So you want to talk about racism in the alt music scene?
Okay. Then let’s do something constructive about it.
Note: I personally think looking toward a celebrity / rock star / influencer / fandom BNF for performative allyship is a waste of time. I think there’s a lot of nuance lost in generational and life experience gaps and I’m not going to engage in that conversation.
What I want to do instead is focus on what I can do for myself and my local community to take active steps in making the alt music scene are more inclusive and less racist space. I’m a big believer in building up and supporting your local music scene as much as possible, so the (totally not comprehensive, but def a starting point) list I’ve curated below will reflect those core values I hold for myself.
BROADLY, QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:
What POC artists are you listening to? Are you buying their albums? Buying their merch? Requesting their songs at your local radio station?
When shows return post-pandemic - will you go see any local POC artists?
Are you able to use your contacts to help these artists books shows?
Maybe request the local music club to book certain bands? Show promoters will listen if there seems to be enough interest for them to make money on ticket sales/door fees. (You can usually google your local music venue + booking to try and find this information)
College music stations - if you’re in a college town - there’s a great opportunity to get involved (esp if you’re a student) with helping curate what music gets put in rotation.
Are you able to host a show? House shows are the ULTIMATE music scene DIY - if you’re in a position to offer up your house/space as a venue for bands to come and play, why not make a point to seek out POC artists and have them be part of the line up?
SoFarSounds.com is another great avenue for the house show route.
DIVERSIFY YOUR NARRATIVE:
Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk
The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB’s: A Secret History of Jewish Punk
Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix
Punk Rock Hora: Adventures in Jew-Punk Land
Evolution of Modern Popular Music: A history of Blues, Jazz, Country, R&B, Rock and Rap
Violence Girl: East L.A. Rage to Hollywood Stage, a Chicana Punk Story
The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band
Shout, Sister, Shout!: The Untold Story of Rock-And-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Racism in the Punk/Alternative Scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgekmBGt4E8
The Very Black History of Punk Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgIWDZ1xxdM
The Very Latinx History of Punk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSyo1zd9jcw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZKcd8Dn0SA
Anarchy in the Philippines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtSZt_KeiGU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c29lJ3U_A0
Your Favorite Entertainer is Problematic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sru88ArTFw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlQ-KxS5xUs
HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSICIANS WITH DONATIONS & SUPPORT:
https://www.musicandyouth.org/opportunity-gap/
https://www.colorincolorado.org/booklist/music-kids-hispanic-heritage
https://www.harmony-project.org/
http://www.musicunites.org/
https://www.musicforallseasons.org/who-we-serve/youth-at-risk/ (New Jersey!!)
https://www.latinoartsinc.org/
https://aimusic.us/new-student.php
https://www.rcmusic.com/learning/learning-through-the-arts/indigenous-programs
Or Google your city + “youth music programs” or “youth after school programs” and volunteer / donate / support!
romaincrisis
stormborns
blakekathryn
gracieabrams
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