Hello Twenty-Eleven!

I trust you all had a lovely break, enjoying your respective holiday with your families. Our local venues also took a break, unless you count Tyler Glenn and Chance Clifton's NYE dance party. But, judging by all the event invitations I've received on Facebook recently, there are a number of shows coming up this week.

Velour's five year anniversary is this month, and they are going all out with the number of shows and bands playing.

This Wednesday at Velour, we will be graced with a show from Cody Rigby, Foxheart, Kathleen Frewin, and the Mad Diving Barons. My band Wild Apples had the pleasure of playing a show with Cody Rigby a few months ago, and I've band a fan of his rather unique style of folk since. I know I often complain about the oversaturation of folk in Provo, but Rigby's is original, emotional, and he has a band with the chops to bring his songs to life. I've also become a fan of Foxheart, despite my complaints about Foxheart in the past, they've showed very steady improvement and I recommend you see them. I haven't heard Kathleen Frewin, but the Mad Diving Barons (another folk band!) have some great songwriting, vocal harmonies, and musicians in their trio. The show will be worth the admission price for any of those bands, and I'm sure Frewin can also deliver.

And Thursday we get to forego the folk and rock out with Blind Actuaries, Federal Party Players, Tighty Willis, and Chance Lewis. The Feds and Tighty Willis are both fantastic rock bands whose shows I always try to catch. The Feds feature Provo's favorite guitarist, Pat Boyer, who brings a very upbeat 90s feel to the band. Chance Lewis is Provo's second favorite white rapper. (Sorry Chance, but B$ has you beaten.)

Then Friday night is Isaac Russell, Desert Noises, and the Devil Whale - some of Provo's bigger acts. As of now, I haven't seen any of them live, but I plan to remedy that situation this weekend.

Don't think I've forgotten Muse! Thursday night we'll have a rather packed acoustic showcase with Spiral Diary, Davey, Kenzie Rosin, and Spooky Moon.

2011 is going to be a very exciting year for Provo Music. Despite my complains about homogenization, there is a tremendous amount of talent and diversity in our music scene. My own band is undergoing some serious retooling but we're joining forces with D9 to create what I hope to be one of the most... hmm.... unique band in town. So I urge you to check us out when we return to playing shows next month. But there is still a lot to enjoy, so tell your friends about the blog and don't forget to become a fan on Facebook.

Leave your thoughts! Let's not be afraid of discussion!

Egos and Sellouts

Steven Foster is our guest writer today. Check out what he has to say!

What the hell happened to playing music for the sake of playing music?

Seriously you all know what I am talking about!!!

Now to be honest, I am usually a fan of sticking it to people. I dream of a world where we can purchase guns, knives and medieval weapons at a drive through window and use them all by the time we get home. Basically anything that helps get rid of other people is OK with me.

But seriously, a local band wanting to up the cover charge to one of their concerts is insanity. It is hard enough for me as it is to shell out 5 bones to see a couple of bands that I may or may not enjoy (likely not enjoy. Have you heard the crap they are passing off as folk music in this town??). I was at a concert recently where the headlining band (a somewhat well known band within the area, but nobodies outside of Utah Valley) wanted to charge $10 to see them and the seven dwarves play a small crappy venue with no existing sound system. Really?!? 10 bucks?? I am hard pressed to pay that for a band that I actually like and one that is not just made up of friends and family members.

Now let me make this clear, I am not against a band making some money for their efforts. It is hard to put tons of hours and a fair amount of cash into a project without recouping at least some of that. I have been in that band and I know what it is like. What I have a problem with is the desire to make money becoming the focus. Or the desire for power, or prestige, or influence. These are all cancerous sores on any local music scene as well as on a band. It bugs the crap out of me when your fans become a means to an end as opposed to the end itself.

To all of you bands who subconsciously (or consciously) seek the destruction of a good local music scene: Quit taking yourself so damn seriously! You are not Bono and you do not play in U2 or with Justin Bieber or whoever else is a big deal these days. Just take a minute and remember why you started to play music in the first place. I would hope that it is because you love making music (for those of you who started to make money, get girls, etcetera: I’ll see you in playing your guitar at a coffee house in Hell) for yourself, and for others to enjoy. There are so many talented people in the area, lets just get together and have a good time. When people play music for the love of music it starts to attract other music lovers. If you have ever wondered why the local music scene appears to be dead, look at bands that turn off typical music lovers with their idiotic narcissism.

As a final note, a concert performed by real music lovers to other music lovers is a truly magical thing. It is one of the greatest tools of our society to make things better. For a split second you can motivate discontent, motion, change and improvement in our world. It is about working together and enjoying the differences in opinion, style and viewpoint of those you encounter. Be part of the unity that makes our music scene better. Only you musicians on an individual level can create the necessary change. Love the music and stop loving yourself.