SF Music Week Promotes Local Industry as Economic Engine
Feb 27, 2025
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Join Jordan Kurland, co-owner of Noise Pop, and Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED Arts editor, as they delve into San Francisco's music scene revitalization. Laline St. Juste shares her journey as a musician and label founder, spotlighting local talent. Tina Davis discusses the significant role of independent labels in the industry. The conversation covers the impact of social media, the importance of live music, and community support, all while celebrating the unique rhythm of the Bay Area's diverse musical landscape.
San Francisco Music Week aims to energize the local music scene and bolster the city’s economic recovery through collaborative events and workshops.
The podcast emphasizes the ongoing challenges for local artists, including rising living costs and changing audience preferences, necessitating a resilient and cooperative music community.
Deep dives
The Launch of San Francisco Music Week
San Francisco is attempting to bolster its reputation as a music-making city with the introduction of San Francisco Music Week. This new event aligns with the Noise Pop Festival and features a variety of live performances, workshops, and valuable discussions designed to energize the local music scene. The initiative aims to provide musicians and industry professionals a platform to collaborate and contribute to the revival of the city’s economy through music. It is an acknowledgment that while cities like New York and Los Angeles dominate the music industry landscape, San Francisco aspires to carve out its niche in this competitive environment.
Examining the Local Music Ecosystem
The discussion highlights the complexity of the current music industry and its fragmented ecosystem within San Francisco. Participants point out that while the city has premier recording studios and independent labels, much of the industry power remains concentrated in larger cities, particularly Los Angeles and New York. Additionally, the ongoing effects of streaming and the pandemic have shifted the focus towards live performance as a significant revenue source for artists, making events like San Francisco Music Week increasingly vital. The sentiment is that a robust local ecosystem, encompassing both live venues and recording facilities, is necessary for artists to thrive in San Francisco's unique cultural landscape.
Supporting Local Artists Through Collaboration
The conversation underscores the cooperative nature of the music community, where independent labels and promoters play a critical role in supporting local artists. Musician Laline Sanjoust emphasizes the importance of mutual aid within the community, where artists share resources and expertise to navigate the challenges of the industry. This spirit of collaboration is seen as essential, especially in an environment where economic pressures make it challenging for many local musicians to sustain their careers. Events like SF Music Week are framed as opportunities not just for exposure, but as communal gatherings that foster collaboration among artists, promoters, and fans.
Navigating Changes and Challenges Post-Pandemic
The podcast addresses the ongoing struggles faced by the music industry in San Francisco as it emerges from the pandemic. Discussions point to changes in audience behavior, with many potential concertgoers preferring high-profile, larger shows over smaller local acts, reflecting broader trends in entertainment consumption. The impact of rising living costs and shrinking venue availability further complicates the landscape for artists trying to establish themselves. Despite these obstacles, there is a sense of resilience among local musicians and industry professionals who are committed to revitalizing the city's vibrant music culture while seeking innovative ways to connect with their audiences.
At the moment New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles are the cities where music making happens. But San Francisco hopes to add itself to that list. To that end, last month, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced San Francisco Music Week — which coincides with the Noise Pop Festival and includes live performances, workshops, and talks from industry insiders about how to reinvigorate the local music scene. We’ll talk to music makers and shakers about how the city can support live music and how the music scene could help revive the city’s economy.
Guests:
Nastia Voynovskaya, editor and reporter, KQED Arts
Jordan Kurland, co-owner and producer, Noise Pop Industries, which organizes the Noise Pop Festival; co-founder and partner, Brilliant Corner Artists Management
Laline St. Juste, musician, producer and solo artist, sings with the band The Seshen; founder, 7000 Coils, the independent record label
P-Lo Paolo Rodriguez, musician and producer, His latest album is "For the Soil"
Tina Davis, president, Empire, an independent record label based in San Francisco
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