Why is this blog called City Sound Inertia?
I’m destined to be asked this question sooner or later, so I may as well answer it in my first-ever blog posting.
In 2003, I put together a compilation CD of local Santa Rosa bands who, due to a variety of reasons (lack of press coverage, the nonexistence of MySpace), no one had heard outside of occasional house parties and dingy fly-by-night clubs. I wanted to remedy that. So I collected together 11 songs that I felt were best representative of Santa Rosa’s local music scene at the time, put them on a CD, and sold it for $2.99.
Lots of people, including those at the Bohemian (funny how life works out), took note; but unfortunately, more than a few people, while I was getting songs together, told me something along the lines of “that’s so great, man, ’cause this town sucks for music!”
It hurt. Those of you who know me also know that I’m awfully defensive about Santa Rosa, and by putting together the compilation I wanted to outline precisely that this town does not suck for music; in fact, there’s fantastic music in this town around every corner. It’s hard to get people to take notice of it, true, and being in a band can be a very uphill and very expensive battle, but year in and year out, good music seems to constantly prevail.
With that in mind, I gave the CD a title: City Sound Inertia.
Half the bands on the CD have broken up by now, but the compilation’s liner notes conveying my optimism still hold true. I wrote them quickly but passionately, and in essence, they apply to the future of this blog as well. Read on:
.Whither Thou City Sound Inertia?
7 COMMENTS
LEAVE A REPLY
Claims from grumps young and old that “there’s nothing going on here and it sucks” are a bona-fide indication of a dynamic music scene in a medium-large city. It builds up, thrives, wanes, and begins all over again. But it always begins, and begins and begins. Ends? Never!
I’m really curious about that compilation CD. How can I get my hands on one? Cuz. . . I actually remember going to a LOT of great local shows around here in 2003.
Hi Kate, thanks for asking. The entire pressing of the CD is sold out. It’s unfortunate now, I suppose, but at the time it was thrilling that so many people wanted to hear their own local music. (I distinctly remember selling the last one and thinking, “Wow. It worked!”)
Anyway, hit me up for it and I can make you a copy, and thanks for writing.
what was on the compilation?
Santiago – Filling Fountains
The New Trust – Live Like You Mean It
Escape Engine – February and June
Secret Courtesy – InBetween
Ashtray – Emoliminate
The Set Up – Handshakes are for Strangers
Black Box – Bought Off
The New Usual – Texas
John Courage – Cowboy
Archeopteryx – 2ct Remicks
Dio McLeod – Call and Purpose
I used to have a copy of this, I bought it at a New Trust show. I let someone borrow it and never got it back. I have been searching for it ever since!
I’m on the hunt for good local bands. We put together a raucous pirate festival two weeks from now and our main band (The Hobogoblins) just cancelled. Any suggestions for jug bands or punk-rocky piratey musicians? We already have Les Bons Temps, who are amazing…