HYPE AND HEART. Andy Immerman, pictured above, will headline a pre-party to the inaugural Force Fields Festival in Cadott, Wisconsin. Hosted by ECedm, this event will feature electronic dance music by three artists with local ties. (Photo by AJ Canaria)

Hometown sound waves will soon make their return to Galloway Street, with the promise of an incredible display of the pulsing mantra beloved by the electric dance music (EDM) crowd.

ECedm regularly organizes and hosts public EDM events throughout the Eau Claire area, as described on their social media pages. Coming up next, ECedm — in partnership with the Force Fields Festival — will welcome a collection of performers at the Force Fields Pre-Party.

Beginning at 9pm on Saturday, May 31, at The 410 Bar (420 Galloway St., Eau Claire), Eau Claire native Andy Immerman will headline the party, performing alongside area favorites Nolephant, Doktor, and Mr. Myriad, among others. Entry is $15/person for those 21+.

Immerman, an electronic musician and DJ, found success through performing, mixing, and mastering music for other artists. Despite his move to Colorado in 2010, Eau Claire remains central to his musical career and network.

“There’s a kind of honesty in the Midwest music scene — it’s not about hype, it’s about heart."

Andy immerman

electronic musician

“There’s a kind of honesty in the Midwest music scene — it’s not about hype, it’s about heart. That mindset (has) stayed with me,” Immerman said.

Immerman's musical journey began in Eau Claire — playing in basements, on self-built computers, and at do-it-yourself shows “where the passion far outweighed the production,” he shared. Reflecting on his return to Eau Claire after years of performing at large national festivals and venues like Red Rocks, Immerman described it as a full-circle moment.

“There’s something sacred about returning to the place that first gave you permission to dream,” Immerman said. “Sharing the kind of music that once inspired me to move away, with a scene that’s now blossoming right here, feels deeply meaningful.”

Fans of Immerman’s work may recognize his contributions as assistant engineer on Bon Iver’s Grammy-winning 2011 sophomore album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver. Prior to this collaboration, Immerman studied at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a place where electronic music and the development of individual artistic voices were deeply embedded.

These origin stories taught Immerman the importance of intentionality through sound — with an emphasis on emotional depth rather than fleeting trends. The city also invigorated a permanent sense of curiosity, where the exploration of new genres was encouraged and opened a gateway to unconventional sources of inspiration.

"Without big industry infrastructure in smaller cities, grassroots collectives like ecedm and force fields are the ones building the future."

ANDY IMMERMAN

ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN

Today, Immerman has released a series of singles and now develops music with a darker dance-oriented sound, grounded in emotive melodies. His 2024 release, "Drift Away Feat. Taylor Plasz," previews this evolving sound and how far the artist has come in his career.

The track emphasizes stripping back to the essentials, with "a faint hint of synth and a big, driving beat," as described on Bandcamp. Notably, Immerman performed alongside Bob Moses and Ben Bohmer in 2023 at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

Event poster, ECedm presents 'A Force Fields Pre-Party'.

Invited by ECedm this year to revisit his Midwest roots, Immerman expressed ongoing admiration for the groups' focus on community, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to the music.

“I’ve been watching ECedm build something really special in Eau Claire,” Immerman said. “Their dedication to growing the local scene and pushing electronic music forward here really resonated with me.”

His set will combine the melodic and emotional aspects of his existing music — with high-energy, club-oriented tracks, drawing inspiration from his Denver performances, he said. This event will act as a preview of his complete upcoming performance at the Force Fields Festival in Cadott on June 5.

“Without big industry infrastructure in smaller cities, grassroots collectives like ECedm and Force Fields are the ones building the future,” Immerman said. “They create space for discovery, for connection, and for artists to grow.”

Immerman's collaboration with ECedm and Force Fields demonstrates Eau Claire's emergence as a distinct musical force — beyond the city’s recognized indie-rock, folk, and bluegrass genres.

These creatives aren’t just putting Eau Claire on the map — they’re giving the city a new sound of its own.

For future event updates and announcements from Force Fields Festival and ECedm, visit their respective social media platforms online (@ECedm; @ForceFieldsFestival).