You stand in a crowded basement, shoulder to shoulder with people you’ve just met.
Suddenly, the music snaps to life. You hear the sharp crack of the drums and feel the bass in your body.
You’ve just wandered into one of Corvallis’ many house shows, and it’s thrilling.
Live, local music is nothing new. People have been hosting backyard concerts since the invention of the guitar. But Corvallis has a particular vibe that sets it apart.
“It’s kind of hidden, but it’s very cool people generally,” said Jeremiah Jones, a member of the band, Skip The Millers. “I like that people tend to look out for each other at shows and protect each other.”
Skip The Millers is a Corvallis-based alternative rock band that has been playing together for four years and recently performed their final show at the Whiteside Theatre.
Through those four years, they’ve gained plenty of experience in the Corvallis music scene.
Alex Tannahill, another member of Skip The Millers, said, “I’d say it changes a lot. You know, people move a lot. Every year there’s new people coming and going. So it’s community-driven, and it’s a fast-changing community.”
Tannahill refers to Corvallis’ large student population. While many community members aren’t students, much of the city’s music scene consists of them. As Tannahill notes, this creates a rapidly changing community where members often come and go after roughly four years.
Although this means frequently saying goodbye to bands and venues, it also allows for rapid change — sometimes for the better. The Bunker, a house that often hosts basement shows, focuses on highlighting queer and BIPOC voices at times when the community needs them most.
“There were a bunch of old house show venues that didn’t feel as comfy, especially as someone who’s queer, trans, or any sort of marginalized identity,” said Jules North, a member of The Bunker. “We ended up just making a venue for people that don’t feel comfortable going to other places.”
Like many houses around Corvallis, The Bunker prides itself on creating and fostering community. They occasionally host non-music events as well, such as Radical Pride, a celebration of queer culture featuring crafts and workshops.
“We like the idea that the house can be more than just music, that you can come and hang out, make connections, and meet people,” said Joules Brandell, another member of The Bunker.
So how do you experience the sounds of Corvallis’ music scene? Sometimes it’s as simple as spotting stray posters on lamp posts. Other shows spread through word of mouth or social media.
There’s no consistent way to find them….which is part of the fun.
You can find event updates involving The Bunker at @bunker.bunker.bunker on Instagram. You can also find Skip The Millers on Instagram at @skip.the.millers, though, as mentioned earlier, they recently performed their final show.
