A Wonderful Idea
After reading this post from SOCIAL MEDIA ESCAPE CLUB I got an idea. A Really Good Idea.
Ever since I began my radio show, Electric Radio Club, I've received quite a bit of engagement on social media from followers telling me about music, songs and artists that matters to them.
I love it.
It feels like I'm creating a community where people can bond over all kinds of music.
As someone who grew up with landlines, cassette players and meeting friends to hang out at the local Village Inn, I wanted to bring that back to life.
I'm tired of being online all the time.
But how does one find the local music fans not in record stores, SubStack or concert venues?
I started telling some friends about this idea of music meetups. A meetup where music fans can talk about albums, artists, lyrics, live performances, radio shows, record shops, music memories and so on.
Eyes lit up with excitement.
I knew it was a sign to start taking action. So I did.
Music Meetups in the Making
I approached a couple of bars about the idea.
The first bar is a solopreneur establishment, female-owned and operated. It was an immediate yes. Probably because we always bumped into each other at concerts.
When I approached a second local bar about allowing me to use their space for free to test out the event, they were totally game as well.
However, during our meeting something else came up about hosting a music meetup that I hadn't considered, my gender.
One of the bar owners said something along the lines of...........
What are you going to do at this music meetup? You don't want it to come off as speed dating.
I was slightly annoyed.
If a man presented this idea to host an in-person music meetup, would the bar owner think that a man is trying to create a dating event?
No.
Of course not.
Women know good music too.
Turning Flirts Into Subscribers
As I prepped for my first music meetup, I kept the bar owner’s comment in mind and I realized that may have to be prepared for people who might not to talk about music.
I was thrilled to have such a great turn out for the first event.
The theme was 90’s Female Alternative. The music conversation ranged from talking about The Indigo Girls to PJ Harvey.
Discussions such as “Why is Ani DiFranco Not On A Best Guitar Player Of All Time list?” or “Should Jagged Little Pill been a Broadway Musical?” went around the tiny wine bar along with my perfectly curated playlist.
And of course, it happened. The Flirt. I detected his prowling energy the minute he walked in, like a mosquito floating on a sticky, summer night, you know it's coming after you.
When you are connecting with strangers about music, there's a certain kind of cosmic energy that takes place. There's an exciting exchange that's purely about the artists, the albums, new band discoveries or poetic lyrics.
That was not his vibe.
How can I be so sure? Because he asked why I created a music meetup.
Clearly, he didn't read the event description on Facebook or read any other promotion about an event that it’s to talk about music and to create a community of music fans.
I could have been reciting the alphabet backwards and this guy wouldn't have cared. It was a harmless interaction yet I was annoyed by his pick-up attempt but I kept it cool.
I'm working to build my business while connecting the community through music.
This isn't Rock of Love.
This incident made me think of the song, Swimsuit Issue, by Sonic Youth. Probably because I just finished Kim Gordon’s book, Girl In A Band.
I’m just here for dictation and not your summer vacation
You really like to schmooze, well now you're on the news
After mentioning this stranger encounter to a friend, who is an executive director, said…………
This would be a great way to diverge pick-up lines into email subscribers.
You want my contact info? Sure! Sign up for my email list!
Talk about brand strategy!
Girls To The Front
Whether it’s a concert or a record store, there have been too many times where I have been the only woman in a space that involves music.
As I mentioned previously, women know good music too. Do women feel safe showing up in these spaces alone? How can I create that comforting music space?
So in that spirit, here is some great music content created by women.
I swoon over Boozey Vinyl’s record collection on Instagram and she just started a music channel on YouTube. Can’t wait to see what she creates.
You know me, I love a good mixtape. These SubStackers Made You a Mix, Record Store, Mallie Hart and Mandy Tamm (she/her) know what they are doing. I always discover a new band from their mixes!
I thoroughly enjoyed fellow Radio DJ, Amrita Vijayaraghavan’s post on the perfect playlist to get through a bad day.
Another fellow DJ, Radio Hitch ,on ElectroMagnetic Radio supplies a weekly dose of music knowledge and shares her eclectic vinyl records on Instagram.
Who Else?
I'd love to know more!
Share your favorite female music creators in the comments!
And like always, thank you for reading!
Here is a gift for you
The Spotify Playlist from my August Music Meetup. It’s two-hours of 90’s Female Alternative Good-nessssssssssssssss.
OR
Stream the radio episode of this playlist on Mixcloud. It’s free!
Until next time,
Much love,
Joi
