Detroit's Flint Eastwood return to Mount Pleasant, Hunter's Ale House Saturday

Detroit indie/electronic band Flint Eastwood is set to return to Mount Pleasant Saturday at Hunter's Ale House, 4855 E. Bluegrass Road, alongside local bands Benthos and Delightfuls.

Their last performance in Mount Pleasant was a last-minute set during the first night of Midwest Fest in the fall of 2011.

The 18+ show, which begins at 9:30 p.m., will see Flint Eastwood perform free for audience members over 21-years-old, and only $2 for those between the ages 18 and 20.

Singer and guitarist Jax Anderson said the band's expectations were exceeded that night, although they had never played in Mount Pleasant before.

With influences ranging from spaghetti western film soundtracks and folk artists such as Joan Baez (although Anderson said they sound nothing like a folk band), Flint Eastwood has two goals.

"We like to make music that makes you want to dance and go crazy to where you can feel the intensity right off the bat, but music that you can also learn from when you give it a more solid listen," Anderson said.

Before settling on the name Flint Eastwood, the band was known as Power and obtained opening slots for artists such as T-Pain.

Flint Eastwood songs have been showcased in film (the 2012 indie flick "Renee") and television (their song "Can You Save Me?" is the theme for USA Network show "Covert Affairs").

Anderson said playing shows in smaller cities such as Mount Pleasant is important to the band.

"We've slowly been gaining momentum to where we can play a show in a smaller area and have some sort of a crowd make it's presence known, which gives us the feeling that all of the hard work, preparation, sweat and worry is all worth it," she said.

Corey Densmore, founder of Diamond in the Rough Promotions, said Flint Eastwood's set last fall went over well, despite the short-notice performance, and wanted to bring them back to Mount Pleasant.

"It's bringing in bands I listen to myself, mostly," Densmore said. "If other people really dig them too, that's the fun of it."

Densmore has upcoming shows booked with Michigan bands such as The Soil and the Sun, Bars of Gold and Mustard Plug for  Mount Pleasant venues Hunter's Ale House and Rubble's Bar, 112 W. Michigan Street.

Densmore said he's trying to bring back a focus to live music in Mount Pleasant.

"Dan Deacon and Xiu Xiu and The Appleseed Cast and Andrew Jackson Jihad have played in Mount Pleasant," he said. "People might not care now but, at the time, those shows drew crowds."

Benthos is one of those bands trying to make a new name for themselves and draw crowds.

The Mount Pleasant band's guitarist, Tim Barrett, a Novi junior, said attendees can expect an honest, energetic performance.

"Our band is not about deceiving an audience," Barrett said. "When I think we play a good show, it feels almost like a dream-state."

He said the mostly-instrumental band (they've since added singing to their music) has played at Hunter's Ale House in the past and is excited for the futures of their band and the local scene.

"When I first started going to shows here the 21+ rule was not in effect," he said, referring to the exclusively 21-and-over policy of Rubble's. "So, I could enjoy all the shows around town. I think Hunter's is the new place for bands on tour to come by, and it's turning into a legitimate venue"