MC Lars said that all he wanted was for an independent record label to dig what he was doing.
"I just wanted a small label to put my music out," he said by phone from San Luis Obispo, Calif. "I wanted to see if I could release a project that I did in my dorm room."
The dorm room is where MC Lars (born Lars Horris) started his lo-fi emceeing as a student at Stanford. "I had all these ideas of how I wanted to do music," MC Lars said. "Then I studied abroad at Oxford, and that's where I found that some people really liked my music."
Upon re-entering the United States, MC Lars returned to Stanford and met Atom Goren (who goes by the name Atom and His Package). Goren is a lo-fi emcee who uses only a sequencer and a microphone. "Atom taught me that you don't need a big band to make some great music. You just have to want to do it. He really taught me a lot of the do-it-on-your-own mentality and how you shouldn't let the music business lead you. You have to lead the music business."
MC Lars began using his own laptop to make his music, and after finding the right equipment, he recorded tracks that would eventually become known as "The Laptop EP." Although some of his songs are filled with humor, MC Lars said he takes his songwriting seriously. "That's one of the hardest things about what I'm doing. I have a hard time convincing people that I'm not a novelty act.
"It's true that my first musical influence was 'Weird Al' Yankovic. But while he's funny, he is technically a great musician and songwriter. I have messages and things I want to say, and I want people to take me seriously."
Another musical influence in MC Lars' life is Beck. "Beck showed us all how good lo-fi mixes can sound great. Even when his stuff is slicked up and produced, he has remained true to his vision."
Although MC Lars has a backup band — Damondrick Jack on an additional laptop sequencer and PJ McCombs on bass — he said the Salt Lake concert will be a solo act. "It will be just me and my laptop. I hope it sounds OK."
MTV recently featured MC Lars in a news story, and Rolling Stone magazine introduced him as one of the music scene's "New Faces." "It was strange hearing (MTV's) Kurt Loder talking about my college plans. I'm enjoying the mentions and recognitions, but I'm a little nervous at the same time. The more people who hear my music, the more polarized I become. There are a lot of people who like my music. And there are a lot of people who hate it. So I'm just taking it as it comes."
THE RIDDLIN' KIDS' guitarist-vocalist Dustin Stroud says the band is trying to add some energy to its live shows, as it is knee-deep in touring for the new album "Stop the World." Besides Stroud, the group includes vocalist-guitarist Clint Baker, bassist Mark Johnson and drummer Dave Keel.
"We basically recorded the album in about two years and then went right on the road for the tour," Stroud said by phone from Anaheim, Calif. "So we haven't had a lot of time to rehearse the stage show. We're just now working on things on and off in our sound checks."
Stroud said that being on tour with Bowling for Soup, American Hi-Fi and MC Lars has been great. "It's like we're all brothers. Everyone is so laid-back."
And he's looking forward to coming back to Utah. "First off, my girlfriend lives there," Stroud said. "And secondly, the first show I saw in Utah was at In the Venue (where his band will play Wednesday).
"It's just a great vibe there, and I've got a lot of friends that I haven't seen in a while."
If you go
What: Bowling for Soup, Riddlin' Kids, American Hi-Fi, MC Lars
Where: In the Venue
When: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
How much: $13.50
Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
E-mail: scott@desnews.com