So this year we got involved in something pretty cool.  We were asked to be part of the Social Media Week Advisory Board.  There is a lot to be discussed when it comes to the intersection of social media and music.  Sure social networks can help connect people from one Portland to another, but how does social media help and artists really develop their fanbase, especially a fan base as crucial as their local home base audience?

The issue really is greater than just acquiring fans, it is about engaging your community it is about finding alternate ways to reach people, it is about targeting your communications, making sure your message and purpose is not falling upon deaf ears, its about listening.

For the week of February 18 – 22 Listen Local First will be co hosting two separate events as part of Social Media Week DC

1) Tuesday February 19th - SXSW DC Meet Up – at Brink Media 1516 U St NW DC 20009 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm

LLF has teamed up Brink Media, to host a first time Pre SXSW MeetUp.   Whether it’s Film, Interactive or Music come out to meet your fellow SXSWers here in DC. We’ll talk projects, plans and preparation, answering questions from newbies and letting veterans share the best kept secrets.

It would be great if everyone could share info about their project; please email me (patrick@brink.com) or (listenlocalfirst@gmail.com) with some slide or description you would like to share with the group. For instance, a film trailer, or startup pitch, or a preview of your new album.

Drinks will be available, and the bars of U Street beckon for those who wish to continue their revel following this event. Please let me know if you have any questions.

2) Thursday February 21st - Social Media and the Local Music Scene: Engaging local audiences and re-envisioning social networks –   Time: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Where: Veracruz Gallery Art Bar - 2108 Vermont Ave NW DC

This event is geared to engage , musicians, venue owners, local businesses, event planners, tech developers, writers and music fans of all ages. How do social networks help build a stronger cultural community in our city.  What are the tools we are using?  How should we as a community engage each other on a more meaningful basis.  How do musicians transform this meaningful engagement into a greater fanbase.  Who in DC is having the most success doing this?  How does each part of the cultural community play a role in our social network?

Metro Music Source will be co-hosting an evening of networking speakers and panels.  The event will begin with an introduction by Hosan Lee, Founder and CEO of TableTribes and followed by a series of group discussions.  Participants will include: Chris MacDonald of HugeFan, Jon Meyers of the Vinyl District, Andy Cerutti of Fort Knox Recordings, Stephanie Williams of DC Music Download, Chris Richards Pop Music Critic for the Washington Post, Jimmy Rhodes of Hood Booking, Inc (R&R Hotel + DC9), Diana Ezerins Production Coordinator for the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, Bob Boilen creator/host of NPR’s All Songs Considered  Jennifer Vinson of DC Setlist/ Hamilton Live, Jem Bahaijoub of ImaginePR, Dave Mallen of Innovation Station Music and many more…

M CENTRAL MILLENNIAL INAUGURAL CELEBRATION

Listen Local First is honored to be a part of M Central (mcentral.co), The 2013 Millennial Base Camp Celebration!

M CENTRAL is a pop-up art + creative space at 700 H Street NE  that will serve as the most accessible and imaginative venue for forward-thinking artists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and public servants to convene and connect throughout Inauguration Weekend. It is being produced by a cross-disciplinary team of partnering organizations that include the Millennial Trains Project, a DC-based non-profit organization, No Kings Collective, a DC-based arts collective, and the New America Foundation, a non-partisan public policy organization.

From January 18th – 20th M Central will host three days and nights art exhibits, panel discussions keynote speakers and live music to celebrate Millennials and the re election of our nation’s 44th president, Barack Obama.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - mcentral.co/schedule/

TICKET PAGE - The weekend will encompass a number of free and ticketed events, so please check out the schedule and purchase tickets before they sell out - mcentral.eventbrite.com/#

• The opening of Americana x Trains exhibit (Friday, Jan. 18; 8PM-1AM; Free)  - mcentral.co/schedule/

• The Millennial Ideas Forum (Saturday, Jan. 19; 10AM-5PM; Free) - mcentral.co/schedule/

• The Inaugural Millennial Ball (Saturday, Jan. 19; 8PM-1AM; $75/ticket, open bar) is a musical celebration of all that the future holds for the next Great Generation. Because there is no official “Youth Ball” at this year’s Inauguration, the Inaugural Millennial Ball fills a critical void by catering directly to the thousands of enterprising and civic-minded young people that will be in Washington, DC for inauguration weekend. Musical Acts Include: Oddisee – www.oddiseemusic.com/, Mayer Hawthorne (DJ Set) – mayerhawthorne.com/, The Funk Ark – www.eslmusic.com/#!/artist-profile/the-funk-ark/, Brass Connection – www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4GQ3MKOkcY (Facebook Event Link and More Details can be found at - https://www.facebook.com/events/245436582255428/)

• Inauguration Eve at M CENTRAL (Sunday, Jan. 20, 8PM-1AM; $20/ticket, cash bar) will feature a line-up DC’s top local independent artists and guests from out of town.  The standout line up of artists includes:  U.S Royalty – www.usroyaltymusic.com/, Low Cut Connie – www.lowcutconnie.com/, The Dig www.thedigmusic.com/ and Shark Week – www.sharkweekmusic.com (More artists TBA – check out the FB Event Link for more updates https://www.facebook.com/events/595804637112408/)

Digital stocking stuffer?!?  We got it!  This year LLF has teamed up with local artists to bring you a downloadable playlist of DC artists performing a mix of traditional and original holiday tunes!

You can download The Listen Local First Holiday Playlist by going HERE or type in, listenlocalfirstdc.bandcamp.com/

Proceeds from the download will go to support DC’s very own Cardozo High School Marching Band and music program, the local artist on the mix and LLF.  You can purchase the playlist for $5 or pay more to support a great cause.  If all of your friends give $5 the money will go a long way towards supporting this vibrant local music scene!

***2013 LLF TICKET GIVEAWAY!  With each download of the Holiday Playlist you will be entered into a raffle for FREE Admission into any LLF show or co-sponsored event for the entire year!  Download now to enter!***

Playlist includes tracks by: Vandaveer, We Were Pirates, Astra Via, Tom McBride, Victoria Vox, Lenorable, Wytold, Ted Garber, Justin Jones and more to come…

Also on Wednesday Dec 19th Listen Local First and The 9 Songwriter Series present A Local Holiday Music Spectacular at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage – Join us from 6pm – 7pm for a FREE Show!

Check out the Event Page Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/312953295487278/

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the Listen Local First Family!

Video from the All Things Go performance at The Gibson Guitar Room on November 13th.

U.S. Royalty - www.usroyaltymusic.com/

Misun - https://www.facebook.com/MisunBand

Video by Hantz Leger

National Music Industry Event Showcases Local DC Talent November 12th, The Dunes, Washington, DC 

Washington, DC area music organizations Listen Local First and Metro Music Source are proud to be co-hosting the Kick-Off Party for the much-anticipated Future of Music Summit. The event will take place on the evening of November 12th at The Dunes. Music industry representatives from across the globe will unite to network, collaborate, and enjoy a showcase of DC’s finest local music talent, ahead of a full day of lively debate regarding the state of music in the digital age.

The Metro Music Source (MMS) is a Washington, DC area music industry event series and resource that encourages support, collaboration, and knowledge sharing amongst music creators and industry professionals through monthly networking and educational events. Listen Local First DC (LLF) is a local music initiative devoted to building awareness and creating opportunities for local musicians and venues. LLF was born out of a collaborative effort with Think Local First DC and seeks to partner with local musicians, local arts organizations, local venues and locally owned businesses to create performance opportunities and new avenues for local music exploration. The two organizations share a common vision of raising the profile of DC’s local music scene, and are both strong supporters of the Future of Music Coalition, a national non-profit organization that works to ensure a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want.

The Future of Music Summit Kick-Off Party will feature performances from four local artists and bands, including:

Chrystylez Bacon www.christylez.com/,

Bumper Jacksons www.bumperjacksons.com/,

Dan Fisk www.danfisk.com

Michael Shereikis & Jason Walker (of Chopteeth and Zeiti) www.chopteeth.com/.

There will also be opportunities for music industry networking prior to, and during the performances.

For more than a decade, creative expression and disruptive innovation have existed in an uneasy symbiosis that continues to push boundaries. In 2012, issues at the intersection of music, technology and policy reached a fever pitch, with Washington at the epicenter of the debate. Where do we go from here? How will the upcoming elections impact musicians, entrepreneurs, technologists and fans? Is it possible to resolve differences between the music industry and an increasingly powerful technology sector? Where do actual musicians and composers fit into the picture? From cultural policy to copyright and the Internet, there are countless concerns that impact the music ecosystem. All will be addressed and discussed at the 11^th annual Future of Music Summit on November 13th at the New American Foundation. and streaming live at futureofmusic.org.

Kick-Off Party Event Details:

When: Monday, November 12, 2012

Time: 7.30pm-11pm

Venue: The Dunes, 1402 Meridian Place, NW, Washington, DC 20009

Cost: $5

Advance tickets available for purchase at: https://d.tixelated.com/001127

Facebook Event Page