When September to Remember IV stops at Piere’s on Saturday, Sept. 28, with eight bands on the bill, it will be the first time one of them has performed live.

Among the acts slated for the affair, which kicks off at 6 p.m. in the Main Room, will be Problem with Polly, Everroad, and Altered Eclipse out of Indianapolis; Downbad of Sandusky, Ohio; General 11 of Downriver, Michigan; Beware the Poster Kids of Paducah, Kentucky; and Fort Wayne’s own Antihero and Letters to Mercy, the latter of which will be making their debut.

Focus on regional acts

September to Remember is a traveling music festival that works to highlight bands in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana. 

Instead of concentrating on a specific genre, it’s more focused on getting bands from the region on stage. So, you will hear some emo, some metal, some indie rock, and something else altogether from Letters to Mercy.

“I have a hard time of putting myself in a basic genre of like alternative rock, because it’s more than that,” frontman Eric Spence said, noting he has a “NewCenturyPopGlam” sound. “It’s like a poly-blend of four, five different genres probably.”

Spence grew up in Fort Wayne, but it was during his 28 years in Florida that he cultivated his sound. After playing in a bevy of bands that included glam rock, shoegaze, and a David Bowie tribute act, Spence thought it was time to branch out.

“I wanted to use my songs,” he said. “I wanted to use songs that were more personal to me.”

Venturing out on own

To create his songs, which include a number of singles you can check out on streaming services, Spence has taken a do-it-yourself approach.

“Everything I’ve done is by ear,” he said. “I’ve taught myself. I’m playing piano, bass, guitar, all the littler things — the harmonica or violin. The one thing I don’t do is drums.”

While he’s been recording by himself, he has filled out a band that can help bring his music to the masses, although it did take him a while to choose his bandmates.

“It took about a year to get everyone,” he said. “I’m a little picky. My music is simple, but it’s complicated.”

To help duplicate a sound that Spence said is influenced by the likes to The London Suede, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Cure, Prince, and David Bowie, Letters to Mercy is filled out by David Wish on keys, Scott Carr on drums, and the latest edition, Al Bell on bass.

“I’ve written some of these songs maybe five years ago, but I need them,” Spence said of his band. “I want to present this to the public, this piece of who I am, and enjoy it and relate to it. My guys are great.”

Therapeutic Tunes

When talking to Spence, it’s clear that he is consumed by music, which he says is why he has not been able to fully experience the Fort Wayne music scene as of yet.

“I have been so wrapped up in the last two years with making these songs happen, getting them ready for the public,” he said. “Honestly, I haven’t had any time.”

But getting wrapped up in his music is exactly what he needs.

“It helps me with my mental health,” he said. “It helps me get through things that I need to deal with.”

And while his influences might be Prince and David Bowie, he assured me his live show will be straightforward music.

“I am 54 years old,” he said. “I’m not against shaking my leg a little bit. I do feel it. I get into it. It’s very organic and theatrical, but it’s not like timed out where everyone is doing some dance number.”