![[SeMissourian.com]](http://www.semissourian.com/images/nameplate.gif)
|
|
Cape is a music city
Posted Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 9:54 AM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
I don't know if you've had a chance to read my column in SE Live this week (check your newspaper today for a copy), but I want your feedback.
Basically, my argument is this: Cape Girardeau's best cultural asset is the rather large, and in many cases very talented, crop of musicians that live and perform here. We're talking bands playing anything from jazz to straight-up heavy metal. Now, this isn't to say our visual artists and theater people aren't talented, or that they don't add to our culture. But, let's face it, the music scene is alive, with bands playing all the time, some of them creating some very, very good music. I've heard some bloggers complain that the local music scene is just for college kids. I'd have to disagree, using the examples of people like Mike Renick and Bruce Zimmerman, who play to crowds made up of people of all ages. Your thoughts? Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
Hot topics
Your thoughts on the Oscars(24 ~ 11:55 AM, Mar 4)
Jerry Ford to play big benefit
Show Me Center scores a sell out
Rock star to Huckabee: Quit stealing my music
Cape is a music city
|
![[Feed icon]](http://medialab.semissourian.com/images/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon}
I don't think we have a very talented music scene if you've been/have lived in another bigger city. I think are arts are much better as of right now. We need to have more concerts in the park, and the summer series at the court house. Stuff like that makes a better music scene. And the Galleries should maybe get some musicians in to perform at their showings. You know make their showings a wine and cheese affair, jazz, blues, classical musician, whatever they think fits the current display.
The big problem with the music scene crowd is the Tween/scenester kids. You have them in every city, but in a small city like this, they really stick out. And older audiences do not want to deal with disrespectful tween/scenesters ..and one bad experience can turn an older more conservative crowd off, that's all it takes. Do I agree with their quick judgments? No, but that's the reality of living in conservative town.
Also, a lot of the bands are not breaking any molds. Once we get a band to do something pretty different that can attract all audience, then Cape's scene will take off. In other words, we need our own "Maroon 5" or "Coldplay" a band that appeals to all ages and backgrounds.
Renick is very talented. In fact too talented to still be based out of Cape.
Besides Renick and Zimmerman there is nothing.
Cape is not a music city yet. Maybe some day.
Look at Cape Girardeau natives that have gone elsewhere! Foster McGinty is coming back to play this weekend, Stephen Limbaugh has a really awesome sound with his new band Kingsley, based out of LA. Not to mention groups like Promise to Burn and Mike Renick (playing at 2 North Friday night). Other notable groups: The Intention, Mika Evans Project, the list goes on and on!
There is definitely fun to be had! All too often I've already made plans by the time I find out- but not this weekend! See you downtown!
The Intention and the Mika Evans Project are two of the funnest bands to see, no matter where you're from. Any time either one of them play at a bar, it is packed. Love love love these two bands!!!!
Swan,
Go jump in the river might cool you off! I'm still laughing at the list you provided and the fact that obviously we don't match up. I don't believe Matt is implying that we do he just supports the little scene we have here! I know how tough it is trust me somewhat involved in promoting, but this city needs more of a positive response to it's downtown "Old Town" because I think everyone goes other places and sees the true potential that Cape has, yet we might have to switch residents, Residents who support a more artistic scene instead of Cage Match Ultimate Fighting Challenge! Sure I would like a little more variety, but I wouldn't risk shelling out the bucks to get them here!
I love Cape's Music scene. The college town I live in has no scene at all. I think many of the people posting are naive to some of the younger talent in the area. I can list tons of the local acts I would enjoying seeing when I go out, young AND old. Plus the genres of these bands are expansive. I think of Cape as a music town. I have been an actively follower of our scene for years and I couldn't be more pleased. How many people know we had a show at the Enchanted Forest on Monday that featured major label acts? Well, we did. If you compare the size of Cape to other cities of its size I would bet our scene would completely dominate.
Although I'm not a 'scenester' as this new wave of teenage music lovers are called. What's so bad about it? Its the same with every generation. We've had bobby soxers, hip swigers, long hair in the 70's, metal kids in the 80's, grungers in the 90's. Every generation has their niche. God forbid the kids are passionate about something.
I have yet to find a good music venue in Cape. Walking through the middle of the band to enter Rude Dog and seeing a band crammed in the corner at Moxy definitely doesn't qualify them as being a good music venue. What are the chances Phil Brinson would turn the Esquire Theater into a music venue, much like the Copper Dragon in Carbondale?
While everyone is arguing about the Cape music scene, come to Stooges in Jackson Saturday night and enjoy The Melroys from 8:00 until midnight.
http://www.themelroys.com/
good plug Jason37
Phil Brinson is not the answer? Cape does need a smaller than Show Me Center Venue for good acts, 500 to 1500 people.
I agree with Matt. Just not the club scene but other venues as well. What about the Jerry Ford Orchestra(Big Band)?Jerry Ford and Narvol Randol are two of the best trumpet players anywhere. Ever been to a Muny Band concert during the summer? What about bass guitarist Gabe"Big Poppa"Montgomery? Is thte dixieland group "Water Street Five" still around? Lots and lots of hidden talent right here in Cape.
Pittsburgh will always be known as a Football town remember we are the only team wearing a Super Bowl ring on our thumb! I really need the Giants to win! Since I live here and can't watch the Steelers unless I'm willing to go to Buffalo Wild Wings I look for music when I go out and so far I'm completely content with the music, I moved here from New Orleans #1 on your list. I lived across the street from Ivan Neville and around the corner from Archie Manning (Uptown) New Orleans! A good city with a mix of sports and arts (music) Do you know what it means to Miss New Orleans! Just making the best of where I'm at! Can't Stomach Buffalo Wild Wings though!
The biggest thing missing from making Cape a decent music town is a good college radio station. Yes, over at SEMO they have KRCU playing NPR programming and KDMC playing generic alt-rock on a 10 watt transmitter that barely covers a 5 to 10 block radius, but we don't have a true freeform college station like KCOU(Columbia), KMNR(Rolla), KWUR (St. Louis), etc..
I've lived in towns of 10,000-15,000 people who had much better music scenes than Cape and the #1 reason was because they had a college with an independent station. Having that connection gives lots of airplay to local acts, brings in more touring bands(particularly those after spots on the CMJ charts), gives a venue for students to promoted shows for free and just generally seems to become the central hub of the local music scene.
There is a an alternate radio station at SEMO @ 103.7.
longtime_cape_resident: 103.7 is the KDMC station I mentioned it is only 10 watts so the signal doesn't even carry all the way across the SEMO campus(though it is carried by the campus CCTV system) let alone to the other 95% of the city of Cape. And it is not at all like freeform format college radio, as far I as know their DJs cannot pick whatever music they wish to play but must stick to the stations format and use its very limited collection of generic alt-rock songs that are no different than those in the libraries of the local commercial rock stations. As the station currently stands it is basically only a training lab for communications majors and not a viable standalone radio station.
Steelerfan-
FYI - The SF 49er's also have a Super Bowl ring on their thumb, and they have a perfect 5-0 record in the SB, while the Steelers are 5-1. Don't slam me, I'm a Steeler fan from way back.
Why compare Cage Fighting/MMA to live music? They're apples & oranges. Cage Fighting vs. Monster Trucks, and live music vs. theatre would be better comparisons. Personally, I enjoy all the above, just depends on what flavor I'm in the mood for.
Matt-
Considering Cape only has a population around 35,000, I think the area has a solid music scene. It's not a mecca, but on any weekend within a 20 minute drive you could see Renick, Zimmerman, Melroys, Dirty 30's, Uncle Bob, The Futz, John D. Hale, Fists of Phoenix, Drivin' Rain, Saxy Jazz, Jerry Ford, etc, etc. A lil' something for just about everyone.
Isn't it funny that someone named "learntowrite" would write something like: "I think are arts are much better as of right now."
I didn't know that "are" and "our" were interchangeable. :^)
Oh... and Steelersfan... Have you ever heard of the San Francisco 49ers or Dallas Cowboys? Last I checked, they have Super Bowl rings on their thumbs as well.
KDMC is actually around 50 watts. It's a low power fm station operating at its maximum power, which is determined by the elevation of the antenna. The signal reaches a LOT farther than what has been described. LP-FM stations are by definition primarily available to educational institutions. So yes, it is predominantly a lab for communications students. The playlist is determined by the station's music director which changes every year due to graduation. They also play local music every hour on the hour. Personally, I think the students and the community are fortunate to have KDMC. It's a great learning tool for the department.
Heldo: I'm not bashing KDMC, but you should really compare it to other college stations around our state
Rolla gets KMNR (450 Watts, freeform),
Kirksville gets KTRM(1000 Watts, open format/educational).
Both towns are smaller than Cape and both have colleges with enrollment less than SEMOs. Why can't we have something as nice?
Nil: I understand what you're saying about signal strength. Every radio station wants a bigger stick!
The format is up to the discretion of the faculty and student staff. I can assure you (as a former student); the student staff is encouraged, and given every opportunity, to do format-bending specialty shows. I can think of several that have aired in the past that focused on music/culture that get absolutely no attention in this area. It was refreshing and definitely something I believe we need more of around here.
I would say the variety of music (or lack thereof) has more to do with the student staff and announcers than anything. It's their laboratory. It's only going to be as diverse and creative as the student staff wants it to be.
Music City? Yeah...right.
You don't sit around and wait for some kinda music scene to magically appear in your backyard. You get off your ass and create one. If the urge hits you, you can go to any pub or coffee house or dance hall or house of worship on any given evening in Cape and the surrounding areas and find something that is going to cater to your musical tastes.
If you're looking for a dixieland trad Christian polka death metal country rap and blues band; it's not happening. Anywhere. But, with a little effort you can find something musical that suits your fancy around here. Go check em out and be sure to tip your bartender.
Or go see Rambo or a tractor pull. Read a book and flunk a test, nobody cares what you do. Just please stop sitting around whining about your imaginary notions of a lack of musical endeavors in this area.
Matt- I know what you are saying. I'll try to explain it to those who missed it.
As far as "arts" go in this town, Cape has more music than anything else.
I don't wanna say this again, but I will.
I am SICK of people sitting around and complaining about the "scene" or lack there of in this town.
Go out and do something... People complain, 'the SMC needs to bring a "real" rock band.' Tool came and it was barely half full.
Most people don't care. I have lived in this town for 20+ years and it is always the same old BS. They complain to just complain. Way to go semo!!
Sure Cape could use a higher powered "college rock" station... wait they sort of had one... what was it 107.1 or something... they changed the format becuase it was too hard to get ad dollars to it, and suprisingly enough Cape would just sit on their butts and complain about that station too.
This town doesn't know how many touring bands have come to this town and played a show. They don't know how many people get turned away because the ones who have to pony up the money knows that Cape WILL NOT support it and they will go in the hole.
Cape has a brand new medium sized venue for national touring bands at the River Campus. Nothing will happen there, the college knows no one will come out to the shows and they don't want to lose money on that deal either. So, they will stick to plays and things that alumni and their clients will support.
Why would someone sink a silly amount of money into a venue for this town when no one will show up?
Agreed J Sohn!
I don't like going to the movies. So from my point of view there is no movie "scene" in this area.
There were multiple choices for the music fan to partake in this weekend. The always excellent Melroys in Jackson. A two-fer show from the popular Mike Renick Band and Promise to Burn in Cape. A pajama party themed party from local legends Drivin' Rain in Illmo. There is a great country band that plays every Friday evening at the American Legion in Jackson. Karoke galore. Several national touring acts hit the stage over at the Forest for the youngsters.
That is just the stuff I can remember off the top of my head.
Oh yeah, garage rockers The Futz and hillbilly punks The Dead or Alives over at Schock's Friday night.
All that on a nothing weekend in late January!
I have been playing music in this area for (wow!) twenty years now. Honestly, this is the healthiest the local music scene has been in over a decade.
Lumpy the Wise Man wrote:
>>I have been playing music in this area for (wow!) twenty years now. Honestly, this is the healthiest the local music scene has been in over a decade.
I agree. Other comments about needing a real venue to cement things are spot on IMO. The trick is to make something that can sustain itself - the owner still has to make the monthly nut. That means "cover bands". There is insufficient population to support an all original music venue. It's hard enough in STL, let alone in Cape.
And keep in mind - Cape is a town with a college, not a college town. This is an often overlooked but significant difference.
YesThatDoug,
I'm a Wise Ass, not a Wise Man.
A "real" all music venue would be great, but you said it yourself that Cape can't support it. I have played with bands from Nashville and Carbondale the past two weeks and from what I can gather those traditional music hot spots are drying up.
The same thing has already happened in St Louis, especially with the recent closing of Mississippi Nights.
As usual this area is behind the times. I have been witnessing a renaissance of sorts in the local music scene.
Bob Camp opened his club back up. On Main St there can be as many as five spots to take in live music on any given weekend night. Stooges in Jackson has been hosting live music in addition to the aftermentioned American Legion on Friday nights and Enchanted Forest on Broadway. Paul Schock's great pub in Illmo is garnering a well earned reputation as one of the best live music venues between Memphis and St. Louis. There is always the VFW and Eagles clubs. I can even get decent gigs in Chaffee and Oran.
I don't know how long it will last, but traditionally bad economic times are good for bars and bands. We may compete each other out of buisness though.
But right now all this diversity is good for the local musicians (especially!) and the out of towners driving in.
And the college crowd can make or break a gig; more so downtown than elsewhere. Some of the best audiences I've played have been college kids. When booking a show downtown I bank on the college schedule as do most club owners. From my point of view the "Cape not a college town" argument does'nt hold much water.
One alarming trend I have noticed is that while there are plenty of places for local musicians to play, and plenty of local musical acts, the number of musicians on stage is dwindling. There are more three piece bands around here than I've ever seen; seems that not as many folks are playing music. Maybe this musical upswing can change that also.
>>The same thing has already happened in St Louis, especially with the recent closing of Mississippi Nights.
Yes, but there are new venues popping up. The Bluebird and 2 Cent Plain are open. The Gramophone will be open in six weeks. The Old Rock House is running bands (I think) six nights per week, with a singer/songwriter type for happy hour. These venues present opportunities never available at Mississippi Nights.
And, these places went to the trouble and expense to do in-house production. Granted, some of it should have been done differently but at least they did it.
Point taken on your POV about Cape not being a college town, but we'll have to agree to disagree on that one :-) My POV is a true college town nightlife environment is driven by students, and Southeast is not large enough to send that many over-21 students into the fray. Of those over 21, some large percentage don't care about live music, and some other percentage don't even care about going out.
Schools with 20K plus enrollment would be much more of a factor re: live entertainment simply because of sheer numbers.
>>Why would someone sink a silly amount of money into a venue for this town when no one will show up?
I think anyone who has seriously run numbers, and spent any time looking at the Cape area over a number of years, would come to the same conclusion. Some hybrid of bar/grill/restaurant/venue, with revenue potential outside of hoping somone might show up to see a band would stand a far better chance. But just a music venue, no way in the long run IMO.
It would help that the Showme Center focuses more on musical talent coming to Cape. . .there are all kinds of genre out there nowadays. The Director of the Center should consider branching out a little to see what he can get to come here out of the many genres.
vietnamvet
They know country sells. They are trying to sell rock. Anything else will be probably booked at their new "medium sized venue" because they know it won't sell.
They made a huge mistake by booking Buddy Guy, he should have played the River Campus. If they thought he would sell out the SMC they are silly.