With the underground art and music scene rapidly growing all over the country, it’s easy to picture indie groups performing in the Chicago suburbs, Austin living rooms or independent art galleries in Brooklyn.
However, the underground music and art scene in the Valley is bigger than ever. Tempe’s own niche of eclectic music is easily accessible for students to explore and appreciate, thanks to The Underground Foundation, or TUF.
TUF, a student organization, organizes and books house shows for up-and-coming artists and bands, as well as poetry events and art displays. Established nearly a decade ago, TUF was formed to create an environment for people to come together and facilitate a community for people with common interests.
Occasionally, TUF will coordinate with other philanthropic organizations and organize benefit shows to help the community. Sharing a passion for music, poetry and other art forms with ASU students is what TUF is all about.
SPM spoke with the foundation's president, senior Troy Penny, and the treasurer, sophomore Chyanne Richardson.
How did you become involved with TUF?
Penny: “I went to (Passport to ASU) my freshman year, and TUF was tabling there. It sounded really interesting; so I went to their second show of the year because there was a band that I knew on the bill. It was a really cool environment; there were a lot of people there. Everyone was really nice and approachable and really easy to talk to. I found that I had a lot in common with like-minded people with passions for creative things — a lot of musicians and artists.”
Richardson: “I didn’t really know that Tempe had a music scene, and I want to work in music so it was something that interested me. I just started going to the meetings and then started going to the shows.”
What is the main goal of TUF?
P: “(TUF) is so DIY, it’s so personal. ... You don’t have to get in contact with a promoter or venue or any of that type of stuff. If you want to throw a show, you can throw a show. All you really need is a PA (Public Address System). Seeing that type of stuff is really cool because it offers a lot of bands their first show.”
R: “This semester, we’re doing bi-weekly meetings and on the off weeks, we’re doing different events. We just had TUF Film where we get together and watch a movie, and we do TUF Takeover where we support a local business. We’re trying to appeal to a big amount of people — like what interests them. Some people feel more comfortable doing certain things rather than others, and just trying to really create a community where you feel like you can talk to anyone. Foster a caring community.”
What makes TUF so unique and accessible for students?
P: “With house shows and the DIY scene in Tempe, it’s a lot easier to get started with that sort of thing and really get access. … It kind of offers that starting point for a lot of bands. That’s not to say that TUF is the only organization doing house shows, (but) it’s definitely the only on-campus organization doing this type of thing. There was a point where these kind of things weren’t happening as much. House shows weren’t really happening until TUF came about.”
TUF is very open about its safe space policy. Why is that so important to you?
P: “All of our shows are safe spaces. Creating a safe space is not always a thing, sadly. Fostering a sense of community with people who share these interests, bringing people together. That sounds so cheesy but that’s what TUF is about — bringing people like-minded together.”
R: “We’re trying to emphasize a really open and comfortable community, and we want everyone to feel accepted, especially because most of us are pretty new officers. We haven’t been involved in the Tempe music scene for very long, which is kind of good because it's like fresh faces, so I think that creates a new generation of TUF. It’s a good opportunity for students who are interested in TUF – we’ve reinvented ourselves, but we’re keeping close to our roots.”
What are your plans for this semester?
R: “We’re trying to expand and make TUF very inclusive. We know that TUF had a history of being exclusive, but we’re trying to make it a lot more diverse this year and just really focus on drawing in a bigger crowd that interests more people."
What do you enjoy the most about TUF?
R: “I feel like at every meeting I’m meeting someone new. Before TUF, I wasn’t really into poetry or anything, but we have a lot of poets in here, and it’s really cool to talk to them and hear their viewpoints. I love being able to meet new people and see people’s art, seeing how people’s minds work.”
