I find the stigma against local bands interesting. As if they are throwaways. Maybe this is because most local bands die in less than a year. Maybe its because they play so many local shows that going to see them is something you do to be part of a local metal scene, rather than necessarily because seeing them live is something special.
Of course, there are local bands that make it big. They started playing together in some small venues and they had a strong local following, then one day an album was made and a label thought they could exploit this band to make some small profit.
But often, you'll see if people suggest a band for others to listen to and its a "local" band (not necessarily even local to them!) they won't even give it the time of day.
These people want national/international acts. Its almost as if its better than you have member spread across the universe and never play a live date until after you are on a major label. Because if you are a local band, well you must just suck. Everybody knows that labels get the most expiremental/original bands, whereas local bands are just playing the flavor of the month and following trends hoping to be seen! (I'd say sarcasm. But this is true often enough.... but I meant it sarcastically since labels often follow trends too when signing bands i.e. "Oh look Century got X band. We need a band that sounds like X!")
Maybe this rant goes nowhere. But its something that has bugged me, because I like finding new bands. I search all the time. A lot of the bands I find are small-town bands that have only played in one locality. But most won't even give them a listen because they don't know anybody in the band, and because they don't think it deserves a listen since some label hasn't found them first!
Of course, there are local bands that make it big. They started playing together in some small venues and they had a strong local following, then one day an album was made and a label thought they could exploit this band to make some small profit.
But often, you'll see if people suggest a band for others to listen to and its a "local" band (not necessarily even local to them!) they won't even give it the time of day.
These people want national/international acts. Its almost as if its better than you have member spread across the universe and never play a live date until after you are on a major label. Because if you are a local band, well you must just suck. Everybody knows that labels get the most expiremental/original bands, whereas local bands are just playing the flavor of the month and following trends hoping to be seen! (I'd say sarcasm. But this is true often enough.... but I meant it sarcastically since labels often follow trends too when signing bands i.e. "Oh look Century got X band. We need a band that sounds like X!")
Maybe this rant goes nowhere. But its something that has bugged me, because I like finding new bands. I search all the time. A lot of the bands I find are small-town bands that have only played in one locality. But most won't even give them a listen because they don't know anybody in the band, and because they don't think it deserves a listen since some label hasn't found them first!
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