THE lOCAL MUSIC SCENE

Justin Udo

Syracuse, NY

March 28, 2008

Here in Syracuse aspiring artists are trying to make it big while balancing their work and their music. There are new acts popping up all the time. These artists are at a constant struggle to build a fan base, distribute their music and find good venues to play at.

Local Talent

Jamel Hammonds works a 9-5 job each day. He is also a rapper. When he finishes his job he goes to the studio to record a track or he is getting ready for a show. He says "you gotta pay the bills but this music has been with me since I was a little kid, I just try to make it work as best I can"

Jamel works at the Sound Garden. This is an independent music store. After putting an album together Jamel and any other aspiring act can set up a distribution agreement with Sound Garden.

Mike Watson a manager at Sound Garden says "if there is an artist with just original music brings it in drops it off, we sell it for them. If it sells that's awesome we call you to get it back in.

Watson says there is no shortage of local talent, but sometimes local artists struggle to find a good venue in the area.

Local Venues

Funk and Waffles is one of a few that opens up its stage for various local acts. We caught up with Jamel as he was getting ready to do a show there. He said he was a little exhausted from a long day of work but the getting on stage and doing a show is just what he needs to relax a hard days work.

The lights dim. Jamel and his group Poseidon take the stage to give a show. They rock the house for about fifteen minutes. When he leaves the stage Jamel smiles and says time to go to the studio.

In the studio Jamel and his group put and impromptu rap instrumental together. They gathered in a small circle and started a cipher (a small group where MC's say spontaneous rap lyrics). When the guys finish rapping, I asked them what is making it to them. They unanimously said having a voice in that is heard and inspiring new music in the community.