Want your music preserved for posterity? West Michigan artists can submit CDs to the district library so patrons can literally check out their music.
Growing His Audience: Toby Bresnahan, at right, of Peat in the Creel.
By Elizabeth Slowik
LocalSpins.com
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The world was nearly deprived of Toby Bresnahan’s solo CD, “Far From Home.”
The Celtic music veteran, one of four members of Peat in the Creel, stepped out of that traditional Irish box in 2010. He recorded some jazzy and folk tracks in his home studio. With the exception of fretless bass on one song, Bresnahan created every note on the mostly instrumental recording.
It was only at the urging of his wife that he decided to send those nuggets out into the world.
“That was the first official CD I’ve ever put out,” he said. “I started developing tracks, and my wife said, ‘You’ve got to do something with this.’”
Toby Bresnahan’s ‘Far From Home’
Today “Far From Home” lives on as part of a special collection of homegrown talent called Local Indie @ KDL, housed at the Kent District Library. More than 50 CDs by local artists so far are part of the collection.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Bresnahan said. “The more people my music reaches, the better.”
Pete Lewandoski, a librarian at KDL’s Richard R. Root Branch in Kentwood, is the driving force behind the Local Indie collection.
“Years and years ago, I used to go to Schuler’s (Schuler Books & Music) with the branch credit card to get local music,” Lewandoski recalled.
COLLECTION HOUSED AT KENTWOOD AND CASCADE TOWNSHIP BRANCHES
Those items and more morphed into the Local Indie @ KDL collection, comprising CDs, DVDs, books and even sheet music. The collection is housed at the Kentwood branch, 4950 Breton Road SE, and at the Cascade Township branch, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE.
In addition to visiting those branches, anyone with a KDL library card may order CDs from the collection online and pick up the items from the nearest branch. KDL has 18 branches, from Alpine Township to Wyoming.
Big Dudee Roo
To see more, go online to kdl.org’s Books & More page, where you will find the Local Indie @ KDL link. The online catalog numbers nine web pages of “Local Indie” material. The site also includes a list of KDL branches.
Library patrons with cards from libraries participating in the Lakeland Library Cooperative may order books from the collection. However, circulation for CDs is limited to KDL branches.
There is plenty of music amid the books and DVDs in the local collection, such as “Shaking at the Knees” by Al & The Black Cats, “Listen to Your Discontent” and “Germination” by Big Dudee Roo, “Win My Love” by Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, and “Safe Ship, Harbored” and “The Fool in Her Wedding Gown” from The Crane Wives.
For library patrons, it’s a great way to try a new band before investing in a live show or a CD purchase, Lewandoski said. For bands, it’s one more way to market their material.
ANOTHER FORM OF VALUABLE EXPOSURE FOR WEST MICHIGAN ARTISTS
“It’s just another form of exposure. My hope is that by taking them out, they’ll say, ‘This is cool. I’m going to buy this CD when I’m at the show.’ Hopefully, in the long run, it pays off in the following and monetarily,” said Lewandoski, a musician who plays with a blues band.
The Crane Wives
As part of the West Michigan music scene, Lewandoski is a knowledgeable caretaker for the local collection. A WYCE-FM community radio volunteer, he plays guitar and banjo, having been with the Kwils, Java Jive and now with The B Side Growlers. His desire to highlight local music for KDL patrons was at the core of the decision to create the collection.
About 18 months ago, the KDL gave the collection an identity with a logo, a place on the website and social media and publicity campaigns, Lewandoski added.
For West Michigan musicians, authors, movie-makers and other creative folks who want to add their material, there is a submission form on the KDL website which is linked here, or the items may be dropped off at any branch.
The KDL requests that artists donate two copies of the work, so that collections may be maintained at both the Kentwood and Cascade locations.
“With online music out there anyway, if I can get it free online, why not get it at the library,” said Bresnahan, whose day job is in information technology. “I can expand my local audience.”
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
