The Honey Gitters' first tour outside of Colorado covered about 2500 miles and only 2 gigs. Other factors aside, this was not the most financially feasible way to run a band tour, especially with unleaded going for $3.50 per gallon. But being a musician is all about harmony and balance (not just referring to the notes and rhythms); we have so many other ways to measure value besides just dollars. Like a lot of the Fort Collins bands I've had the pleasure of hearing or working with, our band members have roots in Fort Collins such as dayjobs, families, or simply a love of our location and what it has to offer. Living in such a good place makes it a bit less enticing to be a constantly touring band living out of the van, eating meals at convenience stores when it's time to fill the tank. Fort Collins' musicians don't just live here; they are part of the community.
I have always heard of Austin as one of the finest musical cities in the nation...an oasis of art and culture in the middle of a LARGE state that generally lacks it overall. It is rumored that somewhere around 2000 bands of all genres and levels of experience (amateur to professional) make the trek to the festival, some looking to make an impression on the hordes of music industry 'suits' who attend, some looking to experience the scene, make new fans, or as just another stop on a life of near constant touring. With so many bands from all over converging on the same destination, it is a challenge to get a paying gig anywhere close to the city for a band that has never been to the area and therefore has no local following. Add to that the facts that the Honey Gitters' route was through the Texas panhandle (not known for it's thriving music scene), during the middle of the week, and the choice seemed clear that we should just head straight for the destination.
Upon stepping out of the vehicle on 6th street in downtown Austin, we four unsuspecting musicians experienced an aural assault from every possible direction. So many bands playing at so many bars, simultaneously vying for the attention of the throngs of SXSW attendees filling the streets. Almost every bar had multiple bands on multiple stages, each seemingly attempting to outdo the others by playing louder than the rest and employing a barker at the entrance enticing passers-by with free drinks or food. At one point I could count at least 6 distinct bands audible from the middle of 6th street. It was a music lovers' paradise, as well as a giant headache.
The SpokesBUZZ event held at the 512 bar was a similar format to this SXSW status quo, with a few very notable exceptions. Their focus was on quality and variety as well as quantity. It actually felt like a little Fort Collins inside this Texas bar, with everything from a relatively small selection of our local music (with 11+ bands, that's only a taste of what our town has musically), a stack of Scene magazines to show off the rest of the bands who didn't make the trek, local art and photography hung on the walls, Fort Collins beverages (if you've ever had a Lone Star beer then you know that this is yet another example of our vision of quality vs. quantity), and even a Zero Hero recycling/waste sorting tent to demonstrate Fort Collins' vision of a better way to live.
SpokesBUZZ is a non-profit dedicated to fostering and promoting Fort Collins arts and culture by building global awareness of what Fort Collins residents have. My experience of the SXSW event that SpokesBUZZ put together showed me that a good way to start on that mission is to build Fort Collins' awareness of what Fort Collins has. I have always felt there was a high quality music scene in our city, with a large and varied number of bands, genres, and venues, but never realized until now that I have been taking it for granted this entire time. While other promoters just booked a bunch of bands and turned it up to 11, SpokesBUZZ' more comprehensive vision of Fort Collins' art, culture, and community turned our experience into a real eye opener in terms of the value of what we have right at home.
All the bands really brought their A-game. A musical highlight for me was Musketeer Gripweed's finale with its rock-out revelry. I discovered while chatting with many of the attendees that we made an real impression on a lot of folks from other places (some not even from this continent!); they will not soon forget the experience they had at the 512. When the event was over, the bands dispersed and diluted into the streets of Austin. The Honey Gitters' itinerary took us across west Texas through the night (after a Texas sized BBQ dinner), and on into southwest New Mexico to Silver City.
Was I overstimulated when the Gitters left Austin? Yes. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! We are all looking forward to returning to SXSW if we are lucky enough to be invited back next year. 2012 will be the third year of SpokesBUZZ' cultural conquest of Austin and it gets bigger every time.
Our experience in Silver City was pretty much exactly the opposite of Austin. Both were amazing and pleasurable. Rather than being one of 2000 bands in town, we were THE band in town, as evidenced by our huge picture on the front page of the Silver City Sun News and a poster in almost every storefront promoting our show at the Buckhorn Saloon in Pinos Altos, about 15 minutes from Silver City.
We saw all the same faces and many more at our performance that night. We played an earlier dinner time set, and then a later, much more rowdy set for the night owls of Pinos Altos. I was invited by a local bluegrass musician to sit in with his band, the Silver City String Beans, the following evening at a little cafe in downtown Silver City. I fully enjoyed that experience...chalk ANOTHER one up for music being the catalyst for great friendships made in moments.
Sunday was the celebration of International Women's Day downtown. There was a parade and performance in the local theater. My favorite moment was when the belly dancers, moving to the arabic music, were juxtaposed with the Silver City Roller Derby Girls and the Virgin of Guadalupe. The Honey Gitters felt like celebrities walking down the street to see the parade; a large percentage of the crowd and paraders (including a city councilman on stilts) picked us out as 'the band' from the night before, offering up their compliments and smiles.
Long Story Short, a call to action: All music lovers and musicians that frequent Fort Collins, please embrace the shining jewel that is your world! Know that we all take it for granted. Everyone else, you are encouraged to drink Lone Star in your jealous angst or come share a moment or more of what we know to be Something Special. May I suggest the Fort Collins Music Experiment, now in its third year, happening on April 8 and 9.
Unspeakable Thanks to SpokesBUZZ and partners, Fort Collins and its art and culture, and Leland's Mom Diana for hosting such a fine experience in Silver City. We hope to return to both of these locations! Until next time, please enjoy the Buzz!
