Last Tuesday night was a typical one in Lawrence. I got off work at 10:30 and drove through the blinking yellow lights. There was no traffic, so I parked right across from The Bottleneck.

As I walked in, I didn’t think it unusual that only 20 or 30 people were hanging around the bar or pool tables. But as I twirled and stomped to the soulful twang of Hoots and Hellmouth, I realized I was dancing solo.

I stopped to wonder, “Where the hell were all the music lovers?” I wanted more bodies in the room that night. I immediately wanted to tell everyone with self-imposed weeknight boredom that good music and a good time are easy to stumble upon.

Lawrence is known as an artsy city, specifically regarding music. The city boasts big music acts for such an medium-size town.

When people ask, “Why Kansas?” the local music scene is a perk that defends Kansas’ dull and traditional stereotype.

But even knee-deep in the bluesy howls of Sean Hoots and the crazed mandolin riffs of Rob Berliner, it is obvious that Lawrence’s music scene is lacking the attention it deserves.

Everyone likes listening to music, but we are getting lazy about it.

I’ve defended the use of iPods and cell phones, but music lovers should investigate the under-the-radar events at Replay Lounge on a Monday night or The Bottleneck on a Tuesday.

With our MTVs and TRLs and Rolling Stone magazines, it is easy to swallow the glorifying articles about our favorite popular bands and regurgitated lost love, singer/songwriter melodies crafted to fit radio waves.

The Internet makes it easy to get the singles we want, and downloading, legally or illegally, makes music available 24/7.

These are the perks of our generation, but they also keep us from going into the live arenas where music is being performed.

Attending concerts and supporting musicians can expose you to sounds you may have never thought you’d enjoy, and it promotes creativity and community among those who place music high in their lives.

Musicians cannot survive solely on the publicity of their MySpace pages.

Listeners have to get their asses out and support them if they like what they hear and if they want Lawrence to attract budding musicians.

Stop resorting to the recycling of sounds pumped through your stereo.

Lawrence has a lot of hidden gems, scenes and hangouts to discover, but seeing a concert by a local or small-time band merely requires skimming some of the myriad of posters on Massachusetts Street.

If you are a music lover, take advantage of the music in and coming through Lawrence.

Expand your horizons. Check out pipelineproductions.com to see what bands, both popular and not-as-mainstream, are coming to The Granada, The Bottleneck, Liberty Hall and Crossroads KC.

Oh!Mr. is a wonderful new online music magazine that reviews and interviews local bands. You can read about who you may or may not pay a cover to hear, and the magazine will send you updates about where to see local favorites.

The classics are a staple in any music collection, but it is easy to underestimate how shaking up the routine can inspire personal creativity.

Not to mention you could have a great time, see some new faces and who knows, maybe even hear your future favorite band.

Ryan is a Salina junior in art history.