Eau Where??? — EMMIE MAGAZINE

by Zach Marshall

A common joke amongst the residents of Eau Claire county is the phrase “Eau Where?” This phrase refers to the thinly distributed cities in Northern Wisconsin and how nobody knows about Eau Claire. Major cities in Northern Wisconsin are scarce, to say the least. Despite this, Eau Claire has developed one of the richest music cultures that I have ever seen.

The first interaction with the culture of Eau Claire was Country Fest. Country Fest was the first major festival to put Eau Claire on the music radar in 1987. Country Jam soon followed in 1990. Then Rock Fest was created in 1994. These three festivals individually held an average attendance of over 20 thousand. All three of these concerts were estimated to contribute an average of $9 million annually to the Eau Claire economy. In 2015 Blue Ox was founded with headliner Bon Iver. Eaux Claires was also created in 2015 and offered a more contemporary artistic experience.

I sat down with Gordy Bischoff of Bischoff Guitars, a local guitar shop. Gordy has operated in Eau Claire since 1976. When discussing the history of festivals in Eau Claire, Gordy thought it was important to remind me that music and the music industry are two separate entities. Developing new concerts and forms of musical entertainment are all part of similar revenue streams for the city of Eau Claire.I talked with Gordy about his history in Eau Claire and all the cultivation of music in Eau Claire. “I think one of the horses that the business community is riding these days is arts and entertainment. Entertainment is really broad- I mean, entertainment could be riding your bike down the bike trails, canoeing or, you know, all that stuff”. Entertainment is truly a broad term. It seems as if Eau Claire is doubling down on the entertainment aspects of music festivals. Both Eaux Claires and Blue Ox have attempted to build experiences centered around music by incorporating fine arts and the natural beauty of Eau Claire into the festival experiences.

Gordy’s problem with Eau Claire’s local music circuit is the “Lack of cross-pollination between Eau Claire and other cities”. There are no major cities less than two hours from Eau Claire in any direction. This makes it difficult for outside talent to come to seek venues and opportunities in Eau Claire. Eau Claire acts as a microcosm where musicians interact and work together to find employment and venues to play within their own county limits.

I had a chance to interview local musician Noah Reedy. Reedy is a founding member of a local Jazz band called Scoop. Scoop originated from a handful of UW - Eau Claire music students who met at local jam sessions.

Local musicians have built up a network of active moonlighting musicians. This network helps alleviate any scheduling conflicts that might occur with local musicians. Reedy told me about the process that goes into filling missing spots in a gig: “There is one good guitar player in Eau Claire, and when she can’t make it I ask her if she knows anyone… if she does I'll hire them for the gig instead”. A band can fall back on other friends and acquaintances who can play the same music or improvise enough to make it through.

With the local university constantly pumping out new students of the craft, the music circuit in Eau Claire seems self sustainable. Sustainable to a point where local musicians do not have to worry about moving into other areas just to look for employment.

When I was thinking of ways to describe Eau Claire I felt as if I could not do it justice. It's funny how a handful of months and the right people impact you in the ways they do. What is it about these particular people and shared experiences that evoke such emotion? I could never speak down on the people that live in Eau Claire, never in a million years. I just wish things could have gone right a different way. A town filled with as much culture as there are soulful people. The only issue with this city is that not enough people know about it . If I only had one thing to say for the people of eau claire I would say this. When people try to joke about “eau where?” you look them right in the eye and tell them exactly where they are, and why they should come back next time.