American University Independent Arts Collective

Bringing the “Indie” Back to AU

By: Claire Rychlewski

            B.o.B., State Radio, and Super Mash Bros may not be the only musical artists coming to AU this year—not if Carolyn Becker and Jason Toner have anything to say about it. Cue the American University Independent Arts Collective (AUIA Collective): an organization dedicated to the introduction of alternative music and art to the American University campus.

The AUIA Collective is a club for AU students who wish to see a more independent arts scene on campus—this includes visual arts and live music. Co-presidents Toner and Becker are hoping to produce a ‘zine— independent, do it yourself info pamphlets, for the more uninformed— book shows with local bands, have record fairs, and introduce American to an alternative arts scene.  “The club aims to regularly bring music and arts acts in a more interactive and empowering fashion,” Toner said,  “Further engaging the already active student body by providing another creative outlet through a different outlet than already available.

Eagle article about an AUIA show in November 2002

AUIAC was a club on campus in the early 2000s, but disbanded. Becker and Toner heard about the club at a meeting for Positive Youth Fest 6— an annual celebration of Do-It-Yourself culture, music, and activism from the Washington, DC area. The Kay Spiritual Life Center (or simply Kay) was brought up as a possible venue for the event to be held, and that is when someone at the meeting mentioned that he had started AUIAC—and that Toner and Becker could find his constitution and reactivate the club. The two immediately jumped at the opportunity to revive the club, but unfortunately, it was not that easy. Since Student Activities did not keep AUIAC’s original constitution, Becker and Toner had to start from scratch. “I thought it would be cool to revive it because its original purpose was exactly what I wanted to do: book bands that I like at AU,” Toner said. “Carolyn and I have expanded the purpose of the club to do other things we both would like to see happen as well as keeping the original intent of the club intact.”

Carolyn Becker, Co-President

            Toner expressed disappointment in the current AU arts scene. He explains that student works of art are rarely displayed, there have been no exhibitions for students to showcase their art, and the music brought to American is either mainstream bands, or a student music group. Vice-President Ryan Grant offered a more personal reaction to the current visual arts scene at American, explaining that what he sees around campus seems to be “art for art’s sake,” rather than art that has a relevance to its surrounding environment and society. “I imagine that the club’s emphasis being much more both individualistic and community oriented so that any art projects undertaken will, a.) Not be for any grades and b.) have no criteria to be met other than the artists own inspiration. So art in that sense may be a lot purer.” Becker, an art major, said that she felt under-represented in the art that is displayed in buildings like the Katzen Arts Center.  “The art students do not receive much attention and there are not many ways that all of us can interact and be aware of each other.”

            One major staple of the club is bringing D.C. indie and hard-core bands to play shows on campus. Washington D.C. has a history of being an influential and pioneering scene for music. In the 1980s, the evolution of hardcore, a genre of music born out of punk rock, began in D.C. with bands like Minor Threat and Bad Brains. Additionally, D.C. is known for a unique genre called go-go, which is a blend of funk, rhythm and blues, and early hip-hop.  Being in an environment that fosters independence and promotes exploration of non-mainstream music, AU would seem like the perfect place to start this kind of club. Interestingly enough, George Mason University, located right outside D.C., also has an Independent Arts Collective with similar goals to AU’s.

“AU has been an outlet for the scene in the past, and now that we are a functioning club, we hope to bring hardcore back to AU,” said Toner. He added that he hears older people remember about shows in the basement of Kay with fondness. “It’s nice to be able to have shows on campus again,” he said.

Since AU has not been as involved with the local music scene recently, most students are unaware of its place in the independent music community of D.C. Sophomore Sara Norton is an example of this. “I wasn’t even aware that AU had a music scene. I had never considered it to be unified.” Norton said. She added that she never thought to define AU’s music scene by any specific genre, because the musical acts that the Student Union Board have brought so far have been really diverse. “I’d really like to see local bands,” she said. “I think it would be a great way to get AU involved with the community outside of just the campus.”

Ryan Grant, Vice-President

When asked about the larger student body’s reaction, Grant said “Most people on campus won’t be all that aware of what’s going on, but for a certain crowd it’ll be an option—something of an enigma in this part of town to have local shows here. “ Becker added that all students will have the opportunity to try to book bands they like to play at Kay through the permit that AUIAC has. 

As for specific plans this year, Toner and Becker are just hoping to get AUIAC off the ground and gain some recognition among the student body. Along with the scheduled shows, the club will try to produce two or three ‘zines that will be submission based. Personal stories about seeing live music, recipes, original artwork, band interviews, and album reviews are encouraged. The club would also like to have a record and CD fair sometime in March; Becker said that she wanted to ask local record labels to come with a stock of their inventory to sell, along with other local record stores and independent distribution centers (or individuals with an extensive record collection).  Additionally, Becker and Toner want to have at least one student run, student submitted art exhibition, as well as hold movie nights, political, art, and music discussions, and paint-a-thons.

 So how will this start up independent arts club—with only about dozen members at the moment—reach the rest of AU? “I think the events will draw kids themselves,” Toner said.  “Lots of kids want to have some way of blowing off some steam, and what better way than going to a show with some bands playing fast, loud music? Kids will be able to go nuts, have fun, and see some cool bands. And if kids don't want to go to some random hardcore show, what better way to unwind than checking out some cool artwork done by your peers? This club will have something for everyone, and that’s what is going to make us successful.”