What Can We Learn From Denton Texas?

Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. According to the 2000 census, the city’s population was 80,537, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The July 2007 United States Census Bureau estimate, however, gave Denton’s population as 115,506,^[1] and named the city as the nation’s tenth fastest-growing city among those with over 100,000 people.^[1]

Denton is home to two state universities, the University of North Texas, the largest university in North Texas and the third largest in Texas,^[4] and Texas Woman’s University, the largest state-supported university for women in the United States.

Both the city and county were named after John B. Denton, a pioneer, preacher, lawyer and Texas Militia Captain. Residents of Denton are known as “Dentonites” and the city has been known as the “Redbud Capital of Texas” since 1993.^[5] In 2006, Money magazine named Denton no. 58 out of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live in America.”^[6] In 2008, Paste magazine named the “Best Music Scene” for 2008.^[7]

I found the fact that Denton, Texas was chosen the best music scene in America a promising fact for relatively small towns with a state university.  Also, consider the fact that it is Paste Magazine, who I respect, but often question everything they do.  They often have very questionable reviews, contradict themselves and sometimes they try so hard not to be mainstream they end up looking foolish.  All that being said they are my favorite music publication out there.

So what does Denton do that we need to do here?

Denton, Texas, is simply the paradigm of a healthy music community.

What does it take to have a “healthy music community?

But none of this would be possible without the music enthusiasts who devote countless hours, often pro bono, promoting gigs, organizing festivals, putting together house shows, running labels and managing studios. Thanks to Mwanza Dover’s Melodica Music Festivals, venue owners like Dan Mojica and Josh Baish, production companies like Gutterth, venues like J&J’s Pizza and Strawberry Fields record store, community-minded studios like The Echo Lab–DIY is not just a hackneyed acronym in Denton–it’s an ethos of community and hard work that’s been sustained for over two decades.

So it takes everyone in the community putting in their time to make it what it is.  This has always been my biggest problem with people that hate on the music scene in SC or Columbia.  If you are complaining that no one comes out to your show, it isn’t because Columbia or Charleston doesn’t have plenty of people that go to shows.  It is more likely because A) you are doing a bad job at connecting to them or B) your product needs work.  I know it isn’t easy, but it can be done.

So here is what we have going for us

I can name 6 different venues in the midlands that are great for each type of music you may play.  Each of these venues is relatively accessible to bands.  Go to a major market and it is hard to get shows at any venue.  In Columbia, if you pull your weight, you get to come back.

Fans–  Bands have access to a goldmine.  You have 30,000 18-24 year olds within 2 miles of 3 of Columbia’s best venues.  For some reason no band since Hootie and the Blowfish has really tapped the market.  If you don’t believe me look up what happened on the horseshoe April 19th 1996 (This takes some serious research.)

Of course this is just one market of fans.  There are plenty of other ones.  So when you have 20 people at your show, you aren’t doing something right.

Publications– Columbia has the publications to support the music scene.  We’re working for you.  The Free Times is working for you.  Citypaper is working for you.  The Angry Whale is working for you.  Shuffle magazine is working for you.  The Daily Gamecock is there for you.  So that is all good to go.

Festivals– How awesome was Music Crawl this year?  Good enough where we can do something like that more often.  Anyone remember how many people were at the T-Mobile block party?  Something like that should happen more often too.

Recording– I laugh on the inside when people travel to some big city to record.  Not necessary.  Talk to some people and you will find some really talented producers and recording engineers around town.  There are also some awesome recording studios hiding around SC.  If you don’t know about them email me.

Music Stores–  Got them too.  Acme Comics is my favorite in Cola.  I’ve been to Horizon records in Greenville twice this week.  It’s awesome.  Papa Jazz is an institution.  Manifest is not what it once was, but they still got what you need.  The bootlegs are gone, but so is the art buying CD’s.

If you don’t have it, build it.  What we can’t build is talented musicians.  We could definitely use some more of those.  We’ve got a decent crop right now, but a little influx of talent would be a big push.  Someone needs to drive the scene.  Someone needs to push the scene musically.  We’ve got some bands that can do it, but it will be interesting to watch and see if anyone really makes an album that pushes the envelope next year and puts Columbia and South Carolina on the map.

A Special Message to bands.  Don’t rely on Myspace too much.  That’s just lazy.  Hit the streets.  Roll up your sleeves.  Promote the old fashion way.  Go shake some hands and play some acoustic music around town.

Also we need to start having house shows.  Anyone know a good basement to put 2 bands and 100+ people?