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Muse Music a venue for local talent

September 19, 2003

Muse Music a venue for local talent
By Stefanie Hubbs NewsNet Staff Writer - 19 Sep 2003

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With students back in school for a new semester, Chuck Hamm, the owner of Provo's Muse Music, said he wants to showcase the local talent, but his small business struggles to make ends meet.

"I've never even made a profit," said Hamm. "I've never paid myself."

He said he got the startup money for the club by using his own cash and several low-interest credit cards.

"Muse has been paying that off slowly, as we go along," Hamm said.

Pattie Hamm, Chuck Hamm's sister, said discovering local talent is the purpose of Muse Music. She said her brother missed live music venues when he moved from California to Provo.

"He just wanted to have a place where non-mainstream bands could play," she said.

"All-ages venues are hard," said Corey Fox, the manager in charge of booking at Muse Music. "Most clubs serve alcohol and ninety percent of their profits come from that."

Fox said he compares the problems the Provo music scene is facing to those shared by BYU sports programs. He said he feels the levels of musicianship and athleticism are high, but people do not show up for events.

"It's definitely not what it was in the mid '90s," Fox said. "There's still the talent, but not as much support."

Fox said he hopes bands like the Electoral College, a project headed by Mike McCaleb of the former band The Sugarland Run, will draw larger crowds to Muse Music. He also said Open-Mic Acoustic Nights held on Tuesdays are becoming popular.

A BYU alumnus, Hamm said he graduated in August of 2000 before beginning work as a Spanish linguist in Salt Lake City. For a short while after college, Hamm said he also worked as an administrator for the Boy Scouts of America, but soon left to pursue other goals.

Though never part of a band himself, Hamm said he grew up listening to The Doors and Jimi Hendrix and going to Green Day and The Offspring concerts in his hometown of Los Angeles.

"In the beginning, we did a little bit of looking for bands," Hamm said. "But not anymore. We literally get bands from all over the country."

David Radmacher, lead singer of the local band Aberdine, helped Hamm by purchasing equipment and opening up a sound booth.

Muse Music officially opened at 145 N. University Ave. in Provo February 2002.

"It's a fun little place," said Melissa Mortenson, a junior from Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania majoring in advertising. "After all, this is a college town and local bands need somewhere to play."

Mortenson said Muse Music is a nice alternative to the typical Provo student activities, like bowling and eating at The Malt Shoppe.

"Honestly, I don't see why more people don't go there," she said. "It beats Movies 8 any day."

"I think Muse Music is doing a good job of getting bands out there," said Melody Clark, a junior majoring in psychology. "It's basically the only venue in Utah County. I think it's needed."

Muse Music features bands every night of the week, except Sunday and Monday. Because the venue does not sell alcohol, people of all ages may participate.

Muse also sells CDs from "hot local picks," such as Tomorrow's Rescue, an emo band from Texas, and The Sugarland Run.

Source: The Daily Universe

http://www.newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/45626