Epitaph recording artists Motion City Soundtrack will perform Thursday night at Club 770 inside Union South, and the Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee is the organization behind the beat.
One of the oldest WUD groups, the Music Committee has booked a number of extremely popular acts over the years; guitar legend Jimi Hendrix performed at the Great Hall in 1968 and alternative rock giants The Smashing Pumpkins played for a mere $75 in 1991.
The committee, composed of approximately 100 student members, is responsible for planning and promoting music events held at Memorial Union and Union South.
UW-Madison junior Stacey Lansing, director of the WUD Music Committee, said members review hundreds of traditional and electronic press kits sent by local, regional and national acts. Members then choose an artist to pursue, contact artist management and pitch the idea at a weekly group meeting.
\Things that we consider are draw, diversity, quality of the music itself and price, because we're working on a budget,"" Lansing said.
The WUD Music Committee is funded in part by student segregated fees and proceeds from retail sales at the Wisconsin Union.
""Part of our goal in what we book is to bring in people to buy food and beer and everything at the Rathskeller because they fund us. So we're helping ourselves by helping them,"" Lansing said.
One of the most successful events in this regard was a terrace performance by area musician Pat McCurdy. The Union brought in over $30,000 largely in brat sales.
Although the WUD committee has presented many successful shows in the past, Lansing said disappointments are also part of the job. She said it is common for acts to end negotiations, often because venues in cities such as Milwaukee can offer more money.
""The music business is so touch-and-go. You have it one minute and then you don't,"" she said.
UW-Madison junior Chris May, associate director in charge of paid programs at the larger Union venues, said he would like to extend his music industry experience beyond college.
""I want to either be an agent or own a venue at some point in my life,"" May said.
According to WUD Music Advisor Natasha Kassulke, that dream may not be far-fetched.
""We've actually had several students who have gone on to find careers in the music industry even though they didn't come here to do that,"" Kassulke said.
Kassulke said though she is available to offer support and advice, the organization is definitely student-run.
""I think it's important that we have students programming for students because they are the ones who know what the students want to hear, and it's partly funded by their money,"" she said.
Kassulke said the Music Committee often works with other campus organizations, assisting them with planning events and negotiating contracts.
She also offered praise for the student committee.
""The students are brilliant. Half the time I don't even know the groups they're talking about. I've learned so much,"" she said.
