Local Music Part 1: How to find it

Let's talk about music! I don't mean your mainstream national, multi-national, or world-wide superstars. No, I mean the music that's taking place right under your nose in your local area.

My geographic location is very advantageous. Living near the direct middle between Milwaukee and Chicago, I hear a lot of great music and meet greater musicians. Most of it I never have to go more than 1 mile to see (I'd have to go even less than that if I were over 21. Damn you, bar shows!). I love my local scene and I want to help you discover yours so that you can love local too.

Starter Guide to finding local music:

Step 1: Approach this whole process with an open mind. Basically, don't discount a local band because they're not famous. Many people say that only famous bands are "real bands" and that mindset should get nipped in the bud right now. If they purposefully make music together, they are a band. Congratulations! You have completed all the steps. Everything else is a matter of methods.

The "just ask" method- Seriously! Just ask around. People to ask are those who are seen often with instruments, people wearing shirts for bands you haven't heard of (sometimes it works, sometimes not), and local music stores. A good generic thing to ask is "are there any good shows happening around here soon?"

The "printed word" method- Go out of your way to look for flyers and posters for bands, shows and festivals. You can find mass appealing music ads in local news papers and magazines. Flyers can often be found on electrical poles in high traffic areas, on the doors of bars and locally owned stores, and sometimes people can be found handing them out. Spending a day window shopping for flyers in a very happening place in your city is a great alternative for the shy and easily embarrassed.

Google it- If there's absolutely ANYTHING in your area at all, Google will likely have an answer. Type in your city, state and preferred genre (if you have one) at the very least, you usually get a website of a venue hosting an upcoming show. It gets easier and better if you find Facebook pages of local bands featuring their music and Youtube videos.

Once you find something, it becomes a bit like ancestry.com you get a link, and then another link and you keep collecting information and become a part of the local music scene. Eventually I'm going to post a fantastic list of all the bands I can find in the SE WI area so you can see what I'm into and check it out yourself.

Good luck!