How do you find good local music? This week Mike and Greg discuss their opinions and hesitations on local music scenes.
Mike: So how interested are you typically in local music?
Greg: I would like to be more so, but right now I couldn’t name a single local KC band, and maybe two Lawrence bands… When I was in Manhattan, I knew of the UNIT, but that was about it. I’d really like to find out more about the local scene, but it’s hard to do that without more people to do it with- know what I mean?
Although I did go see a local guy at Davey’s a couple weeks ago- and he was amazing. Sounded like Dylan. So I’d really like to get more into local music. How about you?
Mike: Sometimes i just feel put off by it. I want to be part of it, but dont really enjoy seeing local bands that much because I dont know much about it, or how to find good ones, and also I like a band that has their sound more defined.
I just dont have my finger on the pulse that much. I also think there might be some resentment because, as a musician, I can never break into it very easily and still feel I am just as good as some of the people who are in it. If not better.
Greg: Yeah- I agree completely. It has a lot more social implications like you say, compared to just listening to an album… or even an indie group from some other city.
Mike: Maybe thats it. I just get frustrated when people talk about their local music scenes and perhaps its because being from Kansas City and living in DC they arent particularly known for that, compared to Austin TX or Portland or Seattle or New York etc., but I find my self not caring, even when I think I should. I would like to know where to find these underground about to break bands.
Greg: That’s funny- I always thought that feeling of resentment was just me.
Mike: I think its normal. I always said that our band was the best band i knew that didnt get many gigs… and really it was because we didn’t try hard enough, but on another level, its often narrowed down too much in smaller music cities like KC or Lawrence.
If you want to play rock, you play the rock clubs and local bars, jazz in the jazz clubs, folk in the coffee shops…but never the two shall ever meet. We were never quite true jazz to play at a Blue Room type place, let alone a dinner crowd like at Majestic Steakhouse, nor would I really want to anyway. But we never quite fit in with the open mic route at the Bottleneck or other bars. And now, wanting to be in a rock band, I find it difficult to be something diverse.
No matter what type of music I like to play, I feel its hard to find a niche when there isn’t much creativity in the local scene to allow for that. I never really have liked the local bands I have seen.
Greg: Totally… that’s why places like Tonic and The Knitting Factory are so cool because they will host a huge variety of groups. Do you know anything about The Record Bar in KC? I’ve heard it’s a pretty decent place.
Mike: I just recently heard about it, but know little about it…just the name I think…where is it?
Greg: In a couple of weeks, Robert Moore is hosting a Sonic Spectrum-fest there… two evenings, eight bands. Luckily I know someone who wants to go, so I’m hoping to hear some good local music. I’m pretty sure in Westport somewhere.
Mike: Sounds cool…that show is probably a good way to find good music, Sonic Spectrum that is.
Greg: Yeah, KC is lucky that KCUR is willing to play that show.
Mike: Yeah…there is little like that in KC. It’s a good resource for music. I need to start listening.
So what do you think? Email us at [email protected]
Coming up NEXT WEEK: Mike, Greg and Aryn become educated by hundred dollar computers!