Often known by the garage band cliché, underground artists have been gaining attention lately. Artists such as The Front Bottoms and Modern Baseball, which started off as small college-radio bands, are now appearing at popular music events like Lollapalooza and at venues like Webster Hall in New York. Other popular bands, especially in the alternative rock genre, started off small, too, but the indie niche has its own way of doing things.
Back in New York, specifically the Hudson Valley, there exists a large, tight-knit group of rockers. Artists whose names often do not exist outside the area roll off the tongue, and simply mentioning the name of a venue will help you make friends. Not to mention, the venues themselves are quite amazing: barns, garages and basements are just a few of the locations DIY-lovers flock to. This group bases itself on the idea of community at its core. Weekend tours often lead to grabbing a bite with some newly met fans and staying the night at a friend-of-a-friend’s house. The best part: this community is not restricted to the Hudson Valley.
Fast forward, or south, really, to Broward County. Local music joints like Underground Coffeehaus and Radio-Active Records, among others, host events for lesser-known musicians who rely on internet services like YouTube and Bandcamp to survive. These venues are no different than the ones in New York: quick connections and lasting friendships. And once you know one venue, the invitations to other events flow. The list of great places to see beginning and experienced artists alike quickly forms and fun events pop up basically every other weekend.
One of the best aspects of the indie community is the fact that most bands in the scene help each other as much as possible. Whether it’s booking a gig and helping another band perform, recommending high quality, affordable merchandise production or even recording the newly-formed band in a basement recording studio, most bands look out for each other.
Even better is that there’s something for everyone. The music within the scene is predominantly alternative, but acoustic, ska, basic electronica and spoken word poets have all found a spot within the community and thrived. Metal bands help out the banjo-wielding acoustic artists; acoustic artists help out the ska band from out of state; the ska band helps bring people to a venue, and the cycle continues.
Speaking of banjos and the inclusiveness of the underground scene, a great aspect of the underground music scene is the experimentalism. Artists use banjos, harmonicas, violins, ukuleles and so much more unconventionally in songs that are still predominantly rock. The interesting difference in music, when done correctly, is refreshing and fun.
Overall, the underground music scene offers a refreshing take on today’s music. The sense of a second family and a safe place to just be yourself is inviting and heartwarming, and the opportunities to express yourself are seemingly endless. One of the mottos of the community resonates: keep DIY alive.
