This piece was originally featured in AM01 — Issue One of Ascribe. Click here to read it alongside the rest of the issue.
With contributors across the world, the local music scenes each of Ascribe’s team members are part of vary drastically. Three contributors teamed up to dig into what makes their city’s scene special.
Words by Sofia Savino:
Staying involved in my local scene has always been the source of my unparalleled joy. Ever since attending my first DIY show in May of 2022, I have been sucked into a world of unbelievably brilliant minds. Even as a small state with very little going on, Delaware has a thriving scene — primarily based in Newark and Wilmington. I have had no problem keeping up with the community, as a good friend of mine runs a local house venue called The Temple.
I absolutely adore The Temple; a dry, all-ages venue run by the most delightful people that I have had the joy of meeting. Back in the summer months, I obsessively tracked the schedule and attended every show held there.
Having a local hub for such creative individuals to express a shared love of music was undoubtedly an inspiration for me to branch out and explore more of the DIY scene. I have had the pleasure of working with the most delightful and talented bands — extra love to Mind Goblin and Think Machine for being so supportive as I began my own journey into the world of Delaware DIY.
Even though I have been working towards expanding my horizons past the Delaware borders, I still make it my mission to attend as many Temple shows as I possibly can to get my fix of serotonin.
Words by Tallulah Allen:
Having grown up in a tiny, countryside village on the outskirts of London, I quickly discovered that I would have to venture into the city to really immerse myself into the scene.
An avid concert goer since I was much younger, I began reviewing shows more recently and haven’t looked back — attending shows large and small at venues all over the capital and meeting fellow music journalists, enthusiasts and superfans along every step of the way.
That being said, it was joining a university in a city that values music so much that allowed me to dive head first into all things live, filling my free time by watching local artists perform a stone’s throw away from my accommodation, stumbling upon new genres, voices and sharing magical moments with strangers brought together for the same reason.
Working at the university radio station also opened the door to a creative community of friends and colleagues united by their love for music and desire to see local singers and groups flourish.
My involvement with the Cambridge music scene and its proximity to London have been the perfect antidote to the sometimes stressful student life — the circle of music lovers here is so present and diverse, spanning classical to hard rock and everything in between.
Words by Amber Orta:
I’M a photo music journalist, so staying involved in the scene of a major city like Houston isn’t hard at all. It’s important that I stay in touch with what’s happening in my local scene, otherwise I have no journalism to do!
I’m constantly going to shows with friends and looking at venues for performances, I’m friends with staff at venues, I’m friends with different artists, fellow photographers and journalists. I love surrounding myself with creative people!
I think it’s important to also go to shows just for fun, it doesn’t always have to be work. Staying involved in the scene also means enjoying the scene. Going into random bars where a friend is performing for the first time, going to a concert just because a friend is shooting the show, and simply talking and befriending the other people in line for a concert.
That’s what it means to stay involved in the scene.
