Home > Albemarle Sounds > Archives > 2007 > November
November 2007
Trendsetting
I was so glad to see that someone took the intiative to put together an outdoor music concert, one that actually had some decent bands and seemed to bring in a good crowd - about 500 people, which for this area is a good crowd. Of course, I’m talking about Camstock, which was a benefit to raise money for Camtech, the technical school for high school students in Camden. I know we’ve had other benefits recently, as well, such as the Benefit for Darfur at The Weeping Radish in Jarvisburg last May. I believe we could probably have a lot more of these concerts. Every time I drive by the Waterfront park on any night of the week, including weekends, I see an endless parade of cars and trucks full of teenagers driving in and out of the parking lot with nothing to do. Well, why not give them something to do? There is already a stage in the park and I’m sure it has electricity, even enough to power a rock band. I think kids would love to see some local bands playing out in the park. Many of them probably play in their own bands and would love a chance to get out in front of a crowd and do their thing. I realize it takes money to organize and advertise a concert, but I think the potential profits for the city or charity would outweigh any costs.It could be free, like the Potato Fest, but there could be vendors or t-shirt sales or some way I’m sure any business-minded person could find to turn a profit. I also think it would give our kids something to show them that we’re not clueless about their boredom, and that we care. Maybe we could start a new trend - concerts in the park.
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Creating a local buzz
I’ve noticed that since we started the music page in The Daily Advance a week ago, I have been getting emails about bands that I never knew existed. It was as if they magically appeared out of nowhere. Well, that’s good for me - that gives me more resources for the music page, but it also makes me wonder: Where have these bands been? I see some of them periodically at festivals (the Potato Fest, Harbor Nights, etc), but it seems that I see mostly the same bands playing the same venues fairly consistently. I’m not saying that’s bad - at least I know that musicians are getting gigs, making money and growing a fan base. But it tells me that a lot of bands either, A: Aren’t trying to get gigs, or B: Clubs are turning them down. It may even be C: Not enough clubs for all the bands. In my own experience, though, I know that it can be hard for an unknown band, especially one that plays all original music, to get a gig anywhere without a track record, or at least a CD. It’s like trying to get a job - no experience, no job; no job, no experience, and on and on it goes.So, I make a plea to the local clubs - give some bands a break, even if you have to pay them a little something. At least you know, if nothing else, their friends and family will show up, and that can sometimes turn out to be quite a good crowd. How about an open mic night? I also make the plea to local bands and soloists - Don’t be afraid to assert yourself and let club owners know you’re around. Go to the clubs and tell them who you are, record a tape of your music (preferably a CD), and write yourself a biography telling them what you’ve done and where you’ve been. And club goers, support your local music. Bands that make the big time will remember those who supported them in the beginning. Together we can create a buzz.
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Stuck in the 90’s
Okay, it’s time to end the charade and admit the awful truth - I’ve never blogged in my life. Oh sure, I’ve read plenty of blogs and even answered a few blogs, but never have I blogged myself. That’s right, I’m……………web log challenged. So bear with me as I embark on this, the first blog of (hopefully), many more to come. As the title of this blog says, I am one of those who remembers, and still enjoys, the college music scene of the 90s. Recall, if you will, bands like Dada, School of Fish, Lemonheads, Buffalo Tom, Meat Puppets, Dinosaur, Jr., Better Than Ezra, Semisonic, Tonic and all the bands that played gigs at the old Boathouse in Va. Beach. I still enjoy many of those bands today, some of whom are still around and whose CDs I will continue to buy. Dinosaur, Jr. has recently embarked on a new tour with the original songwriting duo of Barlow and J. Mascis, the Lemonheads have released a new album, Better Than Ezra has never really waned in popularity (I liked their last CD, something about robots), but many of the good bands have gone their separate ways and moved on to other projects. The shoe gazing bands of the grunge scene were great, too. Who didn’t like Nirvana? They gave us another killer band, the Foo Fighters, who I think are pretty awesome (they also have a new CD out). I’m not a huge fan of Mudvayne, but they had their place in the grunge revolution, as did Pearl Jam and others. That was good music. I’m a little disappointed with the music of the 21st century, though some bands that carried over from the 90’s, like Nada Surf and Gomez, and especially Fountains of Wayne, are still making the scene and getting played in my CD player, but most of the stuff I’m hearing on the radio today just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not going to name any specific artists, but let’s just say the banality of it all is a bit disheartening. Of course, fans of 80’s music would surely say the same of 90’s music, so I suppose it’s all relative to your point of view. I could go on, but I think I made my point, which is this - the 90’s were cool, music wise. Otherwise, the 90’s stunk. I could go into a diatribe about the lost sound of 70’s soul music, (which may be making a comeback), but I’ll save that for another time. Thanks for listening and let us know what you think.
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