It has been awhile since my last post. In that post I focused on Current Music Realities and the responsibilities and realities that should be examined as we go forward. As I said in that post, all of us bear some responsibility for the current state of affairs. Since that post, there seems to be signs of changes for the positive in some areas, and declines in others. I’ll outline some of the things I see-both good and bad-and suggest a few things we may all want to consider as we move forward.
Present Situation
One thing I will say right from the start is that some of the flickers of energy I was starting to see, especially with regards to musicians, seem to have faded—at least in music communities I’m familiar with. Competition and unwillingness to collaborate and mutually support remains a significant problem. Recent efforts to put together Musicians Collective organizations in two communities had some really inspiring first gatherings. However, it appears that many attendees were really just “sticking their toes in the water” (so to speak), and finding it would take some work and dedication to sustain an entity like this, just slipped into old habits. Also, several local clubs have either ceased doing live music, or decided to push it more to the side, in favor of other “ventures.” At the same time though, one club (in a smaller community even) has redoubled their focus on live music to the point of even investing in additional space. Their crowds remain enthusiastic and much bigger than many other places. Clearly, a dedicated focus has payoffs. The things that seem to make a difference remain:
- Consistency (a variety of good bands and solo artists)
- Partnership (bands are viewed as business partners)
- Investment (clubs with success have stuck with music as a focus, continued to promote and see consistent clientele as a result)
The flip side is also true. Clubs that struggle tend to dabble in music, and when there aren’t quick payoffs, abandon that as a focus.
What is a Music Scene?
All of that said though, clubs are just one aspect of a real, actual music scene, and there is a HUGE difference between a thriving, actual scene, and communities that:
- May organize and host music festival (maybe several) or even a music series
- Have a handful of clubs operating with some live music
- And even active, genre specific organization, like a “Blues Society”
Here is reality…
You can have all of these things in an area, and STILL really not have a scene. A scene is much more than a handful of unconnected and disconnected events, businesses and organizations
Definition Time:
A music scene is a community of musicians, fans, and related individuals connected by a shared love for a particular type of music or style of music. It often involves local venues, record labels, fanzines, and a sense of place that fosters a vibrant and dynamic musical culture.
In my mind I think of the bands that made up the 60s “British Invasion” in English industrial cities, The Chicago blues scene in the 60s, the mutually supporting punk and funk scenes in Washington DC in 80s (See the Foo Fighter’s Sonic Highways documentary for more detail), the “Grunge” scene in Seattle in the late 80s. All of these scenes began as artist driven movements. Entire cultures built up around these movements. In some ways, clubs were an afterthought. In fact, in some situations (or at least in the beginning), the music happened in pop-up “venues” like warehouses, community buildings or even schools, and then clubs sprang up in response, along with media, labels and other support organizations. Jam session-like events also tend to be a centerpiece of many of these movements, or at least intentional opportunities for musicians to play together, build connections and find mutual support. There are famous stories of mentorship and other connections in most of these scenes, as older musicians took younger talent and connected them with opportunities, mentoring, coaching, and other bands or individuals. However it happened, these were the things that built movements and scenes:
- Mutual support
- Collaboration
- Mentoring
- Spontaneity
- A desire to build, that transcended limitations—lack of existing music clubs, lack of support in other regards, history, location, etc.
This is the one thing that is clear—there were no excuses. Artists, fans and other supporters followed their muse, worked with what they had…and made history.
Can This Happen Today?
The first thing is, why not? We have resources they didn’t have in the mentioned examples. All that appears to be lacking is a way to start. All of the issues I mention in the beginning of this article and additional things mentioned in the previous post are definite barriers, along with:
- Suspicion and competition (between bands, clubs, etc.)
- Turf battles and issues of control (this may be one of the biggest barriers. “Self-appointed gate keepers” are a thing in many places. They are either clubs, agents or organizations with leadership that wants to maintain exclusive control, have pet projects and events they want to protect, club owners and agents who want things to stay the same, etc.)
- Fear of change (just because something has been done one way for a long time doesn’t mean it should continue, or continue in the way it has always been done)
- Hopelessness and malaise regarding the present situation (complaints that “nobody wants to go out anymore,” “clubs don’t pay anything,” “COVID changed everything,” etc. are mantras in many places. This can be true and irrelevant at the same time)
That said, I think there are signs that change is on the horizon, and many people are tired of the excuses and want to really see something happen again. Personally I think the time is ripe for a music revolution on a number of fronts. Why not now?
What Does a Thriving Scene Look Like?
Taking lessons from previously mentioned music revolutions, successful scenes I have seen in action and other things I believe can make a difference, here are the things I think will need to happen to start the fire:
- Collaboration and Connection: Musicians in particular need to get out of their “bubbles” and comfort zones, put the tendency to protect turf and the familiar aside, and do some things: Examples could include (but are not limited to):
- Organizing multi-band events and shows (Just for fun)
- Invite each other to “sit in” at shows
- Get out to support and meet other artists
- Share resources:
- Rehearsal space
- Recording gear and related resources
- PA gear, etc.
- Find unique spaces for events and shows
- Turn shows into events with contests, other arts and artists, etc.—essentially a “rave like” event atmosphere where shows become “happenings.”
- Collaborate with other interested and creative fans to build the mentioned events.
- Make every effort to attend and assist with “Jam session” like events that may be happening in your community
- Coordinate genre specific organizational (like Blues Societies) meetings to coincide with the mentioned “Jam sessions” or other similar events as much as possible. There should always be efforts to include, coordinate, collaborate and promote from all directions.
- Genre specific organizations should directly involve active musicians and music club owners, as well as music fans, and should be coordinating and collaborating with anyone else (in the organization or not) who is hosting related events, etc.
- Take the music into schools. Organize “Rock Schools,” or “Blues in the Schools,” etc. Always be looking to the next generation
- See ANYTHING you do as an opportunity to build relationships, mentor, connect and coordinate. Nothing should ever be a “stand alone” event
To build and nurture a scene, that focus needs to be paramount. In the end, everyone can benefit—clubs, musicians, fans, genre specific organizations, etc.
For in-person or virtual lessons, coaching and mentoring with Mark, contact him at: imwiththebandmz@gmail.com and visit his website at: www.im-with-the-band.org
Mark Zanoni
I'm With the Band 