Sean Baker performs with his band on stage at The Clubhouse.
Local musician Sean Baker, of Sean Baker's Recycled Stardust, is very well-versed in local open mics. Photo: Emily Sorensen.
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Sean Baker’s Open Mic Manifesto

By
November 25, 2024

Community

If you ask the average person to describe an open mic night, the most likely description you’ll get is a cringey scene of a sad boy in a coffee shop playing an acoustic guitar, singing about a girl who left him, or an overconfident stand-up comedian completely unaware that he is bombing. Sean Baker, frontman of Sean Baker’s Recycled Stardust, wants to let you know that there is more to this niche scene than what the mainstream portrayals would have you believe. To him, open mics are community—they are an outlet for new artists to practice and hone their skills. 

Hailing from California, Baker began his musical journey at a Java Joe’s in Temecula at the age of 15. He wasn’t excited at first, but seeing the audience and meeting other performers made him fall in love with open mics. Much of his music is inspired by the audiences and conversations at these events, like his song “Break a Leg”—a love letter to open mics. Baker says, “There are songs that exist now because I inspired somebody else with some words from a conversation or joking around. And now a song exists because of our connection [that] started at open mics … I see inspiration inspiring inspiration inspiring inspiration.” 

Sean Baker sings and plays guitar on stage at an open mic at The Clubhouse.
Sean Baker finds inspiration in the diverse performances at local open mics. Photo: Emily Sorensen.

He describes the open mic scene here in Salt Lake as having some of the most skilled and talented people he has ever seen. It is also a place with more options and opportunities within a smaller radius, so you can find a talented new artist just about anywhere. It is so full of opportunities that artists travel from out of state just to perform here. In terms of standout local artists, he mentions Brother Nielsen, whom Baker says has some of the most haunting vocals he has ever heard, the viral comedic YouTuber and musician Cera Gibson and Mel Soul, whom he describes as one of the hardest working people in the scene. According to Baker, she once did five shows in a day. That’s dedication. And the list goes on and on, from comedians and magicians to poets and even jugglers. The open mic scene is an ever-revolving door of new and returning performances. It is because of that dynamic that strong connections are made. With his job and musical endeavors, Baker keeps a packed schedule, but the community he has fostered through open mics keeps him coming back week after week. He says, “I feel that the weeks I don’t go, I’m more tired … the open mics fill me back up.” He compares the experience of going to open mics to attending church because it can shape a community of people in profound ways, only instead of worshiping an invisible man in the sky, the people are here to enjoy art. 

One of Baker’s current projects is a new open mic event at Fellowship Hall, which takes place on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Fellowship Hall is a clean and sober community center where 12-step meetings and related events are often held. Baker felt it was important to create an open mic night that skewed away from drinking culture and created a more fun atmosphere for a community of people trying to stay sober. David Vasquez, the manager of Fellowship Hall, sees this as an exciting opportunity for all the people in recovery as a way to bring a sense of normalcy back into their lives.

When I ask what makes a good open mic, Baker says, “A welcoming supportive host, an attentive encouraging audience and a space that welcomes these types of events.” He believes that all three of these factors work together to create the optimal open-mic experience. The host keeps the show moving in the right direction, while the audience gives the energy and the venue dictates the energy depending on how welcoming and safe it is. Some venues on his list include Greenhouse Effect, Tailgate Tavern, Grounds for Coffee, Alliance Theater (great for newcomers), The Clubhouse, Fountain Records, Java Junkie and so many more.

Sean Baker performs vocals and guitar with a backup violinist.
Sean Baker never underestimates the importance of an engaged, supportive audience at local open mics. Photo: Emily Sorensen.

Baker also puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of being a good audience member. To him, a good audience member is someone supportive, attentive, open-minded and generous. These are all important because the entire purpose of open mics is to be an outlet for creatives, and as such, these performers show an extreme amount of vulnerability. Therefore, the audience should respond in turn. Audience participation is a unique quality of open mics. Baker talks about an upcoming song he has performed a few times, called “Knock, Knock.” The gimmick of the song is that it is, of course, a knock-knock joke, so it requires the audience to respond, “Who’s there?” Baker had to explain it the first few times, but eventually it got to the point where that wasn’t necessary, as returning audience members would get the ball rolling. “One of the most visceral experiences as a songwriter going to open mics is that one day you’re singing a song that you’ve been playing at this open mic for many months and you see people in the audience singing along,” Baker says. ”When you see your words coming out of someone else’s mouth, there’s nothing quite like that.”

According to Baker, the Salt Lake open mic community has grown and become more solid, but there is still work to be done. For example, Baker feels that open mics are still very underground, which is why he has created a list of open mics he knows about here in Utah. He likes to pass around the list to newcomers, making them promise to in turn pass it on to any newcomers they run into. He feels that guidance from more seasoned peers was lacking during his early days. His goal is to one day create a national registry that has up-to-date times and locations for open mics so more people come—with more people comes more variety in performances. Baker talks about how audiences get more excited when a new type of performance comes around. He describes one performance that involved a pianist and two interpretive dancers. It is those small tweaks that keep open mics exciting and fresh. 

It wouldn’t hurt to have more unconventional performers like storytellers, improv troupes and even sculptors to do some show and tell. At the end of the day, open mics are all about expression, community, connection and conversation. If you want to know more about open mics in Salt Lake, check out Sean Baker’s Instagram at @seanbakermusic, or be lucky enough to run into him at the next open mic you go to. Read on for Baker’s compiled list of recommended local open mics to find your next artsy evening activity. 

Sean Baker’s Guide to Local Open Mics

Sundays

Mondays

Tuesdays

  • Clubhouse on South Temple |  850 E S Temple St, Salt Lake City | 7:00 p.m. | $15 cover or two for $20 | All ages
  • Boomerang’s Down Under Bar | 1306 Woodland Ave, Salt Lake City | 7:00 p.m. | 21+
  • Pat’s BBQ | 155 W Commonwealth Ave, Salt Lake City | 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | All ages
  • Coterie | 69 Gallivan Ave, Salt Lake City | Sign ups at 7:30 p.m. | 21+
  • Others and Allies at Mosaics |  1700 N State St #16, Provo | Second and fourth Tuesday | 7:30 p.m. | All ages

Wednesdays

  • Fellowship Hall | 2060 South, Windsor St, Salt Lake City | First and third Wednesday | Sign ups at 8:00 p.m. | All ages
  • Velour Live Music Gallery | 135 N University Ave, Provo |  8:00 p.m. | Early sign ups; get there between 6:30 and 7:00 to get in line | All ages
  • Level Crossing Brewery | 2496 South West Temple St. South Salt Lake | Sign ups at 6:30 p.m. | 21+

Thursdays

  • Kamikazes | 2404 Adams Ave, Ogden | 6:00 p.m. | 21+
  • Jazz Jam at FOUNTAIN Records | 202 E 500 S, Salt Lake City | 7:00 p.m. | 21+

Fridays

  • Java Junkie | 16 W Center St, Provo | 7:00 p.m. | All ages
  • Music & Mystics at Shades Brewing | 54 W Utopia Ave, South Salt Lake | 7:00 p.m. | Every other Friday; call to find out when they have the music mic | 21+
  • Originals only at Sugarhouse Coffee |2011 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City | Every second Friday | 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | All ages

Saturdays

  • High Point Coffee | 1735 W 7800 S, West Jordan | 6:00 p.m. | All ages
  • Bountiful Open Mic (underground, below Royal India) | 55 North Main Street Suite C, Bountiful | 8:00 p.m. | All ages

Read more about Sean Baker:
Localized: Sean Baker’s Recycled Stardust
Local Review: Sean Baker – The Purple House