Music & The Economy - Whispertown2000 and Maria Taylor

One thing is clear about the state of the economy in the United States: business is down and people are spending less and saving more. In the music industry, though, the change may not be as obvious or predictable as expected.

Megan Nagler, lead singer for Whispertown2000, an indie-rock band out of Los Angeles, spoke about the current economic climate on Tuesday before playing at the Great Scott in Allston.

"As [the economy] gets worse the arts and entertainment become more important to people,” Nagler said. “People are struggling and it’s important to connect to people in the world and share your experience right now.”

This is all part of what Nagler called the “economic backlash” in which people come together to unite in their troubles. However, her suggestions do not mean that this is the time to drop out of high school and start a band. Tod Adrian, guitarist, bassist and drummer of Whispertown2000, says that they expect the same profits from this tour as tours in the past. “There are definitely more people coming to shows, and that’s partly due to the fact that we’re still a new band and we’re still getting more fans.”

To Adrian and Nagler, having more people at their shows across the country does not add up to more income. When asked about financing the tour, Adrian says this tour has been what they expected.

“I want to say normal just because more people know who we are than on our last tour. I don’t know if more people are buying shirts and stuff. Gas is $2 cheaper than last time. Mostly just our personal finances are different, which is what everyone is thinking about.”

Things look different for a band that isn’t just getting their feet wet and has been firmly planted in the music industry for some time. Maria Taylor, who headlined the show at the Great Scott on Tuesday, said that this tour has been noticeably different.

“I’ll make less money on this tour, which is kind of weird because you want to make progress,” the 32-year-old singer-songwriter said.

Taylor, who got her start in the Omaha music scene as a part of the duo Azure Ray, is used to a certain amount of fan support that may not be as strong as it used to be. “Even for shows people want to see, they’re like, ‘oh, I’ll see her next time because I have no money.’”

Despite less fan support, Taylor is still in it for the long haul. “My whole thing with this industry is that I love music and I want to be a part of it; but the industry grosses me out. I have to play the game a little bit even though I don’t want to.”

Maria Taylor and Whispertown2000 are saving money on this tour by being resourceful. The two bands share members as well as a tour van that holds all 9 people. Less band members means their paychecks get split fewer ways. It is by no means the famed life of a rock star that the public admires, but it isn’t a poor man’s life either.

“We have gotten to a point where you can’t sleep on couches every night. This is our life and we’re adults,” insists Adrian.

Though this tour may not have accrued the same number of fans Maria Taylor is used to on her cross-country musical voyages, the concert at the Great Scott may have marked the backlash that Nagler foresees. The venue filled almost to capacity with an enthusiastic and engaging crowd by the time Taylor took the stage. Nearly every voice in the small venue—lit only by the neon beer signs that hang on the brick walls—was singing along to every song, including those off of Taylor’s latest album, Ladyluck, which came out only two weeks ago. Just before midnight, Taylor stopped in the middle of her last song, in order to lead the audience in a round of “Happy Birthday” for Casey Wisenbaker, the drummer for her and Whispertown2000.

Even if such a backlash doesn’t occur, it seems to be of little importance to Maria Taylor and her friends in Whispertown2000. “Even if no one came we would be having a great time,” Taylor said. “That’s how you know it’s going to be a great tour, because we just have fun with each other.”

- Joey Gerber

Top Five Ska Bands You’ve Never Heard Of

OK, so let’s face it: ska fans nowadays gain their “street cred” by rattling off ska bands that anyone in the underground has heard of. Yeah, so you like Reel Big Fish? Saw Big D play last weekend? Sporting a Streetlight Manifesto shirt today? These bands are musically fantastic and certainly significant to the ska scene. However, these “big names” (…as big as a ska band can get, anyway) unfortunately overshadow some of the smaller, yet just as worthwhile, ska bands that make up today’s scene.

Bomb The Music Industry
Frontman Jeff Rosenstock (formerly of Arrogant Sons of Bitches) mixes ska with folk-punk and synthesizers, making for a completely unique – yet unwaveringly catchy – new genre. And here’s a completely new spin: BTMI’s music is offered completely free of charge via download on their website (…long before Radiohead thought of this idea, kiddies). Although BTMI’s lyrics are borderline depressing at times, Jeff has a knack for writing raw and relatable songs. And while Jeff’s scratchy voice takes a while getting used to, it just adds to the beautifully unrefined tone of the album as a whole. Each album has its own unique tone, but favorite songs range from post-apocalyptic “Side Projects are Never Successful” to happy-go-lucky “I Don’t Love You Anymore” to sing-along anthem “Happy Anterrabae Day!!!” Make sure to attend a BTMI show for the most fun you’ve had in all your ska-lovin’ years.
Album recommendation: Get Warmer

The Fad
This ska-core band from Long Island brings an energy that many ska bands simply miss: the double-sided coin of catchy, dance-able ska beats (like songs “Ska-Boom!” and “Bright Lights”) mixed with crazy-go-nuts hardcore (“Kill Punk Rock Stars”). Singer Jimmy Doyle has a voice no one can dislike – the perfect combination of sweet vocal skills slipping into energetic screaming. Make sure to attend a Fad show, as these guys bring a type of energy to the stage like no other. But beware: things can get a little out of control during mosh-heavy sing-alongs like “B2M”.
Album recommendation: Kill Punk Rock Stars

Subb
This Canadian ska band is unfortunately one of the least talked about in the States. Their music is some of the tightest I’ve heard in ages from a semi-local ska band; while there are generally no horns used, the guitarists and drummer have an uncanny ability to break the ska beat down. Singer Jeff Quesnel has a voice so smooth and easy, it’s hard not to start singing along upon first listening. Lyrics range from singing about animal rights (“A Little More of Chomsky”) to the revival of the ska scene (“Quarter to Seven”) to unwavering love (“Tattoo”).
Album recommendation: The Motions

Tri-State Conspiracy
Self-described as “murderous ska-swing-heavy metal,” Tri-State Conspiracy indeed crosses into all these genres, emerging with an original yet extremely polished sound. Don’t let singer Jeffrey Paris’s preference for old-school suits and retro microphones fool you: the band’s highly energetic stage presence and involvement with their audience make TSC one of the most enjoyable bands to see live. Based out of NYC, TSC has the attitude to prove it: lyrics range from plotting murder (“Murder Fantasy”) to expressing frustration with daily 9 to 5 life (“High Strung Mess”) to the maladies of war (“Frantic”). Definitely check this band out if you like to dance while shouting along to spunky lyrics set against ska/swing melodies.
Album recommendation: High Strung Mess

Mad Caddies
If you think that Reel Big Fish is still the best ska band to hit the 3rd wave, I highly recommend you listen to this California based ska band and reconsider. Singing lyrics reminiscent of RBF’s tongue-in-cheek humor (with less kitsch) and sporting what may be the tightest horns in North America, it’s nearly impossible to stay neutral to Mad Caddies. Singer Chuck Robertson has a gift that few ska bands singers have: a naturally talented voice! Mad Caddies sport excellent musicianship all around and seamlessly integrate poppy melodies into flawless ska beats. From impressively horn-heavy “Monkeys” to soft-sided “Drinking for Eleven” to quirky, yet strangely pleasing “Weird Beard,” the Mad Caddies are catchy enough to turn even the most elite indie fan into a ska lover.
Album recommendation: Just One More

- Jackie Reiss