Behind the house with Hannieisswag

By Chloe Rawlinson 

Local Music Journalist  

 After producing DIY shows at venues such as Private Park and Alchemy Records, San Marcos local, Hannah Fulkerson decided to open the doors to a more intimate venue for live music and vivacious times — her home. After sitting down and talking to Hannah about her experience, I’ve been able to pull back the curtain to expose the trials and tribulations of hosting a house show. 

“I wanted to do house shows because [I had] never been to one myself,” Fulkerson said. “I wanted to give the feel of a more intimate setting, rather than, ‘Oh look, here’s a huge venue.’ I also like having control of the entire thing because it’s my house, my rules.” 

Since moving into her house last year, Fulkerson has opened her doors to San Marcos music lovers twice, once in November for a friend’s birthday and another for New Years. She has no plans of stopping soon; plans for another show in February are already in the works. Mostly organized by herself and her friends, Fulkerson has fallen in love with the community she has been able to provide within the DIY music scene. 

With a turntable and speaker setup in her living room, Fulkerson books sets with local DJs, allowing a handful a night the chance to play for a crowd. She has also opened her backyard for those looking for a bit more space or some warmth from her fire pit. 

 “I love seeing everyone hang out in my living room. I’m glad that I built [an environment] safe enough for people to feel welcome in my own home. I really enjoy people gathering in one place, and the fact that it’s my house is [so rewarding,]” she said. “I have so much power, I can do whatever, but it’s so sweet meeting people in the comfort of my own home.”  

 Though, as she explains, the experience is mostly rewarding, Fulkerson has jumped over several hurdles to maintain a safe, respectful environment.within her house, especially because she struggles to find people to work the doors; everyone wants to be inside.  

 “I’ve had a lot of really crazy show experiences at Private Park and Alchemy, but I feel like working with venues, it’s really easy to divert from something crazy happening. Like at Alchemy, if there’s crazy moshing, that just easily fades in and out, but at my house, I think the craziest thing is crowd control and making sure you know who comes in and out,” she said.  

Crowd control has become a significant issue for Fulkerson’s shows, with the problems mostly revolving around a lack of respect for her friends and her space. 

 “We had some people sneak into my house and punch my roommate because she wouldn’t let them use her personal bathroom upstairs,” she said. “Other than that, someone stole my roommate’s Trader Joes lemonade out of my fridge, that sucked. People ripped off a piece of my fence or were just too rowdy and [broke it]. Nothing too bad has happened though.” 

 Because Fulkerson mostly promotes these shows by herself, she has an unconventional secret weapon: a meme page belonging to her and some friends. The meme page, called H**bag, is named using the first initial of its admins. It helps that the admins also happen to be some of the DJs performing. You can usually find Hannah herself and H**bag member Aiden Lara behind the decks.  

 “I love using a meme page as promotion. I think it is the funniest thing I’ve ever done. Yeah, follow @h**bagstudios on Instagram.” she said.  

 Due to her expertise in both hosting and attending house shows, Fulkerson has left some parting words and advice to those either looking to attend her house shows for the first time or returning friends.  

 “Be nice! I’m lucky enough to have [the platform] to do house shows. I’m lucky enough to have no noise ordinance, no HOA. I can do whatever I want, but that doesn’t mean you can. Just be respectful because it is someone else’s house that you’re going to at the end of the day. Just have fun, be nice, and don’t hit my roommate,” she said.  

 More information about Hannah’s house shows can be found on her Instagram @hannahfulkers0n.