About Us
Mission
Our short-term objective is to create and display a short-term physical exhibit in the Shapiro Gallery in Clark Commons at the University of Michigan--Ann Arbor campus, titled Flyover Country. We hope to feature ephemera and live recordings from the regional underground and independent music scene in the lower Great Lakes region, spanning the 1970s/80s to the present, with a focus on showcasing artwork and music by artists in underrepresented or marginalized groups in these areas. Through posters, zines, live recordings, artwork, and other artifacts, the exhibit will visually document the history and impact of ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) culture as a community of practice within rural and suburban Midwestern communities. The exhibit will highlight the ways in which DIY culture fosters connection and resilience among marginalized youth, often in environments hostile to creative expression. By showcasing art created outside traditional cultural hubs like New York or Los Angeles, we aim to challenge perceptions that impactful art requires significant financial resources or proximity to major cities to be celebrated. Our long-term objectives include receiving 501c3 non-profit status and developing a full digital archive for future use. For more information, please check out our full proposal here or get in touch with us via our contact form below.
MEET OUR PROJECT TEAM
Natasha
Natasha
Natasha
Natasha Allen is a Senior Associate Librarian at The University of Michigan Library. She is an artist and has been involved in local independent music for 20+ years. She is the vocalist for a SE Michigan-based screamo band called Waunita. She has an extensive personal collection of physical and digital ephemera from doing band photograph
Natasha Allen is a Senior Associate Librarian at The University of Michigan Library. She is an artist and has been involved in local independent music for 20+ years. She is the vocalist for a SE Michigan-based screamo band called Waunita. She has an extensive personal collection of physical and digital ephemera from doing band photography, booking her own DIY local music shows, and running a house venue in Kalamazoo called Wayne Manor (RIP) while she was in graduate school.
Zach
Natasha
Natasha
Zach Crouse is the owner and creator of Westmipunk.com, an online digital music archive running since 2014, collecting West Michigan bands and their recorded works. As well as documenting and preserving local underground shows. He has been part of the West Michigan scene since the early 2000s. A member of numerous bands, booking shows and recording local bands.
