KEN BURGER: Getting a glimpse of the dream

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Crowfield is living the rock and roll dream, gigging at a recording studio one afternoon, playing hot spots on the weekend.

The Charleston-based band is about to debut its second album, "Crowfield," Saturday night at the Music Farm, a benchmark that most would consider a major rung on the ladder to success.

But if you ask lead singer Tyler Mechem and his bandmates if they've "made it," you'll get some shrugs and quizzical looks.

"I think you've made it in this business if you're doing what you love to do," said Mechem, 28, who along with Joe Giant moved to the Holy City six years ago from Indiana to start a band.

"If you're happy doing what you're doing, then I guess you've made it," Mechem said.

They all, however, still have day jobs.

On the road

"We've all got jobs giving piano lessons, or drum lessons, doing studio work, bagging groceries or making crepes," Mechem said of his other band members -- Parker Gins, Micah Nichols and Ethan Ricks. "Even with an album coming out, we can't quit our day jobs. That's what allows us to do this."

So for those out there dreaming of making it in the music business, these guys are a good example of what it takes.

It's been three years since the group decided to stop doing cover shows in local bars and produce their own music.

"We work on this stuff all the time," Mechem said as he and the band did a promotional set for The Bridge 105.5 FM at Charleston Sound, a local recording studio . "We're always working on new songs or promotions or opening acts."

And they've traveled all over the country, 30 states, looking for that break that could put them over the top.

Which brings us to the origin of the band's name.

On the radio

"We needed a van," Mechem said. "We found one in Goose Creek, but it had the words CROWFIELD CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT on the side. We tried to scrape the words off, but they wouldn't get them all off, so we just decided to take the name."

But it's been a long road for Crowfield.

"I remember when we were happy to play at the Blind Tiger," Mechem said. "Then we played at the Pour House, then we moved up to the Music Farm."

Getting on the radio is still huge in the music business, and this group and many others in the area appreciate the exposure The Bridge offers local bands.

"Social media is big these days," Mechem said, promoting the band's website www.crowfieldmusic.com. "But getting on the radio boosted our crowds from 30 to 900 when they started playing our music."

So, are they there yet?

"I'd say we get a glimpse of the dream about an hour a day," Mechem said.

"But then there are the other 23 hours of the day."

Reach Ken Burger at 937-5598 or on Twitter at @Ken_Burger.