Support Local Music?

BY: ANGEL BOSTICK

What does that mean? You see tons of people with bumper stickers, signs, shirts or just saying it. Support local music. But what does that truly entail? I don't see many people that really understand what it means to support local music. There are a few that get the concept. They are the ones that live it, breathe it, work it and are pushing the movement of local music. They go to the shows, they buy the merchandise, they spread the word, they don't complain about buying a ticket or paying the cover charge.

So, you want to know what you can do to support our local music? It's really not that hard. Buy a ticket to a local bands show, even if you can't make it out to see them. The bands get paid on ticket sales. Pay the cover charge and don't complain, that money also goes to the bands. These bands have expenses. The gas to get to the show, guitar strings, drum sticks, amps, posters, flyers, cd's, recording time, too much to list. The members of the band are working hard to pay their daily living expenses and paying to provide us, the fans, something new, different and uniquely St. Louis, all of this to follow their dreams. And you want to complain about paying a cover charge of a few bucks? Have you ever checked to see how much a drum set, guitar, amps, etc costs? It's not cheap.

Buy their cd and share it with friends. I buy at least 2 cd's. One for me and one to give to someone. I was so excited when one day I got into a friends car and they were playing a local bands cd that I gave them. We talked and my friend really enjoyed their music and was turning her friends on to it too. Who knows, maybe one of the people she shares the music with might be a producer. And then the band makes it big. Just by sharing the music.

Buy a T-shirt. You know you haven't done laundry and need something to wear anyway. Plus, you are a walking billboard for the band! When you see someone reading your shirt, tell them about the band and where they can check them out at. Invite your friends to the show. The more the merrier.

Those are the simple easy steps you can do to put meaning and action to "Support Local Music." Now, if your ready you can delve a little deeper. Support the venues and bars that support local music. Ask the band, they will tell you which venues and bars take care of them, how much they get of the tickets sales, etc. Some venues are "pay to play". Pay to play means the band has to sell the tickets and use that money to pay for the sound guy, door guy etc. And if there is any money left over the band gets to keep that money. Some venues, don't charge the band and the bands gets all the money from tickets sales and the door. Visit the venues/bars even when the band isn't playing. Too many great St. Louis venues/bars are out of business. That means fewer places to listen to great original music.

Get involved! Ask the band what you can do. Become part of their street team, hand out flyers, spread the word, share to music.

To sum it up, SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC, PUT SOME ACTION INTO THOSE WORDS!