That's My Club

Independent Music Fund

By Jennifer Kostka '04
Photos by Philip Scalia

In November 2002, Ben Turner '05, Blake Erb '05 and their friends were driving to Albany to see their 11th concert of the semester when they realized that not one of the shows they had attended had been at Hamilton. It wasn't that Hamilton wasn't offering musical options; it was just that the options available weren't compatible with their personal tastes. They soon realized that, with a little funding, they could bring the bands they liked to campus. And just like that, the Independent Music Fund was born.

Blake Erb '05 (left) and Ben Turner '05 getting set for a concert in the Fillius Events Barn.

The Independent Music Fund (IMF) brings alternative music -- local, underground, punk and hardcore -- to campus. With just $300 from the campus radio station, WHCL, IMF hosted emo ("emo"tionally charged punk rock) and indie (groups not associated with a major record company) bands Long Since Forgotten, This Afternoon and Moneybags Gram (now Fire When Ready). Although the concert did not draw a huge crowd, it stirred some interest, and turnout at subsequent concerts has continued to grow. "Even if students haven't heard of the bands we bring, they come check them out anyway," Turner said. "I think we have an ever-increasing turnout because people have faith that we will bring good bands."

IMF has about 15 members who organize events by listening to demo CDs, contacting bands' booking agents and obtaining social spaces. This spring, for example, nearly 500 students turned out for IMF's "Mayday on Minor Field," a music festival that boasted a main stage featuring nationally touring bands and a smaller stage that showcased student talent. Although the group has selected bands based on personal interest, IMF members have started a list of bands based on suggestions from the College community. "Our goal is to continue growing and lay the groundwork for future students to bring their musical interests to campus by showing them how to plan and pull together concerts," Turner added.