Finding community through sound: how MPU helps student musicians

The Music Production Union (MPU) hosts weekly meetings and aims to be a welcoming space for those who share a passion for music production. 

Starting in 2014, MPU was known as a rap group. Slowly, they started to become a place for new and passionate songwriters who wanted to start bands in San Luis Obispo. 

City planning junior and MPU president Ethan Kellar explained why the club is unique. 

“We usually prioritize people that have never performed before, so they can get into the experience, the industry,” Kellar said. 

Kellar says that MPU creates a musical arts community that supports the creation of music. He added that they teach all types of music-related lessons.

“We do like bass workshops and songwriting workshops and all sorts of stuff,” Kellar said. 

Electrical engineering senior Ryan Marienthal has been a member of MPU ever since he was a freshman. 

“It’s really developed my entire interest for music,” Marienthal said. “Being around this community that I didn’t have growing up kinda really solidified something that is really important to me.”

He said that he gained a lot of hands-on experience during his years at MPU.

“Now, I have learned how to do live sound and throw concerts and run a recording studio and just met so many amazing people,” Marienthal said. “It has really been a way to delve into a passion of music completely but not be alone with it.” 

According to Marienthal, MPU is a learning institution that allows students to get involved early on. He hosted his first house show in his sophomore year. 

“I saw one hundred fifty people filling this backyard,” Marienthal said. “I put so much work, this is happening, one hundred something people are here. This is what it means to be a part of a community and bring people together. It was such a great one.”

More information is available on their Instagram @mpucalpoly.