Local Music-Ivry

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hin layers of smoke blur the dark walls
and dim lights, fusing them together
in The Deli. A few steps lead up to
the bar and tables for patrons to sit
at as they watch bands perform on
the stage below. For a more intimate
experience, those who come to The
Deli on Campus Corner can enjoy the
music up close with seating beside
the stage. Both local musicians and
musicians from across the nation
come to The Deli to share their music
with anyone who will listen.
Over on Crawford Avenue in Norman,
a similar scene plays out after hours in a small room lined with massive paintings
of cats. Students and older fans pack close together in Opolis, crowding the stage
up front to get close to the live action about to play out. When bands finally appear
onstage, the crowd slowly warms up, heads nodding along with the rhythm and
voices echoing the band’s lyrics as the Norman music scene truly comes to life.
Cliff Marroquin enjoys the fact that widely known acts such as Vampire
Weekend pass through Norman on national tours, playing to a smaller crowd at
venues such as Opolis or The Deli.
“We’re not a Brooklyn. We’re not an Austin,” says Marroquin, human relations
senior. “We’re just a city in Oklahoma with 100,000 people.”
Marroquin also appreciates having Norman venues so close to him.
“You don’t have to put a whole night aside to make a trip. [The music is]
basically at your doorstep,” Marroquin says.
Macy Hoover, film and video studies junior, is drawn to these Norman venues
at least once every two weeks. She frequents the Norman music scene because of
the passion everyone involved in the music process puts forth. From the artists,
to the venue owners, to the fans, all love being engaged in the music. Hoover
is also aware of a difference in the way Norman’s musicians play in contrast to
certain national acts.
“I think once you get past a certain point of popularity, it . . . becomes more
of a chore,” Hoover says. When musicians are focused on playing for the love of
music rather than because they are obligated to with a contract, “[their music]
sounds better and the emotion is there.”
Andrew Nunez, Opolis co-owner and drummer of The Starlight Mints, also
notices the unique sound Norman’s musicians possess.
“I definitely hear all the time . . . ‘Oh, this band kind of reminds me of this
band — not in a rip-off way but just kind of in some sort of similar genre,” Nunez
says.
These Norman bands have the opportunity to dive headfirst into the music
scene without straying too far from home. Local music stores such as Guestroom
Records and local venues alike allow bands to test the waters of the music scene
before traveling outside of Oklahoma to promote their music.
“I’ve seen the scene come and go over the last 10 years. It kind of goes up and
down like a rollercoaster,” Nunez says. “We kind of just roll with the punches.”
In addition to local businesses, average Oklahomans support these musicians,
adding to Norman’s local music scene.
“Oklahoma people are more pro-Oklahoma,” Nunez says. “I’ve noticed that
Oklahoma people get behind things.”
As a young band started in 2009, surf-punk band The Boom Bang appreciates
how easy it is to break into Norman’s music network. Connecting with venue
owners and other bands certainly helps the band grow and reach out to a wider
number of potential fans.
“The people that support your music are also in bands,” says Tommy
McKenzie, English literature junior and guitarist for The Boom Bang. “It’s not
biased at all. It’s a direct relation.”
McKenzie also appreciates the honest feedback from other Norman
musicians. Fellow musicians in Norman’s music network will let bands know
whether or not they like their music without being brutal. Local record labels do
not want to produce music that is meaningless to them. Local bands also aim to
produce music that is meaningful to them.
“The ultimate goal . . . would be to make a living playing music,” Hoover
says.
However, if musicians do not put their hearts into their creations and
maintain a strong work ethic, success will distance itself even further.
“Just do what you enjoy. Once you lose sight of that, there’s really no point in
doing it anymore,” McKenzie says.
story by Tegan Burkhard
photos by Katie Shoelen
local music
The Deli and Opolis, two norman venues known
for showcasing local bands, provide Normanites
with unique sounds.
Indie music blasts from the speakers, enveloping
customers as they enter Guestroom Records on Main Street.
This quirky music store features fliers of upcoming concerts
across Oklahoma, from Norman to OKC to Tulsa, unique
artwork from artists across the U.S., and a vast array of CDs and
records. At Guestroom Records, all genres and generations of
music are welcome, from The Beatles to Olivia Newton John to
Weezer.
Guestroom Records has been in operation since 2002 when
Co-owners Travis Searle and Justin Sowers began distributing
music to people through monthly garage sales. From there,
their operation evolved into the store it is today — where
DJs, students and record collectors alike come to stock up on
music.
“The seed stock was Travis and Justin’s personal collection,”
says Tom Goheen, Guestroom Records’ first hired employee.
“It was hard for the first couple of months . . . but to
guarantee from day one that you’ve got a store worth coming
into as opposed to a store that’s just got all new product or all
junky used flea market, thrift store crap . . . you’ve got to,” Searle
says.
In 2007, Guestroom Records even expanded into the
heart of Oklahoma, opening a bigger version of its Norman
counterpart in Oklahoma City.
Although the main feature of Guestroom Records is its
extensive collection of music, the store also sells offbeat items
such as ranch-flavored mints, hip-hop cubes and merchandise
highlighting the store’s logo.
Guestroom Records heavily involves itself in the local
music scene; when it’s not promoting local events and selling
music by regional-based bands and artists, Guestroom Records
produces CDs, EPs and records on its own record label. In fact,
Guestroom Records produced a vinyl for one of Norman’s own
indie pop/indie rock bands, The Starlight Mints.
“We’re just sort of mingled in the local music scene in a lot
of different little ways,” Goheen says.
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etc.
DON’T
stop the music
1) Guestroom Records offers a wide variety of music from all eras.
2) The orange couch is Guestroom Records’ trademark.
1) Dick Valentine, the lead singer of Electric Six, puts on a performance with the help of
drinking in between songs. 2) The drummer of Electric Six plays a set with his band.
3) The Constellations’ keyboardist Jamie Gordon takes a break from his regular duties and
gives the crowd more cowbell.