| In Calgary’s all-ages music community, every facet is operated in DIY fashion. Whether it’s playing in a band, engineering sound or even just working the door, everyone and anyone can and will get involved from the ground level up.
However, possibly the most important job of all is the actual promotion and organization of shows. This undertaking requires several months of work, from the booking of the venue, to finding bands to play, to the actual street-team efforts of stapling posters and distributing flyers. Fortunately, there are more than enough organizations willing to put in the effort, such as Justabunchofkids (JBK), the hardcore-focused Roadbike and the three newest groups – Community Tigers, Rosewater Agency and Wake-Up Talent Squad.
"This is our community, made up of the people in it, and we have the power to change anything we want," says Robin Graham, one half of Community Tigers. At 17 years old, he and partner Justin Jones have already promoted four shows, with two more coming up in July.
"All we really strive for is an equality between show-goers, the bands and the promoters," explains Graham. "There were a lot of groups that weren’t getting enough recognition or chances to play and we felt we needed to fix that. We also try to pay all bands equally, no matter how popular they are."
Matt Langdon may only be 18, but he has already become very passionate about supporting the local music scene. Under the name of Rosewater Agency, he and his partner Gareth Lukes have put on four successful shows, are promoting four more for the fall and are even planning to help two independent bands release their debut albums.
"I remember, last year, there used to be a good show at the Carpenter’s Union Hall every weekend," says Langdon. "It made kids happy, it made me happy and it was always something to do. Now, it seems like there’s only a good show once or twice a month. What we’re trying to do is bring it back to where it was."
Sean Macalister and his partner Ellen Lee, both 17, of Wake-Up Talent Squad may have only put on one show so far, but they already have their priorities in order.
"We mainly want to just give bands exposure, give people a voice, let everyone do their own thing and just see what happens," says Macalister. "It’s totally not for me or Ellen at all – we just want to give back to the scene."
With so many promoters working with the same bands, venues and fans, there is guaranteed to be some competition. Langdon feels that the only way the closely knit community can flow smoothly is if everyone learns to co-operate.
"Promoters should work together, because it’s not about money and it’s not about scene cred. It’s just about getting bands out there," he says. "I’ve moved shows to a later date because another promoter had a show planned or because a touring band couldn’t make it. You just have to make sure everyone is happy."
Another problem that has plagued the scene for the past several years is the ongoing loss of available venues.
"We have to value our venues, because we don’t have a single one that is owned by anyone in the scene," he says. "With bar shows, the bar owns the venue, so if anything happens they can just take care of it on their own. Anything that happens at our venues – being community centres – the promoter can lose their damage deposit, which is usually the same amount as the rental, or they can lose the use of the venue entirely.
"We’re definitely running out of central venues. The Alexandra Centre is here and there and everywhere right now, Crescent Heights is iffy, and now Stanley Park is starting to have worries about spills on the carpeted floor. I don’t want kids to have to go all the way down into the suburbs to see a show."
Fortunately, it’s not all dark clouds overhead, as Langdon and Lukes have a plan to draw a new generation of kids into the scene.
"We want to book bands at smaller shows like high school dances," explains Langdon. "This way, some kids who have never been to an all-ages show before can experience what everyone else experiences, because it’s a great environment for kids."
So in the end, is it all worth it? Jones of Community Tigers seems to think so, and expresses what could easily be the mantra for a punk rock motivational speaker.
"Our efforts have paid off in that they've showed kids that they can change the scene with their own hard work," he says. "Do it yourself or don't complain."
For more information on upcoming all-ages shows, visit www.albertapunk.com/forum and click on the upcoming shows section. |
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