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So far, this column has primarily focused on artists at a national and international level, mostly because these big name artists are inescapable. Some, like Kanye West, are so engrained into pop culture, their music has little to no significance. People are often more concerned with John Mayer’s latest love interest than his latest album.
Others are more obscure on a mainstream level but still reach audiences across the world, thanks to the internet and other technology. Even many of these “independent” artists make their living by making music, selling it and touring.
These artists are crucial to the music world, and for most, being a music fan means listening to these kinds of acts.
But local musicians are getting the short end of the stick in this situation. All over the nation, there are small towns full of musicians with just as much skill and talent as national acts. Maine has a few great hubs for local music — Bangor, Lewiston and Augusta — and many other acts spread across the state. Local artists are teachers, restaurant employees, students or businesspeople who share a passion for creating and performing.
Local music is often raw, original and unlike anything else out there on a national level. There is something comforting about it as well, kind of like buying from a farmers market. Last summer, I was jamming out in my car listening to an album by Portland noise-pop rockers Honey Clouds. I was suddenly overcome with a feeling of intense joy as I realized I was driving by the house where the album was recorded and produced and where the band practices.
I’ve been to Abbey Road before, but besides that I have never come close to driving past the place where a band I love practices and records.
The best thing anyone can do to support a music scene is go to a show. If you see a hand-drawn poster with three bands with weird names you’ve never heard of playing a show in a church, don’t be so quick to dismiss it as lame. Just because someone is playing in a garage, it doesn’t mean they don’t have the songwriting skill to be playing in stadiums.
I am far from encouraging blind support. There are plenty of times when I will go to a show and be thoroughly unimpressed. Most often there are so many bands playing in one night that even if one is sub-par, the next band will be great. Trust me, the reward from discovering even one great artist is worth listening to a few bands that don’t strike your fancy.
The best part about local music, though, is the sense of community — the same people are going to be showing up to the same shows. Especially in Portland, people that were on stage one weekend will be in the audience the next weekend cheering on their friends. Even in Orono and Old Town, one is likely to find a consistent group of people going to see a certain band at Woodman’s or The Dime.
I encourage you to go out over the coming break and try and see at least one local band. If you’re over 21, you’ve got no excuse, and those underage can often find all-ages or 18-plus shows. For five or 10 bucks, you might be surprised. Plus, it’s cheaper than paying $100 or more to go see a band in Boston.
Bangor Daily News