I wrote a letter to the editor of the Silicon Valley Metro about last week's cover story on the local music scene and they printed it in the Nov 4 issue:
http://www.metroactive.com/metro/11.04.09/letters-0944.htmlBarb RocksI was happy to see your feature "Rocktober" (
Cover Story, Oct. 28) about the local music scene and the bands you chose to showcase. Though I was a little disappointed that the story lacked mention of the promoters that are working hard to keep the local scene alive, such as
PinUp Productions, Man Down Productions, and myself (Barb Rocks Presents).
Instead Arsenic Productions, a promoter from Santa Cruz, are referred to as "reliable scenesters" because they are calling it quits? Don't get me wrong, Arsenic has done a lot in Santa Cruz for shows and aligned themselves strategically with PinUp here in San Jose, but where's the love for those that have been working hard for years to bring live music back to the South Bay?
In addition, as much as it's sad that some local music venues are closing, it would be more positive to mention that there's been an increase in venues that have switched to a live music format in 2009, such as The Venuez in Santa Clara, Mountain Charley's in Los Gatos and Zen Lounge in Mountain View. This proves that live music is getting stronger in the South Bay and venues are starting to see the benefits to this business model.
It would also be nice to see your staff writers out at local shows, getting first-hand information on the hardest working bands in the local scene. Sometimes I feel that these bands, as well as the promoters behind the shows, are overlooked.
Keep up the good work on writing about the scene; it would be great to keep seeing articles about who is making a difference in live local music!
Barbara Wahli, San Jose