When you think of undiscovered talent, you may think of actors moving to Los Angeles or aspiring musicians auditioning for “American Idol.” What you may not think of is all the talent waiting to be discovered right here in Milwaukee.
The Borg Ward Collective and the Cactus Club are two Milwaukee venues that focus on lesser-known and often local talent. This fall, both venues are celebrating anniversaries and hosting special shows in honor of them.
Midway through 2007, a few local artists pooled resources to create a music venue. They found like-minded artists and volunteers, rented and renovated a building and in the end established a communal place for emerging visual and musical artists in the Milwaukee area. Thus, the Borg Ward Collective, 823 W. National Ave., was born.
In the past four years as the venue has grown, a sense of community has established among those who frequent it.
Joe Smith, a member of the Borg Ward, said in an e-mail, “We consider ourselves a community space and book events as such, allowing anything from high school bands playing their first shows to fundraisers for local non-profits.”
The recurrent concert-goers of the venue decided collaboratively which bands to showcase for their fourth anniversary concert. The bands selected for the lineup either play at Borg Ward often, attend concerts themselves or are favorites of the Borg Ward.
The fourth anniversary show takes place on Friday, Sept. 9. The event will feature a barbecue at 6 p.m., and a free show starting at 7 p.m. Trin Tran, Absolutely, Dan of Earth, Soup Moat and Sacrificial Massacre will be performing.
The venue hopes to continue to explore experimental music and test the limits in the future.
“We are committed to artists and musicians who push boundaries,” Smith said.
The Cactus Club’s venue, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave., is celebrating its 15th anniversary, despite its location in a century-old building.
Since its opening, the Cactus Club has featured a variety of well known acts such as The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, Death Cab for Cutie, Spoon and Bright Eyes. But the same venue that hosts Grammy Award-winning outfits also gives attention to lesser-known Milwaukee acts.
Instead of cramming the 15th anniversary show into one day, or even one week, the venue has decided to make their celebration of music from artists big and small last until the end of October.
Kicking off the festivities this Monday at 8 p.m. are MC Chris, MC Lars, Mega Ran and Adam WarRock. Jaill and Jacuzzi Boys will be performing Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m., and the Japanese-based Melt Banana, Centipedes and Protestant will take the stage starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.
What do these venues have in common? An appreciation for undiscovered talent. Christina Kowalsky, a sophomore in the College of Communication, has a passion for experimental, alternative and underground music. Kowalsky is interested in the music business and has worked with MusicSkins LLC, Syndicate Records and Red Bull Records.
“I love underground music because of its honesty,” Kowalsky said in an e-mail.
Kowalsky stresses the importance of supporting local bands.
“All of the acts that are seen on TV and heard on the radio started out somewhere,” Kowalsky said. “At one point in her life, Lady Gaga was playing under the name ‘Stefani’ in little piano bars across New York. Now she’s a multi-millionaire. You never know who could be next.”