RTP-area local music and culture

[James Hepler <jameshepler AT yahoo.com>]

--- DJ Sad <djsad AT sapoverde.net> wrote:

> hmm, I know this has come up before
> Here's a couple of thoughts:
> 
> 1. My impression is that the average age of folks
> attending is older than it used to be in the
> mid-90s.  This of course could be a entirely
> self-selecting observation.

Maybe, but an interesting observation.  Ten years ago
that was ME going to see all flavors of local bands
and buying CD's.  Now, I don't get out nearly as much
to see bands I don't know.  That may reflect to a
degree my role in the death of the scene (if I can't
define the scene, I can't begin to fathom it's
demise), but it also suggests that there aren't many
kids currently enrolled at UNC that have the love that
I had.

I think it's time for En Garde to break down some
walls.  Walls built of indie-cred cards.  That don't
exist.  Or might.

> 2. And to add, from talking with folks who lived
> here and went to local music shows ten years ago --
> I feel like there is a lot less interconnectedness
> between musicians in local bands and UNC students
> (esp recent grads) than there used to be.  

Depends on what "used to be" is.  A conducted a survey
in like 1996 of random students encountered in the
pit.  I gave out questionnaires.  I was amazed to see
how few were the least bit interested in hearing a
band live for the first time.  More than 80% responded
that even if the show were on campus and free, they
wouldn't go unless they already knew who theband was. 
The same people responded that their primary means of
discovering new artists was commercial radio.  So the
disconnect goes back pretty far in my experience.

The thing is, with several tens of thousands of
students, if 10% like going to shows regularly and
seeing new bands, that's still enough to fill several
Local 506's.  

But I wonder how many students know the membership
policy at the 506.  I don't even know the policy, and
the web site is down right now.  

> I have never been to Teasers.

It's the best the dancers the central durham.

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