Saint Louis Unity
Musician's Guide and Directory
Early 2001
Here are some thoughts I've been having lately about the St. Louis Music Scene and it's current situation. Ever since the announcement of the Firehouse closing, the buzz around the entire music scene has been "what's next? When and how are things going to turn around? Will they?"
There is so much talent in this city, but the biggest problem is U-N-I-T-Y! For years, there has been this stigma in the St. Louis Rock Scene (and others, I assume) that bands couldn't be friends or support each other. Crowds will go to a show to see their favorite band, and then leave after the set is over, leaving the next band to have to play for only their crowd. A lot of unfriendly competition exists in St. Louis and I feel no one is going to go anywhere until it stops. I hear bands talking about how much they dislike the acts they are sharing the stage with; but turn on a fake smile with a handshake and a "great set"! it seems like you forgot that other band is your business partner for the night and has helped make you money with attendance and liquor sales!
Sitting around with your friends and fans talking about how much you dislike the band you are sharing the bill with can only hurt you and the entire scene. When another local band gets a good break; a good show with a national act, some press, some radio play, etc...the first person in line with a congratulations should be the entire St. Louis Music Scene. Give good karma, get good karma! We need to dispel jealousy and unfriendly competition in the scene! Like my friend Patti LaBrott says: Musicians United Through Music! Spin magazine once wrote that St. Louis' music scene is 15 years behind every other city in the country - 15 years!
If we get together, break down our petty differences and realize that one band's success leads to everyone's success then there is no stopping the talent in this town! We need to join together and support each other. if not, then we are all destined to go the route of the local band. Have some local success, sell a couple hundred CDs and then fall away into an oblivion like the thousands of bands before us. Let's unite and make this successful for everyone!
The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are some venues and outlets and bands that already fell this way and are trying their damndest to change our scene: 1) The Industry Magazine is a wonderful resource and great supporter of our music scene. 2) The Musician's Guide and Directory is helping the cause as well, with articles about how to make it into the scene, 3) 93.3 KNSX FM supports local music by sponsoring "Thursday Night at the Hi Pointe". These shows have a lot of the St. Louis Music Industry's finest in attendance every Thursday, it's a great place to network. 4) National Sports and Entertainment Agency (Mike Kociela and Donnie Besancenez). These guys are bustin' their asses to make the St. Louis local scene the best it can be! 5) Force MP Entertainment. they've seen the talent in this town and are ready to turn up the heat, singing local bands to their label to help them and St. Louis gain national attention. 6) Sarah Settle and Kevin Johnson at the Post and postnet.com...they are really working to change the scene. 7) Mellisa Wrobel at the Suburban Journals. 8)The Point Local Show, creating the Point Essentials and spinning our music to expand our audiences, 9) Ken Williams and 101.1 The River for their support of the local scene. 10) Visual Story Group and Ken Calcaterra. He's working hard supporting the scene by making videos and working to get attention to this city. 11) The venues that are still allowing us to shine...Galaxy, Hi Pointe, 313, Mississippi Nights, to name a few. 12) There are a number of bands who are also behind this cause, and are trying their best to make change in this city, either by working hard, making great music, or a combination of the two. If we unite, we can make change and get the support and attention we all deserve.
There is so much talent in this city, but the biggest problem is U-N-I-T-Y! For years, there has been this stigma in the St. Louis Rock Scene (and others, I assume) that bands couldn't be friends or support each other. Crowds will go to a show to see their favorite band, and then leave after the set is over, leaving the next band to have to play for only their crowd. A lot of unfriendly competition exists in St. Louis and I feel no one is going to go anywhere until it stops. I hear bands talking about how much they dislike the acts they are sharing the stage with; but turn on a fake smile with a handshake and a "great set"! it seems like you forgot that other band is your business partner for the night and has helped make you money with attendance and liquor sales!
Sitting around with your friends and fans talking about how much you dislike the band you are sharing the bill with can only hurt you and the entire scene. When another local band gets a good break; a good show with a national act, some press, some radio play, etc...the first person in line with a congratulations should be the entire St. Louis Music Scene. Give good karma, get good karma! We need to dispel jealousy and unfriendly competition in the scene! Like my friend Patti LaBrott says: Musicians United Through Music! Spin magazine once wrote that St. Louis' music scene is 15 years behind every other city in the country - 15 years!
If we get together, break down our petty differences and realize that one band's success leads to everyone's success then there is no stopping the talent in this town! We need to join together and support each other. if not, then we are all destined to go the route of the local band. Have some local success, sell a couple hundred CDs and then fall away into an oblivion like the thousands of bands before us. Let's unite and make this successful for everyone!
The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are some venues and outlets and bands that already fell this way and are trying their damndest to change our scene: 1) The Industry Magazine is a wonderful resource and great supporter of our music scene. 2) The Musician's Guide and Directory is helping the cause as well, with articles about how to make it into the scene, 3) 93.3 KNSX FM supports local music by sponsoring "Thursday Night at the Hi Pointe". These shows have a lot of the St. Louis Music Industry's finest in attendance every Thursday, it's a great place to network. 4) National Sports and Entertainment Agency (Mike Kociela and Donnie Besancenez). These guys are bustin' their asses to make the St. Louis local scene the best it can be! 5) Force MP Entertainment. they've seen the talent in this town and are ready to turn up the heat, singing local bands to their label to help them and St. Louis gain national attention. 6) Sarah Settle and Kevin Johnson at the Post and postnet.com...they are really working to change the scene. 7) Mellisa Wrobel at the Suburban Journals. 8)The Point Local Show, creating the Point Essentials and spinning our music to expand our audiences, 9) Ken Williams and 101.1 The River for their support of the local scene. 10) Visual Story Group and Ken Calcaterra. He's working hard supporting the scene by making videos and working to get attention to this city. 11) The venues that are still allowing us to shine...Galaxy, Hi Pointe, 313, Mississippi Nights, to name a few. 12) There are a number of bands who are also behind this cause, and are trying their best to make change in this city, either by working hard, making great music, or a combination of the two. If we unite, we can make change and get the support and attention we all deserve.