A music community builds community.
That built community comes via the social contribution from its members; you’ve got a band that sits down and writes songs, ultimately playing out. People attend, they tell their friends, and larger crowds form at the shows. More bands form and play out. Next thing you know, you’ve got a whole slew of different people making music, as well as a crew of people who support it. If it’s done right, it’s healthy for everyone.
Throw a festival into the mix, and you’ve got a scene that invites bands into town while also giving your local musicians the home advantage on a festival stage. It’s what iAM MUSIC has been doing for eight of its 10-year existence, with the fall edition of its festival happening Friday and Saturday.
A multistage and multiband event, the bulk of the festival will take place on the Main, San Juan Smiles and Artesano’s stages – the Artesano’s stage is located inside Artesano’s art-space; the Main Stage is in the parking lot of 2nd Avenue Sports; the Smiles stage is on Seventh Street, and late-night shows will take place at the Animas City Theatre. With more than 20 regional and local performers, it’s a stacked event of independent music, a full effort from a growing music community where the festival organizers are always on the hunt for talent.
WHAT: iAM MUSIC Fest featuring multiple bands on multiple stages.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday.
WHERE: Various stages around Seventh Street and East Second Avenue.
TICKETS: Single day $30/$35, weekend $55.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.iammusicfest.us.
“I think personally what I’ve seen over the years, it’s kind of like a movement. How do we support a network of independent artists? So, when we’re touring and meeting people, we’re trying to keep our eyes open for somebody who is talented and has a mission-driven project. How do we get them in front of more audiences in the Southwest? It’s definitely fandom, but it also, how do we support each other? How do create this network so the audiences can enjoy, and the community and students can see how artists work together,” asked Ashley Edwards, co-founder and Creative Director of iAM MUSIC. “ It’s a build it and they will come kind of thing.”
One thing iAM MUSIC Festival organizers try to do is highlight musicians who have more on their plate than just play and tour; many of the bands on the bill are involved with iAM MUSIC as teachers – taking the teacher from the classroom to the stage is just another way to strengthen your music community.
“We try to highlight artists in town that are working to support the music,” said iAM MUSIC Program Director and co-founder Jesse Ogle. “We like to highlight some of the artists that are inside of iAM MUSIC, helping run this thing. We have people that are involved that have bands at the festival. Elder Grown, Tone Dog, J. Calvin. That’s a cool thing, to find artists still involved in their community, giving back, making this whole ecosystem a better place in the world through music.”
That ecosystem remains loaded with people who are just flat out, die-hard and forever music fans. That goes for both patron and performer, the latter of which you’ll likely find out in the crowd digging the festival when they’re not on stage. For Jay Harootunian, guitar player and vocalist of local band Mojo Birds (formerly Haro in the Dark), its all about seeing new bands as much as it is playing your set.
“It’s a great way to meet people, too. You spend a lot of time in the audience, you want to see the bands, so you get to hang out with the audience, you’re part of it, too. It’s definitely more intermingling and you’re part of a bigger event rather than going to play a show,” Harootunian said. “That’s what I love about it.”
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
