Sanders said the club has always been about connecting musicians and creating a space for bands, especially alternative groups, to flourish.
“Release Radar’s main purpose was to network people, and to be the main bridge between venues and musicians,” Sanders said.
The current vice president of the club, Lucas Cardenas, said he has made some of the best relationships and connections in his time in Stillwater through Release Radar.
“I came because I knew it was a safe place for musicians, and really just alternative people to greet and gather,” Cardenas said.
Since the club’s conception, the music scene in Stillwater has changed dramatically. Bee McAdoo, bassist and vocalist for Ugly Cowboys, said he’s witnessed the growth of non-country music.
“I’ve been here for the past seven years, and it went from essentially just (a) Red Dirt scene to a very diverse set of bands that play here,” McAdoo said.
There’s no question Stillwater has seen an uptick in alternative music over the past several years. For Sanders, the Bait Shop is what the scene has been desperately needing.
“There was a renaissance of music in Stillwater, and that’s why I’m so glad that we’re here at this venue is because we’ve been missing a great venue,” Sanders said.
When Wintle discovered the rising scene here, he knew he wanted to help the groups thrive in any way he could.
“I’m so glad we found each other,” Wintle said. “I stumbled across Release Radar OSU on Instagram, and I was like, ‘I don’t want to be the weird gray haired, 39-year-old creepy guy and be like, Hey y’all can I come by a meeting and say hi,’ and I didn’t. I don’t remember how we got connected, but we did, and I was like, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’”
Whether through venues or new music being made every day, everyone at Release Radar Fest would agree that music is changing in Stillwater. Maybe nobody is more excited for the future of it all than Wintle.
“I didn’t know this was happening, like I didn’t know all these bands existed here,” Wintle said. “It’s a revolution dude, and they didn’t have any place to call home, and now the Bait Shop is OSU music’s and the college kids’ home.”