Slight change of course today for the sake of MY African-American musicians, inspired by Austin’s Jackie Venson. Earlier this month, she had choice words for the gatekeepers of the “Live Music Capital of the World” who suddenly stood in support of Black Lives Matter. Here’s every glorious one:
“Instead of being silent, today I’m going to demand that my city, Austin, Texas, be better. I see you all chiming in with your voices of support against systemic racism. A lot of you are pretty big players in the ATX music scene. I hope you still believe Black lives matter when you’re choosing your lineups for the major Austin concert events and festivals, when you’re picking out music and songs for your radio shows, when you’re doing artist spotlights. I hope you still believe black lives matter when you’re nominating artists for grants, when you’re promoting artists on your local news music performances, or when you’re partnering up for streaming opportunities. I urge every music industry person in this city to look at YOURSELF. Think about all the times you have seen a black artist in Austin being majorly promoted. Think about all the times a black artist was rejected because y’all are afraid to be uncomfortable, or afraid to make others uncomfortable. Folks will grasp for any other reason, ‘we don’t book hip hop,’ or ‘that kind of music doesn’t fit with our crowd.’ (Crazy because they were saying exactly that to black artists 100 years ago when they were inventing and performing Blues, Jazz and Rock n Roll…) Oh, and if you need evidence of what I’m talking about, simply look around. Look at lineups of past festivals and city events, listen to the radio stations and tell me how much black American culture and artists are, and have been, supported and promoted in this city… Do better Austin.”
So today, we’re gonna blow it up for Jackie and all of the Austin African-Americans who don’t get the love they deserve in this town. Instead of the usual two songs, SIX Austin acts are on deck for today, so with the exception of this first context-setting post, I’ll also be keeping it short & sweet from here.
The Austin American-Statesman calls her “a Gary Clark Jr.-level talent who speaks boldly through her guitar while entrancing with her gorgeous, smoky voice.” That’s usually pretty spot on, but in the song and video for “Joy,” Jackie’s sound is less bluesy than usual and definitely brighter. Literally. The video moves through a variety of symbolically monochromatic scenes, and when you give it a listen, you’ll understand why today, I chose “Joy.”
𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘:
“I decide, I decide my soul is not for rent
I decide, I decide my dreams cannot be bent”