Local band Mulberry works toward bigger goals through Muncie music scene

By Robert Segovia

Lame Brain Productions is a music production company with a team of Ball State students looking to help bring local bands to the forefront of Muncie’s music scene.

They help to provide musicians with live sound design, photography, videography and booking gigs at venues around town.

Mulberry takes the stage at Be Here Now with bassist Carly Stults (left), singer-songwriter Jacob Melton (front), drummer Michael Tait (center, back) and lead guitarist, Josh Ford (right). Robert Segovia/IPR

Mulberry is one of the bands making waves in the community after their debut at The Sauna in October.

Singer-songwriter Jacob Melton enlisted high school friend and drummer, Michael

Tait, girlfriend and bassist Carly Stults, and her coworker at The Cup, guitarist Josh Ford.

Mulberry had the opportunity to play shows at The Sauna, Be Here Now, and most recently, an appearance at The Bat Cave. These locations, though small, offer up a unique playing

experience.

“I mean like, ideally, like, we’d get to play more actual venues just because, I don’t know. They just feel more public,” Melton said. “The local house show seems very cool, very supportive.”

The band’s post-punk, psychedelic sound takes inspiration from Australian rock musicians.

“Nick Cave is the big one, specifically The Birthday Party,” Melton said. “That’s kind of where we align more, but, I don’t know, there are influences that come from, like, everywhere, you know? I like Indie rock.”

Other inspirational artists for the group include Courtney Barnett and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.

Melton said that meeting different people who share in his love for the craft and understand his artistic vision make the experience worth it.

“I mean everyone’s super nice, man,” Melton said. “And sometimes I feel bad because we’re all like, the four of us are pretty introverted and so, like, we feel like we’re being antisocial.”

Mulberry may also be getting the chance to get in the recording booth.

“Hopefully sometime in the next month we would be able to record because we’ve been in touch with some people,” Melton said. “We’re trying to put something together just to put on the internet.”

The band is working on original music, as well.

“As far as new stuff, there’s the Spaghetti Western influenced one,” Stults said.

Mulberry wants to work their way towards bigger goals and venues as they gather the support of friends and fans through local house shows.