DIY Music Will Save Us

I live in a very isolating part of the U.S. - deep south, thoroughly reactionary; hostile to most, if not all alternative subcultures.

I suppose that's exactly why these alternative subcultures are so protectionist. The perceived gatekeeping is a defense mechanism to keep the adherents safe.

Bands and scenes spring up all the time. Different genres draw different crowds, but the overlap is massive. People want to feel included in every possible facet that reinforces their identity, their choices. Hardcore scenes and indie/alt may not have a lot of genre overlap, but when it comes to building a local scene, all are needed.

Each and every band builds on the foundation of their forebears. Even if some music doesn't match your style, odds are good at a local show you're running into at least one band that fits your niche. The camaraderie is especially valuable in times like this. Local music is a foundation of community that has been stomped out repeatedly - creating a old/new space for individuality in a collective environment.

Many of these songs I've linked here are what I would consider foundational to my regional scene. In a previous post I mentioned my intro to this scene was in ~2017-2018. Dogwood Lung (now defunct/splintered into others) was my first 1 degree of separation band. I organized with one of the members for some community building project we aligned. In turn, I received an invite into the fold of our local scene. You don't need an invite - these events aren't guest-listed - just show up, enjoy the experience.

Dogwood Lung was special in its relative "approachability" compared to more experimental music in the sphere. Mellow grooves, intricate guitar parts, exceptional vocal delivery courtesy of one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of meeting. One of my favorite memories from this time period was a Halloween party hosted nearby with this band playing for our evening soundscape. I later lived in the house that the band occupied, while rifling through old left behind books and notes I found a variety of sources influencing their writing.

I don't believe I know enough to be a historian for the band, but it was a revelatory experience to see the firsthand evidence of how it was built.

Why will DIY music save us? With a disconnected, fully online society we forget how close allies may be. Our senses of community have become flawed, thinking our closest allies are hundreds of miles away in larger cities where the "real movement" is now centered. We forget that even in a very connected online world, the connections in physical space are still happening. People are organizing and working together to build something beautiful.

I encourage you to share in the wealth of joy and kinship that local music provides; and also drop some local bands in the comments that you love. I'll leave you with a few more delicacies from the south.