I was lucky enough to spend this weekend submerged in the local music scene of Laramie, Wyoming. Well, maybe not the whole weekend…more like a Friday night. Either way, that night inspired me to write a blog post about the importance of supporting your local music scene.
I have been a long time believer in this idea. Even when I lived in Cheyenne for the majority of my life, I tried my hardest to be involved with local music. Most of my sophomore year in high school was spent going to a local venue that was only a few blocks away from my best friend’s house. We used to go to a show every weekend that there was one and the friends I made were one of the best parts of that experience.
That’s one of the most amazing things about music. The communities it can build of people from different backgrounds who are going through all of their own things. This is what drew me to music in the first place.
About two years later, I graduated high school and decided that I was going to move up to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming. (This wasn’t my original plan, but it worked out in the end!)
It took me about six months to get involved in the local scene in Laramie. I was fortunate to land a job at the school paper writing features about bands, whether they were traveling or local ones. It was amazing to get to know all of the people behind the very talented music scene of Laramie and I continue to do it today.
This is one reason I support the local scene. They support me when I need experience writing about what I’ve dreamt of writing about for years, so why not support them? It is the least I can do.
I mentioned the connections that have been made over my 2 1/2 years in Laramie. This is another reason I support the local scene. The connections I have made have blossomed into some pretty great friendships, and who doesn’t love being able to go support their friends at their shows? It’s one of the best feelings ever.
While I understand that not everyone has the help of a job like mine to get so involved, I still think it’s important for everyone to show up and support. If you see a flier around town that catches your eye, but you aren’t sure if you should go to the show – go. Don’t know what kind of music they play, but you’re still interested? Go.
To me, one of the most important parts of local music scenes is the audience showing up to watch the show. The music is obviously also very important, but if people aren’t showing up to support their friends or community members, why are they having the show in the first place?
I can personally say that in Laramie we have a ton of amazingly talented human beings that have decided to share their talents with all of the lucky people living here, and we should all be grateful for that. Seriously.
If you don’t take much away from this brief blog post, just take away the fact that these people in your town are putting themselves out there creatively and the least we can do is support that. It takes so much to put your art out there and it is important for communities to come together and support one another. That’s how art grows and that’s how music stays alive.
With that being said, get out there yah little rascals and support your local music scene!