Well, the introduction of Social Media Networks has helped the local scene get to a larger audience and at the same time bastardized it.  I have seen the local scene grow smaller over the years and feel the main stream music industry has killed the creativeness of artists and let down the listener/fan.

In what way you may ask?  I have seen local artists get signed and eventually sell out their sound/style to appeal to a certain demographic for guaranteed cash.  Believe me, cash is king, but you have to keep your integrity intact.

Now, the Chicago local scene is very cut throat.  You have promoters who were once working for the right reasons, keeping it alive, now blackballing bands.  It seems both promoters and bands have changed for the worst.  Nobody helps anyone anymore unless it benefits them.  Promoters, talent buyers and venues want guaranteed draws and a ton of pre-sold tickets which is good, but when one band does their part and the others don’t, everyone looses, especially the audience.  The goal should be to stay true to your sound/style and get your music to new ears.

When I was putting together shows with the old south-side greats like Bedroom Enjoyment, Down In Front, 5th Wall, Cancer Merchants, and Espin 13, we worked together to bring out as many people as possible and put on a great show for our fans. We even packed in 150 people for a show at a Bacci’s near Archer and Pulaski, along with massive shows at the Oak Lawn ice arena.  People came to shows because the bands were approachable and people were into the music and actually gave a shit.  It’s very rare to see that kind of attitude on the scene these days.  Everyone is about the quick buck!

Today’s ‘popular’ music is not something i feel people are buying into anymore, and the listener/fan deserves more than cookie cutter songs with shitty lyrics.  What’s sad is that our local scene has remodeled itself after mainstream music.  The scene is stagnant and needs a band to lead the charge toward new music and inspirations.

Getting shows isn’t the most difficult thing, it’s getting people to spend money they hardly have to support a local act.  Obviously the economy has hurt a lot of people, and to spend 10 to 15 dollars at the door to see a bunch of local bands is a bit much; especially if you’ve never heard of them before or if only half the bands are good. Also, many venues have stopped hosting all-ages shows because they don’t make money at the bar and without that added revenue, overhead costs are a bitch. The bottom line is that bands need to be more than good musicians.  Not only do they need to have their shit together musically, but also with their promoting.  Bands need to work as a unit, put their ego’s aside, collaborate promotions with other bands and stop relying on the venues because venues are all about the dollar!