LTATM: Ep 4 - Local Music Scene Worldwide
LTATM Episode 4: Supporting Local Music Worldwide
According to an article on BBC news, the Music Venues Trust (MVT) has stated that financial stress led to 125 UK “grassroots music venues” abandoning live music in 2023, with over half of these shutting down operations entirely. These venues are important event locations for beginning musicians, but climbing utility bills and an average 37.5% hike in rental costs have the surviving 835 UK venues struggling to keep their doors open.
COVID Shut them down:
Fortunately, some small music venues have kept rocking even after COVID shut them down. You can read how they did it on PBS News. According to Shauna Specht of Canada, who has won recognition from Edmonton Music Awards prior to the pandemic, the EMA has not had an award celebration since 2020. Shauna's niece is on the EMA board and has mentioned that, “The award is on its way back.”
So, while supporting other independent musicians worldwide was very important before the pandemic, it is even more critical today after the pandemic. The conversation that I had with these three wasn't what I was expecting, as this topic would lead to some very interesting conversations. I am very happy that it turned out like it did, though, as it gave me a chance to see what is happening from their perspective.
LTATM Guest Speakers
We have Shauna Specht from Edmonton, Canada — a singer-songwriter with country and rock influences as well as 35 years of songwriting experience. She wrote her first album, Tail of a Comet, then headed out to open mics to promote her music. She hasn't produced a new album since COVID but is beginning to write original music again.
King George is an Australian band consisting of Michael Makris and George Zois. They call their brand of music “stadium rock for small pubs,” with twisted pop and heavy rock elements. They also produce Euro Theatre, which blends electronic and synthtronic genres into a mesmerizing musical experience that captures the essence of the 80s with fresh energy.
Finally, we are joined by Giselle from FATAL Butterfly of the PNW. She describes her music as “raunchy alternative horror punk songs in a vaudevillian fusion show from your mom.” She was in a band, but after COVID she became a solo artist, mixing her music with theater.
How They View the Music Scene after Covid:
My guests see that musicians and venues are still attempting to restart, or just trying to figure out what to do next. What they thought they knew is now a different scene, and they can't seem to find the right step forward or the direction to go in. The show offers views by one Canadian, one Australian, and one PWN musician. You can hear their opinions on LTATM Episode 4: Local Music Scene Worldwide.
Where to listen or watch the NEW LTATM Podcast:
You can listen to the episode on Audioboom, Spotify, and Amazon.Music on Wednesdays, or you can watch this episode on Saturdays on the Official Let’s Talk About The Music website.
FATAL Butterfly - New Song Zombie Luv Doll
Listen every Wednesdays where you stream
podcast and every Saturday on YouTube
Visual released on November 2, 2024.
Some small music venues kept rocking even after COVID shut them down. Here’s how they did it - By —Tim McPhillips
Guest Speakers