Sam Gilbert
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Textbooks are stacked high and flashcards are ready to be studied. It’s official, kids — school is back in session. But despite the painful reality of school, SLO Brewing Co. has presented a lineup so original, it’s bound to stop even the most severe cases of post-summertime sadness.
“We’re doing a lot more indie and electronic dance music (EDM) artists,” SLO Brewing Co. general manager Monte Schaller said. “We haven’t really worked with that industry very often the last two to three years, and there are a lot of tickets to be sold for that.”
The venue prides itself on providing a wide variety of music. The San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly communities have a vast range of music tastes, and SLO Brewing Co. has committed itself to catering to a large array of interests.
Schaller said every night at the venue has a different feel.
“Sometimes, there are acoustic shows where it’s seated, and we put candles out,” he said. “We also have EDM shows where we have the smoke on, lasers out and it’s a Vegas-like show.”
Kinesiology freshman Jessica Eisenhauer said she moved in just one week ago and has already heard of SLO Brewing Co.’s concerts.
“I’m a freshman so I don’t know much about it, but I’ve heard that a lot of people go and there are live bands,” Eisenhauer said. “I’m really into country and alternative music, so I’d like to see bands like that this quarter.”
Good news: The managers at SLO Brewing Co. feel the same. According to the lineup, this quarter incorporates many new faces and first-time artists.
“Just because the general public hasn’t heard of a band doesn’t mean that it’s going to fail,” Schaller said. “The resources for people to discover music is so plentiful right now — Spotify and Pandora are great examples.”
Kinesiology graduate student Alyssa Britt said she wants to see more low-key, current bands.
“I really like SLO Brew, and I’d love to see smaller-named bands play there,” Britt said.
A lot of alternative, local bands create names for themselves by starting at SLO Brewing Co. — Proxima Parada is one of them. The band, set to perform Friday, Sept. 26, began as a group of Cal Poly students with a dream. Now, they’re performing for an expected sold-out show for their CD release party.
“We have the ability to cater to national touring acts, but whenever we have that, we use it as a way to get exposure for the local bands by having them open for a sold-out show,” Schaller said.
In addition to the line of rising stars, SLO Brewing Co. also includes artists with a wide recognition.
Kalin and Myles, rising stars on the Top 20 Sirius Radio for “Love Robbery,” are set to play on Nov. 10; hip-hop artist Twista expects to play for a sold-out show on Oct. 26.; and Aaron Carter will take the stage on Sept. 25.
“Aaron Carter is definitely one of the favorites, because everyone knows who he is,” Schaller said. “Go ask any 22-year-old girl right now about him, and they totally geek out on it.”
Although most of the bands are new, returning artists for this quarter include Through the Roots on Sept. 30 and the English Beat on Oct. 3.
SLO Brewing Co. typically announces upcoming events via Twitter and Instagram approximately six to eight weeks before the show.
“Come to the opening bands,” Schaller said. “You never know who will surprise you.”