I don't want to call it a "trend" because trends are typically temporary, but there has been a notable increase in the number of individuals who began shopping locally, recently. While it's more convenient to take two lefts and a right to get to the Publix half a mile down the road, waking up a tad earlier and driving just a smidge further to your local Farmer's Market is way more satisfying. Not only is it rewarding you with the freshest produce, but it's contributing to boosting our own local economy. Imagine if everyone had this giving-back mindset, and the impact it could make if they contributed it to the music industry. Not to undermine the progress we've made and the positive results we've seen, but I know if we keep an economy conscious attitude then our city and our music can thrive.
Think about your favorite band; their songs that occupy your most overplayed playlist; their lyrics stuck in your head day after day. This band probably wouldn't be your favorite band if it wasn't for the unending support from their hometown. Not every musical endeavor is a success story from day one. We are so consumed with the popular music on our mainstream radio stations that we completely overlook the exceptional musicians begging for our attention.
In a number of ways, supporting your best friend's brother's garage band or even the local artist your cousin told you about can enhance our community. The $10 admission you pay to get into your favorite bar downtown makes more of an effect than you would imagine. By supporting that artist or band, you are in turn, supporting the establishment and their employees as well. The money you spend on a t-shirt or bracelet from the merch table goes back to the local screen printing company and it doesn't stop there. That really hip record shop you frequent on the weekends is also benefiting when you buy that same band's EP or the posters on their wall.
Supporting local music purely for the experience is perfectly acceptable as well. If I had to choose between a show at an arena with a capacity of 15,000 plus, or a smaller venue that maxes out at 200, I would undoubtedly choose the latter. There’s something intoxicating about sharing a crowded venue with enthusiastic strangers and leaning on a beer-soaked barrier that seats 32 and 34 in row 176 can’t provide. The experience is way more intimate than sitting in the lawn or squinting to see the lead singer from afar. Along with the more personal experience, you can potentially meet the bands as well. It’s not uncommon for the musicians to spend the time before their set at the bar, or hanging out at the merch table afterwards. Smaller shows are extremely casual which means you can easily strike up conversation with the cute drummer. (perk!)
Lead singer of Glass House Point and Lakeland native, Dylan Graham provided a lot of insight on his personal journey of making it in music, stating, “We benefit from local support directly in that the more people who come out, the more profitable our band becomes. Having the approval of the local scene also gives us a lot of credibility, which ultimately allows our band to make lasting impressions on potential fans and venues.”
GHP consists of Dylan Graham (vocals/guitar), Ian Campbell (Bass), Noah Feldman (Violin/Piano) Jansen Valk (Drums) and Dylan Methot (Mandolin/Guitar) and they are taking Central Florida by storm. I became a fan of this incredibly talented band a few months back when they were performing at The Social. I went primarily to support a friend’s band but left completely in awe of their performance. There’s nothing I love more than when a band covers another song I’m already in love with and do it justice. That night at The Social, GHP did their own rendition of “Mountain at my Gate” by the Foals and I remember telling my friend that I loved their version as equally as the original. Graham sings every lyric with conviction it’s inspiring. Feldman and Methot play the Violin and Mandolin with such ease, it is truly a joy to watch. And both Campbell and Valk play the Drums and Bass with an unprecedented level of skill.
The proof that local music contributes to a healthy economy is undeniable, and I can personally confirm that the exposure to live music in a smaller setting makes for a truly unforgettable experience. If those two reasons are not convincing enough, then I hope the fact that the musicians are there solely for your entertainment will be. Dylan Graham again summed it up perfectly when he stated “We always perform with the intention to leave it all on stage... and I can say with confidence that if you see Glass House Point live, we will give you the show you deserve.”
Immersing yourself exclusively in mainstream music doesn’t give you the opportunity to foster something fervent. I encourage you to actively seek out the dynamic bands in your hometown that I know reside there, and keep the voice of your community alive.
Listen to Glass House Point in your free time! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXuwF-ifd8Mf0F8mN1KnvqcKmGM7rZwei&app=desktop
