OFF THE DEEP END. Helm's Deep, a newer house venue led by UW-Stout Polytechnic students in Menomonie, will return for its first fall semester show on Sept. 4. Like many other house venues in the region, you can get more info and an invite by DMing the Helm's Deep social media accounts.

The latest and greatest DIY-style music venue to sprout in the Chippewa Valley calls none other than the depths of UW-Stout Polytechnic’s student housing circuit home.

That music venue’s name? Helm’s Deep.

I thought I knew where the venue got its name from, but then I Googled it. Apparently, it’s a Lord of the Rings reference.

According to the official Helm’s Deep Wikipedia page (not the venue), Helm’s Deep is a “crucial fortress and narrow gorge in Rohan from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.”

The newish venue, in many ways, is also just as crucial; it currently serves as one of the only places in Menomonie hosting independent music regularly. Spaces like these in the Chippewa Valley are a great place to meet fellow musicians and become exposed to new music.

Helm’s Deep will host its first show of the semester on Friday, Sept. 4 with central Wisconsin pop-punk outfit Miss Used, rock outfit Candysweet from La Crosse, and Stopping Short, also from La Crosse. Helm’s Deep plans to reveal more events as the semester continues. 

Helm’s Deep, like many other house venues, is a “DM for address” only venue (you can message them on Instagram @the_helmsdeep). Online, you'll find a set of house rules, upcoming shows and highlights from past shows the venue has hosted.

Making my way through the house venue’s garage near the Red Cedar River this past April for a show (I guess you could say it was narrow too), I was greeted by an eager scene of students, musicians and community members.

I spoke with UW-Stout Polytechnic student and showrunner Logan Boettcher – the brains behind Helm’s Deep. Here is what he had to say about the venue’s humble beginnings and differences between Eau Claire and Menomonie’s live music scenes.

SB: “How did Helm’s Deep start?”

LB: “Well, I’m going to be perfectly honest. I copied Graham Jams *chuckles* – Graham Jams in Eau Claire is something that I look up to and I aspire to be (like).”

“At least in Eau Claire, there’s bars that have music, there is nothing in Menomonie. I saw a market — and I really aspire to be them (Graham Jams) (with the) planning and everything. I obviously don’t have all the stuff that they do, but it’s really good to be out here doing stuff like that.”

SB: “What are some of the challenges you’ve run into while running a venue?”

LB: “It’s hard to start out when you don’t know what you’re doing. Especially when there’s things that you oversee like ‘What if XYZ happens and we need to help’ or ‘What if a band cancels on you?’ It’s kinda hard to pivot on that, but it can be done. There are so many things that need to be done. It’s hard for one person to do it, and I’m not the only one that does it.”

SB: “Who else helps you run Helm’s Deep?”

LB: “My roommates help me tremendously. All of them help in one way or another. They’ve been a blast to work with, they’re all helpful.”

SB: “How long do you plan to run Helm’s Deep for bands or fans looking to come here in the future?”

LB: “Helm’s Deep will be run at least through the next year and most likely the year after that.”

SB: “What are you looking forward to the most about running Helm’s Deep in the future?”

LB: “I like that I know what I’m doing now. But it’s a lot easier to expand upon what you have as a base, when you know what you’re doing.”

Originally published by EC PUNX, a local independent music zine and online newsletter, this article has been lightly edited for publication in Volume One. Locals can message the venue on Instagram (@the_helmsdeep) to learn more and see upcoming shows at the house venue.