out of high school, and she was the last hope of going to college in her family. This same camper explained that in her free time she likes to read scholastic journals on the hole in the ozone layer and she hopes to one day conduct her own experiments. Another camper professed his love for music and explained that his dream is to be a performer one day; some of the other counselors were even lucky enough to hear a snippet of his raps. (Remember us when you’re famous, Mike!)

Ultimately yes, MOvE is about teaching young high schoolers the importance of goal-setting and being ambitious, but it’s also about getting to know people you would have never crossed paths with and growing from one another. I thought that I would be the one encouraging the students to set values for themselves and strive to achieve great things, but the truth is they did that for me. I talked to a future brain surgeon, forensic chemist, and herpetologist (the study of reptiles, and yes she had to teach me what that meant), and they had a glimmer in their eyes I wish every high schooler had. They helped me understand that ambition and compassion are not constricted by socio-economic levels, and we can all learn a little something from each other. These freshmen in high school are blunt, honest, realistic, and find joy in simple things; they are everything I strive to be. These kids instilled hope in me I didn’t know I needed. They are the future, and I feel safe with the world being in their hands soon.

MOvE overall showed me that MUSIC Matters really does care about people and takes its goals as an organization seriously. As the campers were leaving, several came up to me and said they were excited to come back next year. I think it’s safe to say I am too.

RECAP: SpringFest 2019

On April 16th, MUSIC Matters held our 7th annual social impact lifestyle festival, SpringFest. The daytime portion of the event was held from 11am-4pm between South State Street and North U and access was free and open to the general public. The area was packed with interactive art installations, an assortment of food trucks, student-run campus organizations, artisans, start-up companies, and pop-up shops. Throughout the day, the area was host to various dance performances and musical performances, including by MUSIC Madness competition participants OSSI Music, Sabbatical Bob, and Wes on the day stage. The daytime festival was a huge success, and we were happy to see and serve students from across all corners of campus.

Another favorite aspect of SpringFest 2019 was the amazing arts activities that were offered throughout the day! Live in Color, a social impact organization at the university that aims to enhance the atmosphere in campus buildings and hallways through color and design, collaborated with MUSIC Matters to build a large interactive mural that festival-goers were able to paint and contribute to. We captured time-lapse footage of the mural progress throughout the day as well, so keep an eye out for that exciting video that will be posted our social media!

Our Community Partners were a large focus of the SpringFest daytime festival, and we are thankful to have had the opportunity to share the projects that they have been working on this year. Heal-Move-Shift held a “treat-yo-self” station, complete with self-care activities and goodie bags in preparation for the impending school finals season, and we are excited to involve them in SpringFest again next year! Michigan Movement, our other Community Partner this year, was also a large contributor to the success of the day; they held a guessing game to teach festival-goers what goes into their typical care packages for the homeless, what does not, and why. In addition, they showcased artwork by a student on campus that highlighted the experiences of the homeless population and the impact that Michigan Movement has had on the population since their founding.

SpringFest was capped off with our nighttime benefit concert, which was held in Hill Auditorium starting at 7pm. The night was kicked off with Jeff Basta, who was followed by by our very own treasurer, who goes by the stage name Namix. MUSIC Madness competition first place winner Tracy Money and rapper B Free were our next two performers, and were followed by our concert headliner, A$AP Ferg. We were proud to showcase A$AP Ferg, the event was a huge success, and we cannot wait for SpringFest 2020!

MUSIC Madness 2019 Recap

- Danny Ivanov, Head of Local Talent

This past month, MUSIC Matters hosted its third annual MUSIC Madness tournament! Yet again, we were lucky enough to host a diverse group of incredibly talented musicians representing many different styles of music. Our competitors included the Adam Kahana Group, ALT. Facts, Coach Arthur, C-Note, Johnny IV, Jungwoo Chang, OSSI Music, p r o o f, Sabbatical Bob, Tracy Money, and Wes.

We are incredibly grateful for our outstanding panel of judges featuring representatives from fellow student orgs including Big Ticket Productions, Hip-Hop Congress, Maize Collective, and Stamp Nation, who helped decide, of the following six finalists, who will be performing at SpringFest.

OSSI Music

OSSI is a collective of artists, producers, and performers that was born at the University of Michigan in 2016, and is based here in Ann Arbor. Their influences stem from a wide range of genres, including soul, R&B, electronic, indie, and funk, allowing for a unique hybrid sound that is truly their own. Be sure to check out their incredible projects OSSI: Volume 1 and OSSI: Volume 2!

Wes

Wes is an artist and producer born in Los Angeles, raised in Portland, Oregon, and currently based at the University of Michigan. A dynamic musician, his performances are equal parts meditative and exciting. He’s been releasing a range of new singles available now on all streaming services.

Adam Kahana Group

Led by singer and guitarist Adam Kahana and featuring Jacob Warren on bass and Grant Flick on mandolin, this group provides a stellar combination of blues, folk, and jazz. Be sure to follow Adam’s social media for upcoming performances, and check out his debut recordings here.

Coach Arthur:

Coach Arthur is an alternative rock band based at the University of Michigan. With their undeniable chemistry and virtuosic talent, they’re surely an act to watch out for. Be sure to follow them on Instagram for updates and new content!

Tracy Money

Tracy Money is a hip-hop group that has made quite a name for themselves across the University of Michigan campus. Featuring $cottie Pimpin’, Tracy D, and Fatz, the Tracys are well-known for their dynamic style and consistently high-energy performances. Their music is available for streaming here!

Sabbatical Bob

Sabbatical Bob is committed to returning the funk to the people. These party entertainment specialists have declared an emergency state of funk, and have promised that here-now, and forevermore, things WILL be funky.

Congrats to OSSI Music, Sabbatical Bob, and Wes for being chosen to perform on the SpringFest day stage, and to Tracy Money, who will be opening for A$AP Ferg on April 16th!

SF Preview: Food

SpringFest is not only a celebration of the U of M community but also a celebration of food! As always, we will be bringing a variety of local flavors to Springfest 2019. Whether you are craving some authentic Mexican tacos, a chicken shawarma sandwich, or are simply looking to grab a cup of coffee, SpringFest is the place for you! We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the following food trucks and carts at this year’s festival, and encourage you to check them out:

Bearclaw Coffee Company:

The Bearclaw Coffee Company was founded in Chelsea, Michigan, and has been at the forefront of mobile coffee and event catering services for over a decade. Their mission is simple: “to make customers feel like family and serve the highest quality coffee.” While they began with the creation of their Mobile Coffee Fleet, they now proudly serve the Bearclaw Signature Blend at five locations. Bearclaw only uses 100% compostable World Centric cups, lids, and sleeves, and for every cup purchased, and World Centric donates 25% of their profits to grassroots social and environmental organizations.

Shimmy Shack:

Shimmy Shack is Michigan’s first and only 100% vegan and gluten-free food truck. Their goal is to reduce animal suffering, promote healthier food choices, and have a positive impact on the environment. They aim to remove the stigma attached to the word ‘vegan’ and showcase just how tasty and filling vegan food can be. Majority owner (and operator) Debra Levantrosser describes a Shimmy Shack as “a healthier fast food option” that serves all of the familiar favorites: burgers, fries, shakes, chili, nachos, and cookies.

Detroit Dough:

Detroit Dough is a food cart company that was founded in the summer of 2017 by Detroit residents Autumn Kyles, Victoria Washington, and Daniel A. Washington. While they have not opened up a permanent store yet, they have been working with local companies to expand their product nationwide through events such as SpringFest! Detroit Dough’s signature menu item is their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and they will be bringing all of their wonderful, safe-to-eat cookie dough to SpringFest this month.

Truckshuka:

Truckshuka was established in January of 2017 by Benji Benoliel, who had recently come to Detroit from Jerusalem. He serves authentic Israeli street food, offering customers the opportunity to try food not typically seen within the food truck scene. His authentic Jerusalem street favorite eats are influenced by Michigan flavors, and all of the dishes are made from scratch. As the company grows, Benji aims to make a positive impact in multiple communities and to continue making healthy, tasty, authentic food at a fair price.

Regina’s Food Truck:

Regina’s Food Truck is one of the premier afternoon meal locations of southeast Michigan. The truck embodies the flavors and traditions of authentic Mexican cuisine and offers food rich in both flavor and culture. The truck is run by Regina herself, who, at the age of seven, moved to Troy, Michigan from Mexico. She wanted to bring her passion for Mexican food and culture to the United States, and thus, Regina’s Food Truck was born. Regina’s offers steak, chicken and vegetarian options, and proudly serves “something for everyone!”

Detroit BBQ Company:

Detroit BBQ Company began with a few men selling ribs and chicken at the Grosse Pointe Park farmers market in 2009, and business quickly took off after their participation in the inaugural “Pig and Whiskey” festival, hosted by the Detroit Metro Times. In 2014, they purchased a BBQ trailer, complete with a 500lb capacity smoker, and the rest is history. Their mission is to “provide the highest quality smoked meats at a fair price and with excellent customer service.” They aim to sell out each and every day, and SpringFest on April 16th will be no exception!

Toaster Truck Detroit:

Toaster Truck Detroit is the newest mobile food truck serving gourmet, open-faced sandwiches in the Metro Detroit area. Their health-focused menu features breakfast and lunch foods, such as their signature open-faced sandwiches, as well as some sweet selections like their peanut butter and banana toast. Toaster Truck also provides customers the opportunity to build their own toast, and proudly serves freshly brewed Great Lakes Coffee cold brew and nitro cold brew!

For SpringFest 2019, you can get special discounts when you use Apple Pay Cash on select menu items at the food trucks. There will also be push carts at the festival giving away a limited number of metal water bottles when you text money to a friend with Apple Pay!

Seven exciting food trucks and a dessert cart will be featured at SpringFest 2019 with discounted food items available for purchase when you use Apple Pay Cash. Attendees without Apple Pay Cash may still purchase food from our trucks at the regular menu prices.

SF Preview: Student Organizations

Each year at SpringFest, organizations across campus gather to showcase all of the hard work that they have been doing and the projects they have been working on. Festival-goers are able to meet representatives from these organizations and are encouraged to participate in activations during SpringFest related to the organizations’ values and missions. This year, we are excited to be showcasing over 100 projects and student organizations, including:

SAPAC:

Who They Are:

SAPAC is the Sexual Assault and Prevention Awareness Center at the University of Michigan. The organization “teaches non-violence and equality, supports survivor healing, and fosters a respectful and safe environment for all members of the University of Michigan community.” They provide services for those who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, and stalking, and aim to empower the students, faculty, and staff at the university. They serve all backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, and gender and social identities.

SpringFest Activation:

At SpringFest, they will be sharing information about their organization and mission, involving festival-goers in a live-action bystander activity, and handing out zines of poetry, artwork, and stories.

DMUM:

Who They Are:

DMUM is the Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan (DMUM). It is a student-run, non-profit organization, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric rehabilitation programs at the C.S. Mott and Beaumont Children's Hospitals. Each year, the organization holds VictorThon, an event where each member stands for 24 hours straight to raise money and show support for the children that are involved in these rehabilitation programs. DMUM was founded in 1997 and, since then, has raised over $5,500,000!

SpringFest Activation:

At SpringFest, they will be sharing information about their organization and inspiring others to join in their incredible efforts through an engaging dance activity.

He for She:

Who They Are:

He for She, founded in 2014 by the UN, is a global solidarity campaign for the advancement of gender equality. The U of M chapter of HeForShe has been raising awareness of these gender inequalities and advocating for change in the community since 2016. HeForShe believes that gender and sexuality are spectrums, not binaries, and often works directly with United Nations Women to further their mission.

SpringFest Activation:

At SpringFest, they will be sharing information about gender inequalities within the music industry and have an interactive art display.

Mcity:

Who They Are:

Mcity is a 32-acre mock city located on the University of Michigan North Campus, built for the testing of wirelessly connected and driverless cars. The goal of the testing is to “bring together industry, government, and academia to advance transportation safety, sustainability, and accessibility for the benefit of society.” The research done at Mcity draws from the knowledge and expertise of U of M faculty and researchers within fields such as engineering, public policy, law, business, social sciences and urban planning.

SpringFest Activation:

SpringFest will feature one of Mcity’s innovative driverless vehicles.

EnspiRED:

Who They Are:

EnspiRED, founded in 2006, is a student organization at the University of Michigan that aims to highlight the arts and artists on campus. They “serve as an advocate of the arts through several outlets including but not limited to singing, dancing, painting and so much more.” While they host a variety of events throughout the year, the largest is their annual charity fashion show, RAW, where they showcase pieces from local designers.

Involvement:

They will be participating in MUSIC Matters’s annual fashion show on April 13th.

Consider Magazine:

Who They Are:

Consider Magazine is a point/counter-point publication that aims to provide an open forum for discussion of significant issues facing those at the University of Michigan and beyond. Consider also runs a website that features electronic versions of issues and blog posts on various topics.  They “aim to create discussion on campus that is avoided in this technology generation.” They offer the opportunity for others to form their own opinions, as opposed to “preaching.”

SpringFest Activation:

They will have a SpringFest edition of their magazine, entitled: What Moves You?

Friends for St. Jude:

Who They Are:

Friends for St. Jude supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as they improve means of prevention and cures for pediatric cancer. Because St. Jude Children's Research Hospital receives around 80% of its funds from donors, Friends for St. Jude’s efforts are incredibly impactful to the hospital and its efforts to advance cancer treatments and find new and innovative cures. The organization hosts an Annual Collegiate Gala, as well as other fundraisers, to help pay for patients' treatments and advance research.

SpringFest Activation:

At SpringFest, Friends for St. Jude will provide festival-goers the opportunity to send something handmade to the children at St. Jude’s Hospital.

Wolverine Support Network:

Who They Are:

The Wolverine Support Network is an organization dedicated to empowering University of Michigan students to “create an inclusive community and support each other’s identity, mental well-being, and day-to-day lives through peer-facilitated groups and bi-weekly community events.” Each year, they host an event called “MI-SPIN” that promotes the benefits of exercise on mental health. Students are encouraged to create teams and cycle for 6 hours to raise money for the Wolverine Support Network so that they can continue to create a positive impact on the community.

SpringFest Activation:

At SpringFest, they will be hosting a WSN Wellness Zone, having KIND Bar giveaways to spread positive messages about mental health, featuring an interactive art display, holding guided meditation sessions, and much more!

We cannot wait to showcase the many organizations and projects that our campus holds, and are incredibly proud to be working alongside these organizations to create an incredible day with a variety of learning and involvement opportunities!

A Look Back on SpringFest '18

- Courtney Fortin, Marketing

While working hard to plan this year’s highly anticipated SpringFest, MUSIC Matters members have been reminiscing on last year’s successful festival. Last April, University of Michigan students and the surrounding Ann Arbor community joined together for a fun-filled day, complete with art installations, a fashion show, food trucks, performances by local artists, and so much more. Over 60 student organizations united on the Diag and N. University Ave. to highlight the diverse passions and interests within the Michigan community. Whether they received a henna tattoo and learned about Sikhism from the Sikh Student Association or splattered paint at SpringFest’s Chill Zone with mental wellness clubs, festival-goers were able to learn about all of the wonderful community outreach endeavours within campus organizations. In addition to all of these great clubs, local boutiques like Bivouac, Motivation, and York Project brought in merchandise to further display all the Ann Arbor community has to offer.

SpringFest not only provided a platform for student organizations and local Ann Arbor businesses to showcase their products and initiatives, but it was also an incredible opportunity for MUSIC Matters to raise money for and spread awareness of our social ventures. Last year was the fifth year of putting on the campus-uniting festival, but it was the first year that MUSIC Matters introduced a grant program to assist other social action groups on campus. In 2017, MUSIC Matters launched our CoMMunity Partnership with Books for a Benefit, a nonprofit student organization dedicated to promoting literacy to students in southeast Michigan. Through funding and volunteering, MUSIC Matters ultimately helped BFB construct a library for the Flint community. In addition, festival-goers were encouraged to write their favorite books on bookshelves that would later be donated to BFB as well. Overall, through SpringFest, MUSIC Matters was able to create an unforgettable day that would benefit the Ann Arbor community for years to come.

The festival was capped off at night with an electrifying performance from Louis the Child and Lost Kings. While in past years MUSIC Matters has brought in various artists, such as 2Chainz, J Cole, Lil Yachty, and Migos, last year’s performance was especially unique because it was the first time that our organization brought in an electronic dance headliner. Louis the Child, who have previously headlined Coachella and Bonnaroo, enthralled the crowd at Hill Auditorium, and proceeds from the concert, as well as our fundraising efforts, further aided MUSIC Matters in supporting the missions of our CoMMunity Partners. Whether they knew it or not, everyone who attended either the day or night portion helped contribute to sparking social change in the community.

MUSIC Matters is excited to make the 2019 SpringFest bigger and better. This year, our partners are Heal-Move-Shift and Michigan Movement, and can’t wait to surpass last year’s fundraising amount by organizing an even more incredible SpringFest experience for the Ann Arbor community. We have already begun preparations for the event, and cannot wait to see all of our hard work come to fruition on April 16th.

Our Rebrand

Last semester, MUSIC Matters created an updated mission statement that we feel encompasses the true spirit of our organization and aligns more directly with our current community outreach values: “We aim to utilize the power of music to unite the Michigan community and promote educational accessibility.” Ayla Ahmed, Co-President of MUSIC Matters, explained that the need for the logo change came because “we have grown a lot from our foundation of putting on concerts into an organization with a much larger purpose— and our logo should reflect that.” With all of this in mind, our team set out to create a logo that we feel best represents our new mission statement and the organization we have become.

Our new logo features a pair of headphones that form a box around the words “MUSIC Matters.” The headphones come together on the left side to form the shape of a pencil, representing the education-centered social ventures aspect of our organization. This logo design was presented by Michelle Fan, one of our wonderful members. “I’ve never tried graphic design before,” Fan said, “but it’s something I’ve always been interested in.” While our previous logo was blue and green, we also decided to change our colors to blue and yellow, a combination that we feel best represents our club and ties us more closely to U of M and its values.

In order to create the logo, our graphic design team began by doing some research on the logos of other organizations, music companies, and community service groups. The team then held several design sessions where they brainstormed almost twenty logo ideas, and from there, they narrowed those choices down to three. Eventually, they decided on one logo that they felt best represented MUSIC Matters. The idea was then presented to our leadership team by Michael Barsky, our Creative Director. Using feedback from the leadership team, Michael, Michelle, and the entire graphic design team worked to finalize the logo that we now have. “The team did an incredible job moving from concept to deliverable,” Barsky said. “I am so proud of the way our team was able to unify our music production and social venture elements into a cohesive and artistic logo.” We are excited to move into this next year with our new logo, and are greatly appreciative to all within the MUSIC Matters family who contributed to the process and made this change possible!

Calling All Big Thinkers

MUSIC Matters, since its founding in 2011, has always understood the value of an education such as the one that the University of Michigan provides. However, with that understanding comes the recognition that college affordability is a problem many students seeking higher education face. So, in 2013, we founded the Big Thinkers Scholarship, a student-funded, need-based, endowed scholarship, and one of the first of its kind. The $50,000 endowment generates roughly two $2,000 scholarships per year, which are open to all current and incoming University of Michigan students.

Two years ago, we awarded this scholarship to high school student Zahra Makki, who we felt embodied the essence of a “big thinker.” She was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but moved to Dearborn, Michigan in 2006. She is now a sophomore at the University of Michigan, and, on campus, is involved in the Arab Student Association, Arabesque, and the Michigan Refugee Assistance Program. Zahra plans to major in either Public Health or Computer Science, and enjoys learning from and working with her peers, both inside and outside of the classroom. We have greatly enjoyed watching her succeed at the University of Michigan, and we can’t wait to see where she goes next!

Each year, the scholarship is accompanied by a theme. Two years ago, in alignment with the university’s goals and values, the theme was focused around the idea of civic leadership. We were searching for a scholarship applicant who we felt wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries, “think big,” and positively impact the Ann Arbor community for years to come, and we found this in Zahra.

This year, our theme is Change. MUSIC Matters has experienced a large amount of change during these past few years, and from this change we feel as though we have emerged a stronger and more impactful organization. Most notably, we have updated our mission statement to focus more on our education-centered community outreach endeavours and values. Because we know the world around us is constantly evolving, we are always searching for new ways to adapt to it and further our involvement in the community in new ways. We aim to find two open-minded and perseverant scholarship applicants with a desire to bring about a positive change in our community and a willingness to learn from and collaborate with others.

MUSIC Matters takes incredible pride in having the opportunity to help fellow and future University of Michigan students and make a true difference on campus and within the community at large. This year’s scholarship application closed on February 15, and we cannot wait to select the winners later this semester!

MM IN LA, WINTER '19

- Lucy Freeman, Marketing Chair

When I told my friends that the alumni from my club were funding a week-long professional development trip to LA for five members of leadership, they couldn’t believe it.

“Wow! Your club sounds so cool!”

They’re right. MUSIC Matters is an incredible organization, and the fact that an opportunity like the LA Trip exists proves how much the organization and its alumni care about the development of their members. This trip gave me insights to bring to the MUSIC Matters team back home and introduced me to roles in the entertainment industry I didn’t even know existed.

Each day of the trip we met incredible people from the some of the biggest companies in LA. One of my favorite meetings was with Brandon Shaw, the Director of Corporate and Executive Communications at ICM. We discussed ways in which MUSIC Matters could improve our public relations strategy, as well as build press contacts and brand awareness. It was incredibly moving to see how excited a Michigan alumnus was about helping and encouraging students, and equally as exciting to learn from someone with years of experience in the professional world.

Another personal highlight of the trip was our day of meetings at AEG. We met with Gary Gersh, Matt Ferrel, and James Allen. Gary, a member of the MUSIC Matters board, is an entertainment industry legend who has signed acts such as Nirvana and Counting Crows. One member on the trip, Noah, was even jokingly offered a job by Gary after demonstrating to him how to flip a Spotify playlist order. Matt Ferrel shared incredibly useful knowledge with us regarding how to structure marketing timelines most effectively for festivals (side note: he is also a partner at a super cool coffee shop with a location in Detroit, Populace Coffee). As a coffee fanatic and former barista myself, I loved seeing how he incorporated that passion into his career. Our last meeting of the day was with James Allen, who runs merchandise at Goldenvoice (think Coachella, Firefly, Hangout, etc.). I loved gaining insight as to how he effectively manages a team of creatives to create merchandise that fits with a festival theme, as well as what logistical aspects he has to consider to successfully pull off a merchandise line. The AEG offices are also super cool – decked out with neon light signs, concert photographs and posters, and even a jigsaw puzzle!

Although our days were chock-full of meetings, and that was definitely what we were most excited about, we still made time to have some fun in LA! Some of our favorite outings were walking down the Santa Monica pier, grabbing coffee at cafés, and getting ice cream sandwiches from Diddy Riese. I am also so grateful for the friendships that were formed during this trip. There is no group I would have rather walked an hour to four different coffee shops trying to find a table with.

So thank you, MUSIC Matters, for the incredible opportunity to travel to LA and meet with some absolutely amazing people. Opportunities like this are one of the many reasons I truly believe I am a part of the coolest club on campus.

Local Artist Spotlight: The Stellars

- Alex Lynch & Danny Ivanov, Local Talent

MUSIC Matters is pumped to present our second Local Artist Spotlight: The Stellars!

Raised in Ann Arbor, rock band The Stellars have solidified their place as a local favorite in the music scene throughout their time at the University of Michigan. Consistently proving themselves to students and townies alike through amazing shows in some of the area’s most noteworthy venues, as well as with a handful of outstanding releases, the group are basically rock legends. The Stellars currently feature Erez Levin on vocals, Dan Sagher on drums, Alex Fuchs on guitar, and Oren Levin on bass.

Photo courtesy of Josh Knoller

Today marks a self-proclaimed fresh start for The Stellars, as they transition from playing songs off of their 2016 album “Interthestellars” into a new era for the band. Along with the release of their brand new singles — collectively titled “The Stellars Release A Double Single 2: This Time It’s Two Songs Again” — the band will celebrate with an all-ages homecoming show tonight, January 25th, at The B-Side. Supported by close friends The Left Lanes and Nadim Azzam, the show is sure to be an exceptional, high-energy conversation between the band and the audience.

While their influences range all across the musical spectrum, the group says that this is their most punk-inspired music yet, expressed in a unique style The Stellars call “igneous rock.” The double single features a cover that is symbolic of the music it represents — a drawing of a futuristic city lies opaquely atop an image of the streets of Kerrytown late at night, intermingling the angst of the present and an excitement for the future. The double single includes tracks “The Distracted Age” (featuring the incredible Charlie Burg) and “Anakin, You’re Breaking My Heart!”.

Following this release, The Stellars say that we can expect small, consistent releases throughout the year. Due to their close connection to Ann Arbor’s music scene (most of the band grew up learning at the Ann Arbor Music Center and playing at the B-Side), the group is dedicated to connecting with the Ann Arbor community and University of Michigan students. Case in point, post a picture featuring their posters scattered around Ann Arbor and The Stellars promise to make you famous!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6XRUJEA2yhk54ThzEFoDkx?si=W4eo0dsQTHKgJFKxWPyHqA

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-stellars-release-a-double-single-2-single/1450115180

For more info about tonight’s show: https://www.facebook.com/events/225860901680983/

HoMe for the Holidays

Looking back on 2018, we have had an incredibly successful first semester. We showcased local talent at our Rock the Mic event, raised over $19,000 on Giving Blueday, selected our Community Partners for the school year, and began preparing for SpringFest this upcoming semester. We have been working tirelessly to promote educational accessibility and a love for music throughout Ann Arbor, and have some exciting projects and events coming up in the next few months.

While our responsibilities, school work, and schedules might feel overbearing during the holiday season, it’s important that we reflect on the true spirit of the holiday season and the primary mission of MUSIC Matters: giving back. As an organization and as a community, we have so much to be thankful for and so much to give back to the community, especially during the holidays. Once classes are finished and finals are turned in, we are lucky enough to have families and loved ones to return home to and celebrate holiday traditions with. We asked our MUSIC Matters family which traditions they were most thankful for and excited to celebrate. Some anticipated lighting the Hanukkah candles accompanied by Dean Martin’s “Let it Snow” or decorating the Christmas tree with Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” while others eagerly awaited baking cookies and admiring Christmas lights with family and friends.

While the answers varied, it was clear that we have so much to be appreciative of during this season and so much to give back to our Ann Arbor community. As we celebrate these traditions, we remember those who may not be as lucky as we are and the importance of the MUSIC Matters mission. So, while we are thankful that we were able to return home and spend the holidays with loved ones, we are just as excited to jump back into this next semester, work with our CoMMunity Partners Heal-Move-Shift and Michigan Movement, and continue to make a lasting impact on our community at large!