What's happening in the cultural underground?

[deutsey]

What I mean by that is: What are the music groups, who are the writers, actors, poets, etc., that aren't on the corporate leash (yet) but are making cultural waves?

Bands and people, in other words, you won't see promoted in the corporate media but who are nonetheless creating an underground buzz.

They may be just local or have a regional, national, or even international following. But you aren't going to hear about them because they haven't been processed by the machine yet.

I'm thinking more of creative, artistic types, not political writers/commentators (like Will Pitt). Think of the Beats in early '50s, or the punks in the mid-'70s before they were a blip on the mainstream radar.

[KurtNYC]

1. The MSM won't talk about these guys

http://www.thebots.net/FuzzyMath.htm

and many similar artists.

[deutsey]

2. Thanks! I'm checking out their site.

They seem to fit the criteria for what I'm looking for.

[deutsey]

3. Michael Franti and Spearhead

http://www.spearheadvibrations.com/index.html

[deutsey]

4. Check out his new documentary

http://www.slamdance.com/2005/festival/film_detail.asp?film_id=608

http://www.iknowimnotalone.com/

Michael Franti's Musical Journey Through War in the Middle East

Armed with an acoustic guitar and a video camera, musician Michael Franti takes us on a musical journey through war and occupation in Iraq, Israel and Palestine. Along the way he shares his music with families, doctors, musicians, soldiers and everyday people who in turn reveal to him the often overlooked human cost of war.

Told in their own words, this film provides a rare glimpse into the lives of those who are affected by war the most. Michael’s storytelling and songs masterfully weave the film into a visual and musical tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.

[deutsey]

5. This is what I was expecting, but here's a kick anyway...

There's nothing going out there beyond corporate-sanctioned entertainment?

[deutsey]

6. One last attempt

No one knows of anything outside the corporate matrix?

[Bridget Burke]

7. If you were truly hip, you'd know....

(Joking, sort of.)

What's going on in your own community? Start there.

[deutsey]

8. If that's true, DU is the unhippest place around

based on the lack of responses.

I did mention Franti, btw. He and Spearhead are doing some interesting things, from music to documentary. They are activists and they've started their own record label.

[deutsey]

9. Oh, and BTW

there ain't a whole happening here in the rural community I live in, hence my question about what others here are following.

[crispini]

10. Here's one of my favorite local bands:

http://www.sortaweb.com/

Edited to add: I like these guys too: http://www.deathraydavies.com/

And, they're not quite as underground as they used to be, but no mention of the Dallas scene would be complete without them:
http://www.thepolyphonicspree.com/main.html

[GOPisEvil]

12. Deathray Davies rules!

:thumbsup:

They're playing SXSW this year! Whee!

[crispini]

13. Hi!

Have you ever heard their side project, I Love Math? They remind me a lot of Belle and Sebastian. Very very cool.

I think I may come down there on 3/11 for Slobberbone's last show EVER. Do you think anyone else would be interested?

[dean_dem]

11. The Wrens

Great band that has been generating a pretty limited but good amount of buzz. It's a travesty they aren't more well-known.

www.wrens.com