Close your eyes and imagine you are in a Milwaukee pub. It is a Saturday night and it seems that everyone was sent an invitation to come and have a drink. What do you see around you? People tossing back drinks with their friends, people constantly on the move, shifting from one group to the next, and of course people tagging and tweeting about everything around them. One uniform action everyone takes part in however is not giving full respect and attention to the musicians that are playing on the stage. Trying to share a message that is carried in their narratives is not taken in fully by many because people are not letting the music soak in.
So if you are among the few that are trying to submerge yourself in a sophisticated music scene but other distractions keep getting in your way, I encourage you to join the global movement for true music lovers, Sofar Sounds: Milwaukee. This exclusive international mission strides to fill local living rooms with musicians and their listening audience to share an intimate yet moving musical experience.
According to the Sofar Sounds: Milwaukee mission, “The movement is global with shows happening in 83+ cities worldwide including New York, Paris, Berlin, Sydney and Sao Paulo.” So this tour does not only bring local and international artists together to share their music with the ones that really want to listen, but helps shed light and get more people aware of very talented local artists.
“So essentially what happens is 3 to 4 bands or musical artists perform 4 to 5 songs. Everyone who is there has RSVP’d ahead of time. The address is not given out to the public and it gets sent to everyone on the RSVP list the day before, they do not find out who is playing until they get there,” says musician and active member of Sofar Sounds: Milwaukee chapter Maggie Iken.“ The focus is on people who are there, they want to be there because when you go to bars and listen to bands, there is a lot of background noise and people there just to drink and be loud and with this it is focused on the music. Don’t talk while the band is playing or be on your phones, that sort of thing.”
This concert series not only helps to give the musicians the respect they deserve but brings another beautiful perspective to the 21st century listening audience; that being a more nostalgic way for people to receive new music. Not just downloading a single track of an artist but having to remain listening to them for a 4 to 5 song set. Think about it, from the local cafes’ in Greenwich Village to the Folk Blues Revival during the 1960’s, not everyone knew artists that were performing, but by giving them the chance to reach you, it became the music that forever changed the American musical landscape.
If you believe in the sense of community and music having the power to cross the state lines and boarders you will find comfort among your neighbors. So indulge yourself in the future of sophisticated music listening and enjoy the music Sofar.
If you are wanting to become involved with hosting, playing, or helping their tech savvy team record and edit videos for YouTube, check out the Sofar Sounds website or email milwaukeesofar@gmail.com for further details.
Check out this Sofar Sounds: Milwaukee performance by Dead Horses: