BackBeat Detroit, a music-equipment retail pop-up, may arrive in downtown as soon as spring of 2014.
Now two years in the making, BackBeat Detroit looks to serve the music equipment and supply needs of musicians in the city of Detroit while promoting Detroit-made products. The “music convenience store” will carry accessories, such as strings, reeds, cables and guitar pedals, in addition to a stock of guitars, amps, drums and electronic music components.
BackBeat’s founder, 24-year-old Noah Kaminsky, is a 19-year musician with experience playing piano, drums, guitar, bass and cello. The University of Michigan graduate has contributed to the construction of Slow’s Bar-B-Q’s expansion, Ponyride non-profit and the MTV offices in the Renaissance Center: all incorporating the use of reclaimed wood from neglected Detroit structures.
Photo: Viranel Clerard | Detroit Music Magazine
His latest venture has led him to several small-business incubators, investors and creative communities: including Detroit SOUP, TechTown and Dhive Detroit’s business development training. Kaminsky has raised funding, as well as gained the support of music-related business owners and musicians who are excited by the notion of a Detroit music shop.
In addition to music retail, BackBeat Detroit will offer consignment and repair services for Detroit musicians. The store’s in-house repair will cater to musicians who value the personable experience of a small-end music shop, and the custom-care provided for each instrument.
“I don’t like the dehumanizing process they have for repair,” Kaminsky said of big-chain music stores. “Especially with instruments that are really important to people. We’re not going to charge you before we even touch [your instrument]. We will only charge for parts and labor, which will either be done by on-site repair people, or by those working out of their own studio space nearby. If you’re curious – you can check up on it.”
BackBeat hopes to open a pop-up location downtown by spring/early-summer 2014. The shop will be encouraging the input of local musicians and making adjustments to prepare for a permanent location.
Photo: Viranel Clerard | Detroit Music Magazine
“I want to open in downtown or midtown,” Kaminsky said. “Mostly because of the area’s universal accessibility to all Detroiters, and also it’s walk-ability. It’s going to be trial and error, but it’s also going to be an ongoing process of data intake.”
Detroiters can look forward to custom-repair, a wide variety of multi-genre accessories and Detroit-made products, including drums from Detroit Custom Drum Co. and guitars made from reclaimed wood from neglected homes within the city. BackBeat Detroit hopes to open the doors for musicians looking for music equipment and supplies within the city limits of Detroit.
“Crain’s [Detroit] Business found that Detroit-area music business did about $1.15 billion in 2012,” Kaminsky said.
“Not a single dollar of that is from music equipment retail sales in the city, because nothing exists… not because there is a lack of demand.”
Contact BackBeat Detroit via Facebook