With all the hype about buying local, homegrown produce, why not share this philosophy with Ottawa’s local, homegrown musicians? There is plenty of fresh talent in this city — organic and unfertilized by the music industry’s standards.
Audiences spend so much time listening to world-famous tunes on the radio but fail to support the talent that lives so close. What if the Liverpudlians at the Cavern Club never gave the Beatles a chance? Perhaps the local fan base the Beatles created there was what drew their manager-to-be, Brian Epstein, to come check out the lads and bring them to fame. There are always musicians to be discovered but they can’t reach success on their own. The fans are what make the band and if they’re not there to back them, no record label will back them either.
How about taking some time to explore the small venues that often showcase local artists? It pays to acquire a diverse music library so that when hidden talent hits it big, you can pat yourself on the back — and brag to your jealous friends — for being there for the first show at Maverick’s, for buying the band’s record that was produced in the drummer’s basement, for dishing out only $12 for a ticket rather than a $50 ticket at Scotiabank Place, and for knowing you helped a starving artist.
There is no need to give up on the glammed-up bands of MTV, but spread some love to the band next door.