Hello, my dear readers,
Today I have chosen to discuss a topic that is very relevant to the world of US women indie music performers. In this blog post, I am going to introduce you to the Music Alliance in Memphis. It is important to discuss indie music festivals, concerts, and meetups because these are the places where you meet your favorite performers live and get to touch the magic of their music.
Additionally, such happenings have been known as fertile grounds for the promotion of some of the brightest young US women indie musicians. As we have discussed in other articles, the lane of female indie music talent is overflowing with stunning performers. Some of them are, however, just starting, so they do not have many live performances yet. Thus, there is hardly a better way than events like the Music Alliance in Memphis to meet those rising stars and experience their artistic inspiration.
Memphis Folk Alliance International: General Information
The Memphis Folk Alliance International Festival and Conference is one of the most celebrated indie music events in North America. It is directed towards both fans and music professionals, performers, and aficionados.
The happening is organized by the Memphis’ music export organization and aims to put the city in the spotlight for both domestic and international music experiences. The meetup features two nightly private showcases, on Thursday and Saturday, and an official showcase on Saturday. There is also an industry networking happy hour, where music professionals and performers meet to discuss the latest trends and give birth to ideas for exciting projects and partnerships.
The Memphis’ Music Export Organization
Behind the mighty Memphis Folk Alliance International stands one of the most incredible music organizations in the US, which has also been pivotal to the rise of many female indie musicians not only in America but also across the world. This organization is called Music Export Memphis, or MEM. Two fundamental principles lie at MEM’s core and serve to guide its vision, strategy, and actions. One of them is the firm belief that music has the power to make cities better by fostering diverse, effervescent communities, enriching local talent, and improves socio-economic development.
The second underlying belief of MEM is that while music advances cities in many ways, music professionals and performers inhabit locales where there are sufficient opportunities for them to thrive.
The Music Environment in Memphis
Memphis is one of the places in the US with incredibly rich and vibrant music environment. Just remember the song “Walking in Memphis.” The tune and lyrics truly recreate the unique music atmosphere in the city and its surrounding areas. If you are interested to learn more about the history of music in Memphis, here is an intriguing video:
In addition to the vibrant music environment, the low cost of living also attracts performers, especially rising artists who often have limited financial opportunities. Many of these are young female indie musicians from different parts of the US.
In addition to what already exists in Memphis in terms of opportunities for music artists, MEM also strives to provide additional benefits. It works to secure multiple outlets and better financial conditions not only to the benefit of musicians but also for the entire community.
MEM Experiences: Advancing the Memphis Music Scene within the City and beyond
When we talk about the Music Alliance in Memphis and similar events, we should consider the fact that they are part of the MEM Experience platform. MEM calls “an experience” every type of music event that they organize outside of Memphis. Many of these “experiences” happen at popular festivals like the AmericanaFest, A3C, and SXSW. Others take place in the form of surprise pop-up music performances in public areas, such as parks, city squares, malls, and so on.
While experiences may exhibit different art forms and formats, MEM always uses music as a centerpiece. It is important to note that all experiences carry the local spirit of Memphis in one way or another. For instance, MEM-organized events always feature Memphis cuisine, craft beer, and spirits. The organizers also highlight other Memphis-specific cultural landmarks, such as the Indie Memphis Film Festival.
The Importance of MEM Experiences for American Women Indie Music Artists
Not only are the MEM experiences a powerful tool for promoting Memphis and its vibrant art scene, but they are also a way to give publicity to many US female indie musicians. Quite a few of the most beloved indie music women performers have partaken in the MEM experiences organized all over North America.
Some of the most prominent MEM experiences ever organized include:
- The 2016 Memphis Picnic, which was highly praised by renowned outlets like No Depression, American Songwriter, and Paste Magazine;
- The 2017 SXSW Memphis Picnic with 1,200+ attendees from 17 countries and more than 60 US cities;
- The 2018 AmericanaFest event, where one of the MEM performers was featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered podcast.