Every other Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., a small group of students gather in E227, eager to dive into the latest songs, albums and artists. This is Underground Music Club, one of LHS’s newest sources of community and cultural enrichment.
Founded last year by current LHS seniors Liam Travers and Graham Eisenberg, Underground Music Club (UMC) lives up to its name in many ways: It is an underground club, a music club and a club devoted to underground music.
“It’s just … people who believe they found some hidden talent out there and they’re like, ‘I wish this person had more attention because I know they can be mainstream,’” said Eisenberg. “It’s just kind of promoting that underappreciated music that people don’t really listen [to].”
This underappreciated music — which includes “underground rap,” rock ‘n roll, indie and various other genres — is listened to, though, particularly by Travers, Eisenberg and their close friends. However, UMC was not founded as a result of this niche interest. Initially, Travers and Eisenberg were simply hoping to get involved and build a community.
“We were actually going to call it Unemployment Club. Then, we didn’t know what it was going to be. We talked to Blankenship; he said it was a bad idea,” said Travers. “So, we switched to Harte, and we got Underground Music Club going because we’re more versed in that.”
This pivot was the right choice; from there, UMC took off. Each week, there are roughly 10 to 20 students in attendance, including a small group of self-proclaimed leaders. Along with Travers and Eisenberg, Max Miller and Porter Altena are significant forces in UMC. Together, the group plans club meetings, which usually include a main activity and spare time to talk about and listen to new music.
“We’ve tried to do something different for basically every meeting. Sometimes we’ll write lyrics; like we [recently] did lyrics to a song because we dabble in the music industry,” said Travers. “So, we’ll do something like that, or we’ll have a slideshow…Like we did a Jeopardy one time. So, it’s just a fun game that we have for the main part. Then, if we have something else to show, like a song…we’ll do that maybe toward the end.”
UMC is not only devoted to what goes on inside Harte’s room. As the new year approaches, Travers and Eisenberg are focused on raising awareness about the club. Over the holiday break, or within the first few weeks of January, the two hope to release the pilot episode of the UMC podcast. Through this medium, Travers and Eisenberg will discuss underappreciated music, interview guests and expand UMC’s reach beyond the halls of LHS.
“I mean, we just want the club to grow. We want it to be a face…of Lincoln that I think is underrepresented [in] the musical scene,” said Travers. “I mean, [LHS has a] great band and everything. What about our vocalists and our musicians that make other songs?”
Focusing on lesser-known music and artists, however, comes with natural challenges. Especially within the LHS student body, Travers and Eisenberg have found it difficult to cultivate a large interest in underground music.
“For example: our close friends. I’d say they represent a broad population of Lincoln. They hate the music we listen to; it’s loud, they critique it. It’s whatever. I mean, I respect it,” said Eisenberg. “But at the same time, it does make it challenging to get a foundation of people that will go to your club.”
Despite the difficulties of leading and growing UMC, Travers and Eisenberg have experienced significant personal fulfillment as a result of the club.
“I have met a lot more people,” said Eisenberg.
Beyond that, UMC is a source of respite during the school week; it is a place where friends and peers can come together and appreciate the music they truly enjoy.
“You know, it’s like…we need an ad break or something. It’s like we need a little break in the middle — like a 15 at your shift,” said Travers. “So, it gives you something to look forward to.”
