photo by Chris Goyette
SPB doesn't make standard practice of sharing interesting interviews elsewhere, but Leatherface fans should take note of a recent interview at Negative Insight magazine, which digs deep into the band's catalog and history with Laurence Bell formerly of Roughneck Recording Co. and currently with Domino Records. We dig an in-depth interview (we spoke with then Leatherface bassist Graeme Philliskirk about The Fest 7 long ago). Consider it a third-party oral history of the band, of sorts.
photo by Loren Green
With independent music venues facing economic challenges related to widespread shutdowns, various organizations are working to find relief to sustain those businesses through the pandemic. The New York Independent Venue Association has opened a campaign that the state of New York designate funding toward the industry before the 2020 calendar year ends.
In a statement, NYIVA notes that New York has unallocated money from the Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) it received from the March 30, 2020 CARES Act that expire at year end.
"In NYC alone, live music venues support 25,500 jobs, $722.8 million in wages, and $2.2 billion in economic output with another $400 to $500 million in tourism dollars that can be attributed solely to attending music-related events," the organization notes.
Shuttered through no fault of their own and unable to reopen until it is safe to do so, independent venues in New York are projected to have accrued more than $135 million in collective debt since the pandemic began. While the Save Our Stages Act has strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, a federal relief package has yet to materialize.
These small businesses, which serve as financial and cultural drivers in communities throughout the Empire State, are hanging on by a thread. For every $1 spent on a ticket at small venues, a total of $12 in economic activity is generated, so the economic renewal is also at risk should these venues shutter forever.
“Our members will not survive without help. I am grateful to Senator Schumer advocating for the Save Our Stages Act but we cannot keep waiting for federal aid. We need the state and local government to recognize that we are an industry that brings value to our state and communities. Every independent venue in New York is in danger of going under at this point, and other states are finding a way,” says New York Independent Venue Association (NYIVA) Co-Chair Jen Lyon.
NY independent venues are looking for a mere 1.5% ($75 million) of the state CRF allocation to save New York’s music and comedy clubs in order to stay afloat until a national aid package is passed.
Additional information and a petition can be found at www.nyiva.org.
Posted Dec. 20, 2020, 10:54 a.m.
Since 1996, Greg Hetson (Bad Religion, Circle Jerks), Eric Melvin (NOFX), and now Darrin Pfeiffer (Goldfinger) and Randy Bradbury (Pennywise), have organized a concept called Punk Rock Karaoke. The musicians listed will play a punk ...
Posted Dec. 19, 2020, 1:38 p.m.
Offering a new model of raising funds by offering exclusive music, Minneapolis, MN-based venue First Avenue launched the First Love Project this week. Like many independent venues struggling as the pandemic wreaks havoc on public ...
Posted Sept. 7, 2020, 10:06 a.m.
Ryan Butler, the guitarist of Landmine Marathon and a recording engineer for Exhumed, Misery Index, Ghoul, and more, has been added to the liver transplant list and he suffers from a rare disorder known as ...
German media manufacturer Optimal Media has announced an eco-friendly vinyl pack that uses no shrinkwrap, recycled vinyl and paper, plant-based ink, and carbon emmision compensation ...
( Read more )
photo by Loren Green
GG Allin, who passed away 27 years ago, continues to garner attention. This fall, Microcosm Publishing will release two new Allin-themed releases: Rock and Roll ...
photo by Loren Green
With the majority of music venues shut down since spring and unable to earn income, the live music industry faces a bleak future. On Tuesday ...
photo by Loren Green
Website OutwitTrade has posted a story that interviews multiple bands about different methods of getting started -- not specifically their origin stories, but more in line ...
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photo by Jesse Dittmar
Musician and author Patti Smith has announced her only staged program of 2020, a live reading with live music performance from Murmrr Theatre in Brooklyn ...
photo by Loren Green
As artists continue to grapple without in-person audiences and music fans are stuck at home, artists continue to adapt. Nick Cave will perform in a ...
( Read more )
photo by Loren Green
Podcaster Tom Mullen has announced a follow-up to 2017's Anthology of Emo Volume 1, titled Volume 2, is available for preorder now with a ...
( Read more )
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