You could describe it as Colorado State University’s version of MTV.
Switch on the tube, sit back and experience the thrill of a local concert – all from the comfort of your couch. Throw in an interview with the band, some masterful audio and visual editing and you have the Colorado Music Lounge, one of Campus Television’s most captivating programs.
“We’re bringing the concert and the band to you,” said Eric Myers, a senior journalism major and co-producer of CML. “[You] can get an appreciation of music but more so the culture. We have brought more awareness to the music scene.”
And indeed, CML has blazed its trail into the heart of Fort Collins music scene by showcasing local talent and empowering the musical community.
“The most important thing that it has done is exposed the local music scene,” said Nic Tapia, a graduate student in business and director of CML. “It shows the diverse amount of music that we have in Fort Collins and in Colorado. It really gives [bands] a place to play.”
sound check
Since its inception during the summer of 2008 by KCSU and CTV students, Steve Hendrickson and Josh Middleton, CML has introduced students and music lovers to local bands through its bi-weekly 30-minute shows featuring live concerts shot at venues around Fort Collins, such as the Aggie Theater and Road 34.
“It’s fun when we do shoot a show and people find out they’re on camera,” Tapia said. “We try to pick either CD releases or special event shows that are going to have a big crowd.”
During concerts, Tapia oversees his crew of five camera people and one audio person, making sure everything is running smoothly and coordinating what is being filmed. While Tapia does that, Myers is responsible for contacting most of the performing bands and he also has the entertaining task of interviewing bands, too.
“It’s building character in that sense,” Myers said. “You have to look for who these people really are, what brought them to where they are and why they’re playing music. I try to pull out the good funny stories if I can. These bands, a lot of them, are kind of crazy.”
Considering the variety of musical genres on CML, the crew is bound to encounter some unconventional personalities. Since its first show, CML has broadcast ska, reggae music, alternative rock, bluegrass, metal, hard rock and hip-hop.
“I’ll be open about it – I have good taste,” Myers said. “I feel like I’m pretty balanced in knowing what’s good music and what spans the entire ‘genre-scape.’”
Myers’ selections include not only homegrown bands from Fort Collins, but also more famous bands such as Cracker, and the Three Twins, both groups who have toured nationally.
One thing is certain, these people know their music, and, according to Myers, take it “very seriously – probably, too seriously.”
In order to stay informed about up-and-coming bands, Myers regularly listens to hundreds of CD’s, attends concerts and reads about different groups.
“They pinpoint bands that are on that cusp anyway,” said Greta Cornett, a CSU alumna and president of the Fort Collins Musician’s Association. “They’ve done a really good representation of picking all the different genres.”
Cornett is also a trumpet player and backup vocalist for the local bands, 12 Cents for Marvin and the Caleb Riley Funk Orchestra. She has been instrumental in booking venues for CML and helping the program contact bands.
“I’ve always been a big supporter of them [CML and its producers],” Cornett said. “Any time they ever need help getting in touch with artists or talking to venue owners, I make it happen.”
Once the crew is done shooting, the grueling work of editing begins. This means “mastering the audio” and lining up the shots from the five cameras, a method that can take hours.
“Scheduling the band, [doing] the interview, and shooting the show really only takes up 20 to 25 percent of the work we put in,” Tapia said. “Most of the work comes from the editing process.”
Tapia estimates that he works for an hour and a half on a single three and a half minute song. The huge time commitment means that he often spends his weekends in front of a computer editing, but fortunately, he loves it.
“It’s a really long process but it’s my hobby – something I really truly enjoy,” Tapia said.
Luckily, the dedicated CML staff has scored critical acclaim for their spring 2008 show, “Roe … Live!” They are also up for the Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. Advanced Video Production Award.
an asset to the community
“The big thing with CML is I want to give a voice to all these bands and get people interested in the local music scene,” Tapia said. “We’re really unique – focusing on the close-knit community and the smaller bands.”
Although Fort Collins does not boast an extensive music scene compared to those of Denver or Boulder, the friendly atmosphere of the town and appreciation for local artists have garnered a rise in support for local music.
“Over the last couple of years there was sort of a shift,” Tapia said. “The scene of Colorado even five years back – bands weren’t inviting other people to play at their shows and that was a problem because it was hard for bands that were trying to get going. [Now] people and bands have been supporting each other, going to different venues and sticking around for their shows.”
If there’s one important contribution that CML has made at CSU and even Fort Collins, it’s bringing the community together through local music. Even students who are not involved in the local music scene can take away something from the show.
“They [CML] are able to connect CSU with the local community because that’s always been a missing link,” Cornett said. “The goal of the musicians and CML is that people will see this in their rooms and then be inspired to go out and see these bands live because they enjoyed the performance and liked the music.”
Tapia and Myers both encourage students and Fort Collins residents to tune into the show to see what’s happening locally, instead of focusing on Denver for music.
“The Colorado music scene has grown to a point where there’s something out there for everyone, so check it out,” said Myers.
Tags: Volume 5 Issue 1
