Commentary: An Exploration into the Burgeoning Pittsburgh Music Scene
November 23rd, 2009 • Commentary, Electronic, Op-Ed, Rock
I should first make it clear that I was born, raised, and still technically live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is likely not the city you probably envision in your mind. I have heard many falsities about my hometown in my tenure here at Bates. Pittsburgh is not a suburb of Philadelphia. It is no longer dirty. Ihere is, in fact, an ‘H’ at the end of our name, and there is more to life than the Steelers, Penguins, and, of course, our lowly Pirates.
Chances are, if you are a student at Bates College, you have never been to Pittsburgh; if you have, maybe you passed through our airport once or twice, you might have a second aunt who lives in the area, or maybe you have just been content to steer clear of anything industrial your whole life.
One thing, of course, is usually looked over in discussions about my hometown is how much of a cultural hub it is for a fairly large amount of territory. In Pittsburgh reside some of the world’s finest museums, several epic concert spaces, great theater companies, and several major universities.
Pittsburgh is both an ethnic and geographic melting pot. It is as Northeastern as it is Midwestern and Southern. Residents of Western Pennsylvania come from a myriad of ethnic backgrounds, and that blending cultures have made for a unique and diverse artistic scene in the area. In case you didn’t know, it was Pittsburgh that brought you Andy Warhol, Girl Talk, Mr. Rogers, Jeff Goldblum, Tunde Adebimpe, George Romero, August Wilson, Chris Franz, and David McCollough.
Pittsburgh is, despite its reputation, one of the most intriguing cities right now for independent music. Sure, it’s not Brooklyn, London, or Athens, Georgia; there is a different sensibility in my hometown. The scene is less competitive; the sound is warmer, friendlier, and more inviting to the casual listener. On more than a few occasions, have I walked into a bar in Pittsburgh and seen an awesome concert and wondered why these guys have not hit the big time.
At present, I have been into a band called Good Night, States. It’s the kind of slow-paced semi-electronic indie-pop, which is great music for lovers of hyphens. I would also direct you to look into two more folksy bands called The Lost Sea and Chet Vincent and the Big Bend. I saw these two bands in one night, and what a night it was. Our local heroes, The Clarks, are always a sure bet, and for those of you keeping score, they have been together about as long as any of us have been alive. I’ve seen them a few times, if they ever get billed in your city, I encourage you to check them out. To expound our indie rock scenes are rising Hip Hop acts, such as Wiz Khalifa, and our, almost famous, Punk Rock scene which has spawned bands such as Anti Flag.
Yes, I grew up in a city that is a national punch line, but maybe it is time for people to take notice to what is happening in the City of Bridges. It’s a secret that is not worth keeping.
-Doug Ray
Doug Ray is the co-host of Saltimbocca & Escargot, Sundays at 8-10 PM Eastern Time on WRBC.
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