Music has an unmatched ability to heal, inspire, and completely change the trajectory of a life. But there’s a giant, expensive roadblock keeping too many from experiencing the transformation that happens through music. Stepping into a professional recording studio is a dream most aspiring creators never get to realize because of prohibitive costs and a fundamental lack of access. That is why our GoFundMe is officially live, and why the MonsterPlex nonprofit music bus will eventually hit the road to bust through those roadblocks, Kool-Aid man style.

Who’s driving the MonsterPlex nonprofit music bus?

Please allow me to introduce myself. My stage name is Burlimonster (Joshua Carr, legally). Music means everything to me. I’ve spent decades in music — singing, playing all the instruments, composing, and producing — and have thousands of hours inside recording studios, both professional and self-built. Most recently, I built a micro-studio inside an off-grid RV while traveling the country with my family. After settling down in the Bloomington-Normal community and watching School of Rock for the umpteenth time, a much bigger, much wilder idea took hold.

What if I didn’t just build a studio? What if I could help others by starting a mobile music movement?

Please welcome to the stage, MonsterPlex — an upcoming nonprofit dedicated to bringing music to everyone, in a bus. This isn’t just a dream; this is my new reality. I’ve left my corporate career in the rearview mirror in order to make this happen. Thanks to some very generous early donors, I’m actively scouring the internet for the perfect bus that will become our vehicle/studio that empowers creators.

We’ll be transforming the MonsterPlex nonprofit music bus into a state-of-the-art, dual-purpose, mobile recording studio and live performance stage. When you eventually see our bus rolling into a neighborhood center or a school parking lot, you won’t see a bus. You’ll see a vehicle dedicated to opening doors, building confidence, and empowering the next generation of creators. At our venue, there’s no cover charge.

What happens inside (and outside) the bus?

We aren’t just tossing a microphone in the back seat. To make this a sanctuary for sound, we’re planning a massive conversion with off-grid power, solar, all the insulation, acoustic treatments, and beautiful finishes on the inside. It will feature a cutting-edge studio packed with recording gear, studio reference monitors, and walls lined with instruments. We’ll also have enough room to bring a live stage setup with all the lights and sound.

With the setup we’re building, we’ll be able to host vocal and instrument workshops, community jam sessions, open mic nights, and audio tech training. We will even record podcasts highlighting local artists and livestream our community showcases to the world. Whether our monsters want to learn how to mix a soaring pop-rock anthem, nail an epic chord progression, or just bang on some drums, the MonsterPlex bus is their studio and stage.

Why a nonprofit music bus?

You might be wondering: why does it have to be a bus? Why wouldn’t MonsterPlex just rent a storefront and open a traditional studio? Simply, a traditional studio, even if it’s nonprofit, would only serve a single community. People would still need to find a way to get there. Transportation is a massive, often overlooked barrier for the exact communities we want to serve. By putting the studio on wheels, we completely change the tune. If a neighborhood or a school doesn’t have a music program, we just put it in drive and bring the gear directly to them. We aren’t asking people to find us. The MonsterPlex nonprofit music bus allows us to meet aspiring musicians anywhere.

What’s in a name?

For over a decade, I’ve used “monster” as an endearing term for my family and friends. In the music industry, a “monster” signifies a truly exceptional artist or a massive hit song. MonsterPlex exists to empower those exceptional qualities in people who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance. The word “plex” simply means multiple — a group, a collective, a community. Our motto says it all: “No Grr. Just Prr.” We are here to create a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive environment. When we say music is for everyone, we mean everyone.

We cannot build this without you.

Taking a giant school bus and turning it into a rolling beacon of creativity takes more than just one person’s effort. It takes a community. Early donations via GoFundMe will go directly toward purchasing the bus, securing building materials, finding a workspace in the Bloomington-Normal area, and officially launching the nonprofit. Eventually, we’re hoping to secure corporate sponsorships to keep the engine running, the gear upgraded, and all the events free to the communities we visit. Any donations we receive that go beyond our operating costs will be given directly to the communities that we support. We would love nothing more than to be able to give away instruments, fund school music programs, and host more events! If you have the means to make that happen, we will absolutely make sure every donation makes music more accessible for everyone. 

Every single dollar takes this bus another mile down the road. If this mission speaks to you, please donate and share this post. If you’re local to BloNo, please reach out to get involved with the build. Even if you’re not local, we still have plenty of opportunities for you help — get in touch!

Let’s make a beautiful noise together. We’re building the stage. Grab a mic or your instrument of choice and get ready to rock!