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Smells Like Brooklyn Spirit
BAM’s annual music fest focuses on internationally infamous local scene
Japanther
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There are musical nerve centers everywhere across the nation known for their own unique sound, style and scene, like Seattle, Austin, Minneapolis and, over the past few years, Brooklyn. Two years ago, the people at BAM wanted to showcase the wealth of talent in the borough, so they started an annual event that would literally “Sound Like Brooklyn.”
Well-known and up-and-coming Brooklyn acts will pop up in venues around the borough during a two-weekend long event. According to Darrell McNeill, curator of the festival, the only stipulation is that the acts be indigenous to Kings County. “This movement has been going on long before BAM got involved. We’re merely honoring what already exists and calling greater attention to it.”
“The Brooklyn scene has largely been prompted by … artists priced out of Manhattan who are developing more independent, more nimble, outside-the-box approaches to getting their art out in the world,” says McNeill. “Once upon a time, everyone had to schlep into Manhattan to make an impact.” But now, with artists reaching larger audiences through the internet and other nontraditional marketing strategies, musicians have been able to establish themselves much more quickly nationally.
“Originally titled ‘Brooklyn Next,’ our goal was to showcase the vast wellspring of creativity, diversity, genuine talent and resilience of the artists in this county,” says McNeill. The acts run the gamut from electronic Bear in Heaven to the accordion and glockenspiel sounds of Beirut to indie rock power-house Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
To sweeten the deal, there are free events mixed in with the larger shows. While Beirut is an act many seasoned concert goers are familiar with, bands like Japanther—a low-fi punk act known for their theatrics and well on their way to achieving national notoriety—are playing free shows so music fans can be exposed to a wider array of Brooklyn sounds.
After the success of the past two festivals, BAM is fast becoming a platform for the ever-expanding scene, poised to influence artists both locally and nationally. The two-weekend event is a marathon, but well worth the effort. Bring comfortable shoes—and the number for a good car service.