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Why I’m honored to be a part of Austin’s newest non-profit, Austin Music People.

2010 October 5

Hey folks:

Music is the soul of this city. And that soul is becoming increasingly more threatened. Whether it’s crazy-a noise ordinances that affect live music venues that have operated for 20+ years or rising prices in the cost of living that make the city unaffordable for the creative class, we have to protect our culture.

That’s why C3 (ACL Fest, Stubb’s) and Transmission Entertainment (Fun Fun Fun Fest, Mohawk) are banding together with a slew of other music-related folks to create Austin Music People, a non-profit formed to ensure Austin stays the Live Music Capital of the World.

Here’s a little bit more about what AMP plans to do(from the Austin Music People website):

  • Fostering networking and cooperation among Austin’s community of music professionals
  • Creating a new level of collaboration between the local music industry and other community stakeholders
  • Research and discussion of ideas, policies, and issues facing the music industry at large and Austin music in particular
  • Giving fans a voice to be heard and a forum to celebrate and enhance Austin Music
  • Hosting events to strengthen the connection between Austin’s music professionals and the fans who make Austin’s music culture the best in the world

A lot of that is inline with our mission statement here at Republic of Austin. At RoA, we feel the only way we can grow as an artistic community is if we all support each other. That’s why I’m more than a little excited to have been asked to help out as a member of the ACL Dream Team.

What is the ACL Dream Team? We’re a collective of citizens from around Austin who are dedicated to the Austin music scene. There are musicians, local record label peeps, promoters, members of the media (me!) and folks who love music. You can chat with us at the ACL Cares booth during the festival to find out more about what AMP is doing to keep Austin the Live Music Capital of the World.

And before y’all say anything about me selling out, here’s what Austin music means to me (from the ACL Dream Team bios):

For me, Austin’s music scene is more than just the bars on 6th Street, the Austin City Limits Festival or SXSW. While I love all 3 of those, Austin should always be a place where artists and musicians of all types should flourish. Whether it’s our burgeoning hip-hop and electro scenes or the many independent festivals and underground events held year-round, it’s the diversity of our music culture that makes this city great.

Check out these photos of the ACL Dream Team from the amazing Annie Ray. And, um, wow: I can’t believe I’ll be sharing oxygen with such an awesome group of people!

Zoe is a 17 year old music, arts, and lifestyle professional who works in marketing (with a specialty in U21), PR, management, broadcast journalism, media (social or otherwise), and event coordination. Zoe currently works as the Operations Coordinator at Transmission Entertainment, as well as an independent consultant for projects and companies around Austin, and a reporter and producer for the award-winning radio show Youth Spin.

Zeale: I'm an Austin native who decided making music for people to have fun and party to is more important than joining an advertising firm. That decision has taken me to places far away from here to spread Austin's vibe all over the world and counting.

Whitaker is partner and general manager of Playing in Traffic Records/Loophole Management, the indie label and artist management home to Los Lonely Boys, Sahara Smith, SPEAK, and The Steps.

Niraj. Sneakerhead. Globetrotter in progress. Owner Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar.

Natalie is a non-profit attorney who recently moved back to Austin because she just couldn't handle not living in the best city in the country any longer. Lover of all things sports, music, food and puppies.

Troupe has done just about every audio-related job you could do in Austin, Texas, from engineering and producing albums to composing full video game scores and creating sound and voice over. He currently fronts the Post-Pop group SPEAK, which will be performing at both the ACL and Voodoo Festivals in October.

Ericka is a graphic designer from Los Angeles who currently calls Austin, Tx home. Her trendsetting style and undying passion for art and design have quickly made her a name to know on the Austin scene. Whether its Dj-ing, graphic design, publication design, photography or urban bike culture, Ericka's unique zest for life is seen in everything she does.

Neil aka Neiliyo is an electronic producer and performer from Austin, TX. Over the past two years he has performed at numerous events in Austin and around the US, while releasing several digital mixtapes and LPs that have received airplay from 101x, KVRX and more.

Amanda is a graduate of Texas State University and is currently the coordinator for the Music and Film office at the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Here she works closely with conventions, media, and the local music/film industry to coordinate events and promote Austin as the Live Music Capital of the World.

Candace is an event planner, graphic designer, and girl-about-town on the Austin nightlife circuit. Her event planning company, Electric Promotions regularly hosts bashes for Austin's up-and-coming musicians, visual artists, fashion designers, and crafters. Her clients and one-of-a-kind parties have been featured in The Austin American Statesman, Austin Monthly, Texas Monthly, the Austin Fashion Awards, on KVUE-TV, and more. She also has a weakness for animals, modern art, & vintage ephemera.

Dorian has been playing music in Austin for close to ten years now. When he's not performing, he can be found teaching psychology courses or conducting research for his doctorate in developmental psychology.

DJ Digg is a ten year veteran of Austin's downtown music scene. As a member of Table Manners Crew, owner of HOTT Bookings, and a solo artist, he strives to keep his performances accessible as well as thought provoking, pulling from a wide range of classic and undergorund genres as well as mainstream titles.

Grace is a recent graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in Music Business. Grace previously worked for Do512 and now works at High Road Touring.

Jack does bass and vocals for Bright Light Social Hour, the band recently named 'Best Indie Band' at the 2010 Austin Music Awards, In culmination of their long, studied development, the band just released their debut full-length album, simply titled "The Bright Light Social Hour".

Jeff co-founded Big Yellow Bus Entertainment to bring a new dimension to Austin's live music scene. We strive to take entertainment to the next level, with the diverse fusion of urban art, fashion and music--always giving back to those who ride "The Big Yellow Bus."

Jeremy has been in the Austin area since 1996 and has been involved with indie Texas music since 1993 in his home town of Lake Jackson Texas.While in Austin Jeremy has played in several different bands including The Panamerican Standard and Scorpion Child and has also been booking shows at known venues such as Whisky Bar and Beauty Bar.

Having spent the last 5 years in Los Angeles working in the film industry, Kent recently re-transplanted to Austin, Texas. When he is not getting his fill of breakfast tacos & BBQ, he collaborates with the, now multi-city based, indie/electronic act Letting Up Despite Great Faults.

And y’all know my mug. Roary was a little jealous, so he ended up trying to photobomb.

Chris is founder and editor of Republic of Austin, a popular award-winning blog that covers life, music and culture in Austin. After living in Berlin and San Francisco for 7 years, Chris returned to the city he loves in 2009.

So what does Austin’s music scene mean to you?

Should we protect our music culture?

What can YOU do to keep Austin weird?

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2 Responses leave one →
  1. October 6, 2010

    Do you think the acronym “AMP” is going to be confusingly similar to Austin Arts + Music Partnership “AAMP”?

    • October 6, 2010

      Only time will tell. Plus, I let the higher-ups worry about that sort of thing; my brain can only handle so much.

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