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DO you remember about a year ago, or even 6 months ago? There was no CPMS...
Over two years ago, BAGWIS hit New York for the first time, representing the midwest in the first ever Rock in the Box Filipino American CD Compilation and concert. On our way there, we did not know what to expect. In Chicago at the time, we had performed in many venues, but often times it was non Filipinos that would come out and see us perform.
Where were all our Filipino Sisters and Brothers? Where was the Chicago scene? It was a scattered, fragmented, and isolated scene--it was a reflection of the Filipino community in general in the midwest.
We had heard of other bands and we would often try to reach out. But for BAGWIS it was especially difficult. Not only was our music hard to pin on a specific genre, but our lyrics told the harsh realities of Filipinos living abroad or wrote about the human rights abuses in the Philippines. This was a departure from what most Filipinos were used to hearing from a "Pinoy Rock Band"
But when we arrived in New York, we were warmly welcomed by complete strangers (who now we consider life friends). It was scenesters there like Ted Reyes of Bleud and Happy Analogues, Pinoy rock artist and photographer Sheryl Garcia, Gatchie and all of the Kuwagos, the Moonbugs and so many others where we learned of a new community who shared the same interests and goals as BAGWIS in building not only a thriving local scene and community in our respective regions but to thinking bigger in a national and international scale. BAGWIS was no longer a Chicago band, nor a North American Band.... We are PINOY and we are conscious artists with an agenda to help lift our community and participate in in putting the migrant and diasporic Filipino community of artists in respect like so many others making impact outside of our community. We were determined to be heard.
There is a saying, "A frog at the bottom of a well looking up only views the sky as only a small fragment of what there really is." We as a (national) scene need to understand that even beyond the sky there are no limits...
Imagine, a band like SO3 or DAYBREAK or BENDING SPOON planning a national tour, and every city they perform there are people, other bands, and fans that come out in droves to support and most likely have a really good time and learn a little something that is happening in Chicago. Music is a powerful thing, but for me personally, its really people that make things move. Imagine a national scene where local producers are coordinating with one another, informing other cities of new bands, trends and in general providing support. We should strive for this. If you take a good look at our local scene, its people... us.... ourselves that come to meetings, make decisions, head out to gigs, record music, perform, write reviews, take pictures and so on and so on.... I think you get my point.
After having so much fun at the last ChiSound FANTASY LOUNGE gig I couldn't help but keep thinking about this.... I saw so many people there that are involved at so many levels. Even welcoming new members on this website is a huge contribution! It makes us feel welcomed and makes us no longer feel alone...
I also kept thinking about how diverse the music is here in Chicago... and its really good too! Consider the Hip Hop group P.A.C.I.F.I.C.S., or the amazing acoustic artist Imelda DeLaCruz, or even blues and world music singer Lani Montreal? ... These artists have been making impact on a national and international scale and they are all based here in Chicago. Yet, they are not members of CPMS. This does not mean they are not worth listening to--just the opposite, it just shows us how much more work we need to do here at a local level to reach out. Imagine how much we can learn and share from them.
At the last show, I noticed more people taking pictures like Natalia and Neal from Lucid Blur. This was really good to see. Visual artists play a vital role in documenting the scene. I also encourage more people to write reviews of music and of live performances. I was so excited at the last show that I had to write a review. But then I began to think, If I'm the only one writing reviews... What happens if I miss a show? Will all that energy created be forgotten? I encourage others to continue to write in your blogs, whether it be ramblings about the scene, album reviews you just listened to or show reviews.... I know there are some hidden talented writers in the community here. I remember when Justin wrote a gig review... it was awesome! I didn't make it to the show, so reading his blog really motivated me to make sure I make the next one.
Ever since BAGWIS arrived back in Chicago after New York the first time, I remember how inspired Je was to make sure we had something like that here. This lead to more efforts in going out to more shows and supporting bands and artists we had never even heard of before.... It took a lot of getting out of our comfort zone, but in the end we were never disappointed. She began organizing meet-ups and began focusing on the local artists. We owe a lot to our east coast friends also who showed us new possibilities. Thank you Ted and thank you Poptimes Magazine! We should also recognize other local producers such as ChiSound and Pinoy Ruckus.
Ted Reyes recently wrote an article reflecting on the current state of the national scene. I encourage all of our members to read the article Questions about our future. He observes the difficulties of building and maintaining a healthy scene.
Things are very exciting right now here in Chicago, but we can never tell where it will go. What we do know is that we can never forget where we were only a few years or even months ago. We need to always remind ourselves that by staying positive, supportive, open minded, creative, diverse, tolerant and grateful for one another... the sky will surely show us no limits.
Let's hope we never have to shut our doors, but continue to focus on opening more instead.... Whose ready to set up a national tour???? Lastly, I just want to thank all of our members of this site for making all these things possible for us here.... You Guys Rock!!!!!
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