Back on April 14 of this year, also known as "414 Day" in Milwaukee, singer Grace Weber debuted the aptly titled "414," a song featuring Mudy that rang out through a capacity Opening Day crowd at American Family Field later that night.
The song quickly latched on as a Milwaukee anthem, primarily in an audio format, obviously. But more recently, it took on a new form as a mural in the heart of downtown.
Located in an alleyway on the back side of the Plankinton Loft Apartments (the former Grand Avenue Mall) on North 2nd Street between Wisconsin Avenue and Michigan Street, the groovy three-story mural depicts Weber dancing with a pair of headphones on. The back of her jacket in the painting shows a 414 patch and the phrase "city raised us," a lyric from her song.
You'll also find familiar landmarks and symbols like the Milwaukee Pierhead Light, "The Calling" sculpture, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and the Rockwell Automation clock tower.
More lyrics from the song's chorus cover the adjoining three stories of walkways that connect the building to a parking structure: "Hometown love is what we're made of."
Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District No. 21 worked with Weber — a Milwaukee native and the namesake of Radio Milwaukee's Music Lab — and local artist Sid Ylagan on the design.
“We wanted it to celebrate everything we love about the city, and its amazing art and music scene," Weber said. "I'm so excited this celebration of '414' and Milwaukee is a part of the downtown landscape and can’t wait for people to check it out.”
