Today we bring you very very big news for the music scene in our sister city of Champaign Illinois. The record label Error Records along with the help of a few others are launching a brand new all ages music venue. If the launch of the venue is successful, this could mean very big and exciting things for Champaign and also the Central Illinois music scene as a whole. It is important for all of us in Springfield that call Black Sheep our home to support this new venue in one of our neighboring cities. Nathan Landolt of Error Records has this to say:

Since moving to Champaign-Urbana about 7 years ago, I have witnessed first-hand what the local music community has to offer. Not only great new music, but genuine hard working and inspiring people. Making friends through a strong and diverse artistic community has little to no comparison in my opinion. No matter what age you are, or stage in your life you’re at, you take all of these experiences and friendships with you for the rest of your life.

It doesn’t come with some risks, though. Putting on house shows where the cops could show up any minute and shut you down is no worry any music lover wants to carry. Not being able to pay a traveling band gas money because you had to pay X amount of dollars an hour to rent the space you’re throwing the show at also sucks. It’s also discouraging to have to host a show at a bar with an age limit when you know a lot more people could be enjoying the show.

If I wouldn’t have been able to get into some of the all-ages venues in St. Louis, that I did as a 15 year old, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I hope to provide those same opportunities to the younger generation of today. This is why Champaign-Urbana needs an all-ages music venue with an honest business model that doesn’t discourage any person from putting together an event, or to see one.

I look forward to bringing the underground music and art scenes together. For all of the support I have already received from the community, I am forever grateful. I hope that support and desire continues to take us places we never imagined possible.

You can find more about the project here on Indiegogo. You can also watch a youtube video about the project above and also donate to the project on the indiegogo page. The overall goal for the venue is $3000 which has to be raised in 30 days. Along with donating there are a list of incentives including a hand printed screen printed poster designed by Springfield’s Brian Galecki, and also some records from the Error catalogue. We plan on keeping you all updated on the launch of the new music venue, which will likely be opened towards the end of March or the beginning of April. And now a message from Kevin:

This is an amazing thing for Champaign/Urbana.  As we all know, all ages venues are rare and extremely hard to keep afloat.  I encourage you all to support our friends out there and support this cause. Without our community here in Springfield and Central Illinois it would have been impossible for us to open and stay that way.  All of us in the Black Sheep family know the struggle. Good luck to Nathan and crew I am excited to have a sister all ages venue out there.
– Kevin Bradford