EAST LANSING, MI — Mash opened in January of this year in the heart of East Lansing’s main strip on Albert Street. The East Lansing Mash location is the franchise’s newest location, and Mash music booker Dan Laird hopes the East Lansing location will serve as a “franchise model” for thriving local music venues.
What sets Mash apart from other stores is that it was specifically designed to host live music. The bar has a stage and hosts live music every Friday. Mash Bar manager Tressa Harmon realized what a difference offering live music could make to her business.
“Honestly, we get a lot of students, we also get a little bit of an older crowd, we get a lot of parents and alumni on Friday,” Harmon said. “There will be some days that are very busy, and you’re like, wow, this is actually a very popular place, and we have something that no one else does.”
As a young adult in the Lansing area, Laird noticed that it was difficult to find local talent at local venues. After attending Michigan State University in the ’90s, Laird decided to stay in the area. Laird started playing music at age 19 and befriended musicians in the Lansing area. He began playing Peanut Barrel frequently with the duo Swift Brothers.
Too busy to perform, Laird moved into booking and founded Angry Talent Entertainment. Angry Talent is responsible for booking several venues in East Lansing, including Mash, Peanut Barrel, and Harrison Roadhouse.
“I was really excited that[Peanut Barrel]had the ambition to contribute by bringing live music to the venue,” Laird said.
From a musician’s perspective, Laird had an advantage. As he made the switch to booking, he realized the joy of being able to help bring music back to the region. He also witnessed the struggle to bring music back to the area.
“As musicians, we’ve seen a lot of places where we’re like, ‘Why isn’t there music? Or why can’t we get in there?'” Laird said. “A lot of times the reason is because even if they already have the music, they don’t know the musicians or they don’t know where to look.”
Laird cited MSU staples Rick’s and Harper’s as two music venues that have unfortunately gone “silent” as a result. Laird is working hard to bring live music back to the area with Angry Talent. And he’s not alone in his efforts.
Chuck Mannino is the owner of Mac’s Bar on Michigan Avenue. Mannino also attended MSU in the ’90s and remembers going to Mac’s as a student. Mannino bought the venue in 2005 and was greeted by the same dingy ceilings and stained ’80s carpeting he knew from his college days. Even though it was full of memories, the venue needed some love.
“We did something like restore an old building,” Mannino said. “Exposing the brick walls, adding a tin ceiling and wood bar gives it a more classic and timeless look.”
After renovations are completed in 2023, Mannino is booking musicians who play everything from bluegrass to heavy metal, and the venue is packed every night. We are happy to cater to the diverse musical tastes of the Lansing area. Mannino recalled experiencing live music as a student and enjoyed having them at Mac every night.
“I think that’s what college is all about,” Mannino said. Learn about all kinds of music. You can meet different kinds of people who are interested in different things. ”
