North Texas Daily

Hannah Ridings | Visuals Editor

Muffled music and the clanking of beer bottles can be heard outside the dimly lit porch in front of an old, white house.

In the basement of the house, musicians meet up to share their sound and passion with strangers who quickly become friends. This basement and many others, like Lion’s Den, Macaroni Island and Gatsby’s Mansion, are not only a stage for Denton bands, but for some as far as Australia.

“It was just the obvious thing to do,” Michael Briggs of Macaroni Island said. “This house was just situated to host shows.”

The Denton house-show scene has been growing rapidly since 2012 when Macaroni Island and Lion’s Den both opened their doors.

The two have become staples in Denton by having an open door policy, meaning all ages are welcome, for free.

“For me it’s living a childhood dream having all these bands I’ve been following since middle school play in my house and getting to share that with my friends,” radio broadcast senior Gabrien Hardeman of Lion’s Den said.

Though these entrepreneurs of the underground music scene operate as non-profits, they will often pass around a donation jar during shows.

“The house is our home,” anthropology senior Dylan Catherman said. “We live in it but the Lion’s Den, that’s Denton’s.”

The men of the Lion’s Den. From left to right: Tommy Davis, Gabrien Hardeman, Dylan Catherman, Jordan Lawrence, Cahnce Conover and Chaplin the dog.

All three houses operate a Facebook page that has lent a helping hand in gaining more exposure.

Even with a technology-driven culture consuming most college-aged kids today, the houses have not forgotten their roots, and its hosts take enjoyment in creating and posting their own flyers for shows.

Accompanied by a little fun, a lot of beer and more than enough music, Denton’s growing house-show scene has no end in sight, Catherman said.

“I would be shocked if you looked into the future and we still weren’t throwing shows,” said Tommy Davis, criminal justice senior and the oldest tenant of Lion’s Den.

The houses of Denton offer a diverse bill of genres and enthusiasts but one thing is certain: music really does bring the people together.

“Going to house shows brought me closer to finding actual friends, no, family,” English junior Jordan Lawrence of the Lion’s Den said. “Expect a dirty basement and to sweat a lot, but you’re going to smile.”

Featured Image: The band “Author” rocks out in the basement of the Lion’s Den. The house is located at 612 N. Austin Street, in between Quakertown Park and N. Locust Street. Hannah Ridings | Visuals Editor