And when Mata gets to share his own lyrics and beats with others, he said music becomes even more enjoyable for him.

“It’s really cool to be able to write music for other people to listen to,” he said. “There’s nothing like playing live music on the stage — it gives you this crazy rush.”

While performing with his band Red Cedar Riot on Saturday night at The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing, along with five other acts, Mata, the group’s vocalist, said he felt this rush once again.

After battling against the other groups in this week’s 97.5 Home Town Rock Crown event, Mata’s band was announced the competition’s winner.

“It was crazy,” he said. “We had a good crowd, (and) they were really into the music. It was unreal.”
Red Cedar Riot is an East Lansing-based pop-punk band that formed in late 2011 and since has been performing throughout Michigan.

East Lansing resident Adam Chippewa, the group’s drummer, said the band’s sound is representative of mainstream pop-punk, and members take influence from acts such as Fall Out Boy, Boys Like Girls and All Time Low.

When performing their music, Chippewa said he and his bandmates strive to exude as much energy as possible to keep their audience members entertained.

“It’s all the mushy love stuff pretty much,” he said. “We just like to show that we like to have lots of fun and try causing a riot to go with the name.”

Nick Fulara, who claims his musical style is much different from that of his bandmates, said he hopes the diversity he brings to the group will transform its sound as well as influence other pop-punk acts.

“I think me bringing my mainstream-rock attitude is going to be a big enhancement to the music for the pop-punk scene because it’s not something they’re used to,” he said. “I’m going to twist things up a bit and take it to another level.”

Fulara, a senior at Lansing Community College who joined Red Cedar Riot as the band’s lead guitarist just more than a week ago, had to learn several new songs within this short time period in order to be prepared to perform at Saturday’s event.

Although it was a difficult process, Fulara said it was beneficial to him as a musician, and he has enjoyed his time with the band so far.

“It’s very stressful, but it has been fun in its own way,” he said. “The challenge really pushes you to your limits but it brings out the best in you.”

Fulara said even though he has not spent much time with the band, and he joined on somewhat of a whim, he plans to stay with the group and looks forward to working on an album and producing more music with its members.

“The thought of getting into the studio someday with these guys is going to be pretty sweet,” he said.

Although members of Red Cedar Riot currently are working hard to release their first EP, which will have about five or six songs, they have no set plans to tour, and Mata said everyone’s main focus is to continue to play their music without getting too serious.

“We’re just trying to have fun playing music,” he said. “If something more could come of it, that’d be awesome.”