[FA Worldmusic] artists under the radar

[Dmitri Vietze]

Kutay Kugay wrote: <<What I was referring to about connecting with ethnic
communities weather immigrant or resident was more to do about building
inroads to those communities by integrating their constituents with the
world music community and vise versa.>>

I reply: Great point. I used the term "immigrant," because the term "ethnic"
is so vague; everyone is technically "ethnic." But then again, technically
everyone is an "immigrant" or descendant of immigrants too. Sorry 'bout
that. But regardless I take your point that communities connected to
cultures outside the "dominant European-American mainstream" are
disconnected from that "mainstream." I, of course, I agree that there are
tons of opportunities to close gaps in access to information, resources,
expertise, in BOTH (or all) directions. 

Kutay Kugay wrote: <<It also has so much to do with building mutual trust.
Language may be barrier at times but it's much more than the mechanics of
communication.>>

I reply: Again, of course, I agree. Developing mutual trust takes more than
offering language translation or funding projects. My question to everyone
here: who has made a concerted effort to reach across cultural communities
to bridge these gaps? Give us real life examples. What did you try? What
worked, what didn't? What were your biggest challenges? (I know you lurkers
have something to say! Don't be a chicken.)

Kutay Kugay wrote: <<I was not specifically wanting to address the WMC
without naming it. I know it's just getting off the ground. This issue of
not connecting with the communities and their artists and activities is a
much larger problem of the society in which we live in.>>

I reply: yes, the patterns in our larger society replicate themselves even
in the self-declared forward-thinking arts and "world music" scenes. I just
wanted to put out the concept  that there are no associations or
organizations in charge of fixing this. It's just us. So talking about it is
one thing, doing something is something else. Not that I am saying dont say
it unless you plan on fixing it. But what can we here on this list, in the
field, do to change this? What can each of us do on a daily basis? What can
we do as a concerted effort? If we do not answer this and take action,
nobody will.

As a publicity firm, we go in waves of making efforts to reach out to
non-English media. Sometimes we succeed more than others. We have more
consistent success in connecting with an artist that is already big within
their own "ethnic community" and help to provide the background and context
that is often assumed within the fan base, but unknown to new audiences.
That is one of our main emphases in how we approach publicity. This has been
effective with groups like the Arabesque Music Ensemble, Marcel Khalife,
Mariza, Auktyon, and many others. 

In some cases, it seems that promoters that set up tours in "their own
ethnic community" do not see a need to reach additional audiences. In other
cases, it seems they do not know how or dont even have the framework for
considering it. That is, they may believe there is no market for it outside
of their target community. Or maybe there are different cultural
understandings on how marketing is done. Or concerts are based in a
particular framework of community centers, religious settings, or in the
homes of doctors or lawyers. And much of the marketing is done by word of
mouth. 

Here in Bloomington, we have a different dynamic, which I am sure is
replicated in university towns around the US. A small department may have a
budget line for a musical presentation for their students. They book some
amazing band known within their country / ethnicity / genre / niche. The
group comes and performs to 100 people, does a couple of master classes for
students, and nobody outside of that department (including me!) even knows
they were in town. This has nothing to do with cultural differences so much
as what they call here the town and gown divide. Two different worlds in a
small town. 

Much respect,

Dmitri Vietze
rock paper scissors, inc.
511 W. 4th St., Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404-5171
TEL +1-812-339-1195
FAX +1-801-729-4911
music at rockpaperscissors.biz
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
 
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