Madison’s Support of the DIY Music Scene
[vc_row][vc_column][title type="subtitle-h6"]Abby Sherman[/title][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="11/12"][vc_column_text]Are you in a local band? The DIY scene isn’t the only way to get your music noticed anymore in Madison. Local companies like Williamson Magnetic Recording Company and Rare Plant have been hard at work pushing and supporting the careers of many Madison artists. In the past year, these two organizations have helped the city’s music scene in more ways than one.Williamson Magnetic Recording Company, located on the East side of Madison, allows for bands, both local and not, to affordably record full-analog tracks. Started by Tessa Echeverria and Mark Haines, this recording company also provides a space for both practicing and rehearsing. Because Echeverria and Haines both have experience with working in the world of music, this has fostered a resourceful, beneficial, and welcoming space to for musicians within the Madison community.
Since its opening in November of 2015, Williamson Magnetic Recording Company has also provided a venue for a variety of touring and local bands. This new space is an all-age, all-inclusive venue that has hosted bands such as Free Cake for Every Creature, Modern Mod, Dashounds, and the Pollinators. Williamson Magnetic Recording Company is a safe space for local musicians and music lovers of all varieties.Although they don’t provide a venue, Rare Plant, a small tape label in town, has been a great promoter and supporter of local music by giving groups the possibility of physically releasing their music. Created by Erick Fruehling and Claire Nelson-Lifson, Rare Plant has been responsible for countless cassette tape releases and live showcases highlighting the exceptional talent around Madison that would otherwise be more under-the-radar. Since the first release, “The Trouble With The World Is Me,” by Automatically Yours in the summer of 2015, Rare Plant has been steadily delivering exciting releases from an assortment of local bands. The first Rare Plant Showcase served as the tape release for Proud Parents and Dumb Vision and featured Wood Chickens, Cave Curse, The Minotaurs, and Tarpaulin, all of which are bands based in Madison.While a few months have passed since the January 8th showcase, the next Rare Plant Showcase will sure be worth the wait. It will feature local bands The Momotaros, The Tea Heads, Trophy Dad, and Brooklyn-based band Howardian, all of which have releases from the label. Releases from Rare Plant can be found online and as well as at MadCity Music Exchange which is located on Willy Street.With great local resources like Williamson Magnetic Recording Company and Rare Plant growing in Madison, it is becoming possible for an increasing number of local bands to begin to work with others in the recording, booking, and performing aspects of the music industry successfully. As these companies continue to grow, they will continue to work with local artists; making sure the Madison music scene prospers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]