Bringing it Together 2: The Name Says it All

By Paul Olson
Contributing Writer

Over the better part of the last decade, Lane Hoffer, better known as 701 Crew, has been doing what I and many others know him for: promoting a show or a heavy music festival. Currently, he’s bringing it together with “Bring It Together 2” including performances by In Defence, Enshrined, Australis, Reaping Asmodeia, Vendetta Spoken, If I Ran The Zoo, High Hopes, I Apparatus, Primae Noctis, Tea For Ruby, Reach For The Sky and It Came From The Sea on March 26 at The Post in Mandan.

An all age’s event, Bring It Together 2’s goal is to provide a platform to showcase some of the best independent acts in the region. The combination of bands paired with an affordable entry fee gives those attending the opportunity to discover what may possibly become tomorrow’s biggest talent for the ever-growing metal genre.

I first met Lane at a show, although I can’t remember where or when. If you’ve connected with the local or regional underground metal or hardcore scene in the last 10 years you’ve probably played one of Lane’s shows or you know someone who has been handed a show flyer, been invited on Facebook or seen a handbill for Grind Your Face Off or Bring It Together Fest. I played a couple of these shows and they’ve been good shows and a great way to connect with different music lovers from the central and western parts of the state. I’m sure they’ve also sparked fan bases for many touring acts.

I remember driving by the MSUM campus and seeing his show flyers stapled to light poles, under windshield wipers and on every bulletin board at every gas station and coffee shop. When Myspace was the hyped way of social networking, I remember all of the show bulletins. Lane worked hard and used every avenue to promote his shows…and promote well he did.  Now here I am, calling the old scenesters out, talking about how he started promoting music trends in North Dakota and his mission behind Bring It Together 2.

High Plains Reader: How long have you been promoting shows?

Lane Hoffer: I started in 2002. I’ve been involved in running shows since then.

HPR:  Do you remember your first show?

LH:  My first show was a band from France and had about 300 people out on a weekday, which was really cool.

HPR: Did you have a certain market you wanted to start booking and why?

LH:  I was booking mostly punk and hardcore. It seemed too different from what else what was going on and I was excited to experience working with local and touring bands and bands from different countries.

HPR: Since then, about how many shows have you thrown?

LH:  About 200.

HPR: What’s the biggest show you’ve had attendance wise?

LH:  Grind Your Face Off 5. I believe about 800 people paid over the course of the day.

HPR: What’s been your preferred method for turning those bigger numbers; online versus hitting the street with flyers?

LH:  I would say mainly sticking to flyers, but obviously Internet and Facebook are supplements.  They definitely help out, but I think having physical posters up gets the job done

HPR: What do you find to be the best part of promoting? What’s the perk for you?

LH:  Working with bands and creating relationships. There are people in bands that I see years later and remember an event I did for them. It’s more personal, making those lasting connections.

HPR: How have you seen the Bismarck and North Dakota scene change since you started promoting?

LH:  What I’ve seen as far as my experience is this: it goes up and down with the trends or its like fashion trends. Sometimes there are really high trends and also really low. It’s not as personal as it used to be either since things are always changing. The best way I could probably describe is it’s like the stock market.

HPR: Do you think the scenes used to be more united?

LH:  Yes and no, it’s kind of hard to say. I’m older, so I don’t have much of a connection to the younger kids. Kids now seem to be into their own thing, and I don’t know if people interact as much with each other anymore. It’s definitely different.

HPR: What’s your mission? What is the premise for the Bring It Together Fest?

LH:  The name objectifies the mission. It is trying to get everybody together in one place and also to bring the best of each genre from the region together for a good show.

HPR: How do you compare yourself as a promoter now versus 10 years ago?

LH:  I’m definitely older than I was and I consider myself more professional. I’ve gotten better with band interaction and with people in general. I’d say that’s the biggest difference.

HPR: Who would be your dream concert?

LH:  Converge.

As I talked to Lane I could hear the good intentions in his voice while talking about his past promotions and the excitement and calm confidence he has in his current endeavor “Bring It Together 2.” Take the time and/or make the drive to see the show and support North Dakota’s own Lane Hoffer/701 Crew.  It’s refreshing to see someone local in the music industry, which otherwise tends to be a very individualized every man for himself, who is trying to make a difference and “Bring It Together.”

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IF YOU GO:
What: Bring It Together 2
Where: The Post in Mandan, ND [located 2.5 miles south of Mandan, on highway 1806].
When: Sat. March 26, first act at 4 p.m., $10 at the door