State of the local Michigan music scene

[dhf2393]

So for people who have no idea who I am, my name is Jack Cawthon. I play in a band called Claremont, and we are from Brighton. Music is my passion and it fuels me everyday to deal with life as it comes my way. Now you may be thinking I'm giving you my life story, but that is not the case haha. In a nutshell I want to see what musicians and music fans think about the local Michigan music scene, and to share some of my thoughts as a musician. I love the music that comes from this state to death, and we have talent that pours out of these state lines. In my opinion though, I feel that the local scene could be more united, and that by doing this, each local show could have true excitement at it. But the first steps come from the musicians, and that is where my rant truly begins.

A numbered list is needed..

1.) My band has played over many shows over the past year and a half, and we have played with some extremely talented bands . And maybe it's just me, but I feel like there is a "wall" between some of the bands and my band. This isn't the case with all bands, but it is a common theme. I just feel awkward approaching fellow bands and that shouldn't be the case. We should all be united as musicians, whether we like each others music or not. I know these musicians aren't assholes, but I shouldn't feel like it shouldn't be a problem talking to them, and they shouldn't feel that way approaching us. Maybe this isn't a huge step, but comradery is important in music.

2.) From what I've heard of the music scene 4-5 years ago, it seems like the fans were way more into the music than they are now. And I have no idea why haha. I've listened to bands like Tips, Monte and Island View Drive and they were great, but that same level talent is still here today. Bands like Tiger! Tiger!, Apathetic Critic and Mike Mains and the Branches have carried on this flame, but what is the difference? Is it just that the majority of fans want shitty auto-tuned deathcore or generic pop/rock with uninspried lyrics? I just want to know what fuels the fans to fall in love with local bands, and what musicians can do to change that.

Only two points were really needed haha. But you get the gist of it. Music in Michigan is still great, and there are so many extremely taleneted bands and solo acts in this state. And while this post seems negative, there are many people that are working their asses off to promote the good music in our area. Just a few are Nate from Fusion, the people who work at Bigger Brush Media, any venue owners who put on local music, and the fans that are dedicated to their favorite local bands. But just like to anything, changes can be made to make this scene better and that is the whole point of this post. On a slightly off topic note, on December 4th there is a show at the Howell Opera House titled The Night of Ridiculously Awesome Sweaters 2, and there are many great bands and solo acts playing. My band is playing there too and we are releasing our EP, and I can honestly say that every band/musician on this bill is great. So if you are a local music fan go out and support, it's only $8 too! So yeah, end of rant haha. Post any ideas/feedback/ blah blah on here.

Jack

[James Radick]

Good post, Jack.

There is a lot of good in this music scene right now. So much good. I'm not going to attempt to list the amount of great bands we've gotten the chance to play with over the last couple months, because I'll surely leave people out and feel like a dick because of it. We've also met a lot of really wonderful people.

Nate always talks about how we remember the good ole days of the local scene. If you look back, for every show with 150+ kids there was one with 50 kids. It happens. Bands overbook themselves, people are busy, bad weather, there's a million excuses for a bad show.

A band has to work really hard to make sure they draw. It's so simple, but that's what it comes down to. You have to be willing to spend gas money and give up time to flyer and sell tickets. It's a lot of work, and it's understandable if bands can't commit to that. And every band can always improve their promotional game.

You have to put in so much time and effort before you get to the point where you have name recognition, and people just show up because you're playing. A few years ago I saw La Dispute play for MAYBE 50 people in Howell, on several occasions. And look at them now. That isn't by chance. There's a simple formula to follow: good songwriting + hard work + amazing live show + positive attitude = good band. If you don't have all four of those things 100%, it's just not going to happen. You can't cut corners.

We've been talking about this a lot at our practices lately. We need to step up all of these aspects if we want to be at the point we want to be at. We've got a lot of work to do if we really want to take this seriously, ya know?

[tdodge41]

Its funny to think about "old days" and stuff like that. And the fact that I have old days. 10 years in the MI music scene feels good, but its work for sure.

I guess from what I see there are so many scenes in MI music that its really hard to describe it as one thing. For example, there is a great fast punk hardcore scene in Muskegon/Grand Rapids/Grand Haven area. This is probably my favorite scene from a personal aspect. Through that scene I have seen bands from all over the world playing fast rippin punk and hardcore. I love that kinda of music. I love the DIY/DIT/Community aspect there. People cooking food for touring bands, people hanging out at houses after shows and bands getting together and putting on rippin shows. And not over booking, even though it still happens its happening less. My band has had a great time playing over in this area.

I dont really know how you can really divide or create one unanimous MI music scene. There are DIY/DIT/community ethics that could connect my band (The Oily Menace- death metal/grindcore) with possibly Good Weather for Airstrikes (post rock) and Audrey (indie pop/rock) but many times its hard to get kids to come out and support something bigger then the music and open their ears to something that they may have never heard.

As far as getting a draw on a show, I have seen great amounts of success with just 4 bands. We just played a Monday night in grand rapids at the cage with 3 other really good rippin bands and there were like 75 kids out. I think another way things are moving is away from facebook and social networking areas to find out about shows and more to websites and flyers and such. Hanging and making flyers and passing out flyers has put me in great conversations with people and breaks down that wall between patron and musician and puts a personality to someone you might just see on the floor infront of you playing. Its all about contact.

Really i think when people just stick to their ethics they will at least find other bands and some other people who like what they are about. And not even really their ethics, but just something real. This is how the scene should and could work. But then again, I dont really know anything about anything.