When Jeb Banner, founder of Musical Family Tree, asks people to name their favourite Indiana musicians, responses often default to John Mellencamp or Michael Jackson, with perhaps a mention of a cover band. Banner notes there is a general lack of awareness of Indiana’s thriving local music scene, especially the original, modern acts that are making waves. Musical Family Tree aims to change that.
Since its inception, the nonprofit organisation has digitised over 100,000 recordings, making them available to the public for free while also providing performance opportunities for local musicians. Banner takes pride in helping to showcase music that reflects Indiana’s unique culture and ecosystem.
The origins of Musical Family Tree trace back to Bloomington’s 1990s rock scene. After working at the now-closed Second Story Nightclub and recording live performances, Banner amassed a substantial collection of music. In 2004, he decided to share it with the world by creating a website called musicalfamilytree.org. The site quickly grew as Bloomington musicians began sending in their own recordings.
Today, Musical Family Tree is a fully established nonprofit, now partnered with the Monroe County Public Library to reach an even larger audience. The online archive houses over 1,700 recordings from Indiana artists and bands, which are searchable by name, genre, and city. Importantly, the platform is artist-controlled, ensuring musicians retain ownership of their work.
Kati Taylor, an independent arts strategist, serves as a Board Observer for the project and notes that Musical Family Tree has expanded to represent all genres from across Indiana. “It really is local music everywhere for everyone,” she says, highlighting the diverse culture and people that make Indiana’s music scene so special.
For two decades, Musical Family Tree has supported live music events, including its first festival in Indianapolis in 2005. In recent years, the nonprofit has gained momentum, with local artists eager for more opportunities. It has also launched initiatives like the studio recording grant, which provides artists with access to professional studio space at Postal Recording.
Other projects include providing performance opportunities for women musicians during the WNBA All-Star series and setting up busking stations at Taylor Swift concerts in Indianapolis. The latest showcase event, held at The 808 in Indianapolis, featured a diverse range of local talent and underscored the platform’s mission to promote local music to all ages.
Ultimately, Musical Family Tree is about more than just listening to music—it’s about inspiring people to create. “It’s a great joy to make music and to play for others,” Banner says. “We want to inspire people to pick up that guitar, write that song, and share it with the world.”
Key Initiatives:
- 100,000+ recordings digitised
- 1,700+ Indiana artists represented
- Studio Recording Grants: Five artists awarded access to professional studio space at Postal Recording
- Live Events: Supported performances at the WNBA All-Star series, Taylor Swift concert busking stations, and a showcase at The 808 in Indianapolis.
Musical Family Tree continues to be a driving force in the local music scene, ensuring Indiana’s rich musical heritage is shared with both locals and global audiences.