Local Musician Scene
 

Local musicians.

We all have experienced our share of them, ranging from underground wunderkind to your friend's cousin's landlord's band that would play in the garage of your neighbors's nephew's girlfriend-at-the-time. There is a feeling of gratification when one is "in the know" of a group of lesser-known musicians, especially when they are easily accessible via a quick walk or cheap cab ride to the nearest venue. Why is ordinary so extraordinary when witnessed firsthand? Or when witnessed before the masses have access? What is this feeling that locally composed music forges in our minds?

Share with us the talent you have local experience with, that you want the world to be made aware of. What should your town be known for in this modern age of music?

There's not much of a scene for anything here are far I know, but I feel like the people at the weekly jam session class thingie will get something going at some point.
I went to Nelson yesterday, and saw some graffiti saying "Hardcore punk save my life" and "Misfits!", so there is maybe a hardcore scene there?

Where is this here that you refer to?

In San Diego we have a thriving jazz community. Some of my favorites are pianist Joshua White and drummer Nathan Hubbard, I've seen both multiple times.

I currently reside in Nashville, via Chicago. Whilst living in Chicago, I had a multitude of opportunities to see live music. I never latched onto a specific scene, rather I kept an open-mind and sought out any noise that appealed to me. A majority of the noise I found was rock-oriented.

I saw a show for Ezra Furman & the Harpoons at a personal favorite venue, Double Door, in Wicker Park. Opening for them was tour mate, Tristen (Tristen Gasparadek). I was unaware at the time that Tristen was from the town of Lansing, where my father grew up. I believe she had already transitioned to Nashville at this point but that is neither here nor there. Both bands were touring to support new releases, Mysterious Power (Ezra) and Charlatans at the Garden Gate (Tristen).

My buddies and I arrived somewhere in the middle of Tristen's set and I was mesmerized right away. Her voice has something of an angelic quality, an innocence of sorts. And she is very attractive to boot. It was only her and her husband playing guitar with drum loops on keyboard. This was the first time I heard 'Doomsday'.



Wow! What imagery! What sounds! How possibly could you follow this? 'Baby Drugs'. That is how.



Such positivity radiating from a lover is a sensation to be desired by all.


After a smoke break and some beers to calm my pounding heart (and a brisk conversation at the merch table to confess my sudden, undying love for this woman), Ezra appeared onstage in a glory of manic depression. He kicked it off with 'Mother's Day', featuring a resounding, crowd-led FUCK that was heard throughout the neighborhood.



For the entirety of this set, I lost 5 pounds through sweat and blood (limbs swing when the band swings). This was the most emotionally energetic show I had witnessed to date. Everything that came from this lanky dude with a crazy spark in his eye was absolutely genuine. I somehow managed to move around at such a frenetic pace while balancing ever so delicately on his every word. This was a show that will most definitely make it into the stories I tell my children, nieces, and nephews.

After the show, my entire group went next door to the bar where Ezra and the band made an appearance. I was able to buy him a beer before they piled in the van to hopefully charm and excite someone new to his sounds in another town.


Further Listening:

Tristen - Charlatans at the Garden Gate (Spotify)

Ezra Furman & the Harpoons - Banging Down the Doors (Spotify)

Trail/Castlegar - British Columbia, Canada.

The problem with where I live is that every band seems to be so far underground that there isn't too much of a scene to be had. Me and a few friends are trying to start up a collective of all artistic people we can find.

In Dundee we have a small but ambitious music scene largely overshadowed by Glasgow's, Scotland's largest city, just two hours away. There are a small batch of bands that play the same two or three venues. These come in two categories; local upstarts which vary from dreadful to good, and overflow from the Glasgow scene which are almost always great.
Local bands can be small and unknown to the rest of the country or quite successful, though still holding a soft sentiment for Dundee. Glasgow bands also come in both categories too, though even the smaller ones still seem more matured. Just the other night I went and saw three fantastic bands, two from Glasgow and one Dundonian. Halfrican who I was familiar with from a compilation put out by a Glasgow venue, Bar Bloc+. Great energy, but all three are firm in that category. ****hawks are the local band. Deathcats were the third and the headliners, playing their penultimate show. A really great band with bounds of charisma. Very fun, and one of the best local gigs I have ever attended. Nice people too, the people that attend these nights.Vladimir are another good band, getting a bit bigger. Having supported The Fall in Manchester and The Twilight Sad.
Other bigger Glasgow bands that have come through more than once are Paws and The Amazing Snakeheads. Both respectable. Paws are incredibly capable on record but lacking in live talent. Snakeheads are the complete opposite, bland on record but really a sight to behold live. Front man Dale Barcley snarls on stage like an angry dog, and is truly unpredictable. One minute staring lustfully at an audience member the next down on his knees wiping away tears as he sings. I enjoy the scene, to an extent. Though I am a bit of an outsider not knowing the bands particularly well.

What are some good jazz clubs to visit? I am in the process of planning a trip out west and would love to see some local jazz! That almost never fails.

How is progress on this? I would be interested in seeing what you come up with!

What styles of music are these bands? Any examples? I am interested in checking them all out!

Well so far it's just my project Machine+, friends who are doing a hip-hop outfit of which I'm helping out on at the moment. And there are some other people who live a while away who may or may not team up. Just really looking for a bunch of people no matter how diverse to unify. So as of now not too much, but I'll keep you updated.