The do-it-yourself method is based on the idea that anything can be achieved through independence and hard work.
For a university that began as a night school and is imbued with the same fierce independence, it's no surprise that Temple's DIY music scene would thrive. Every weekend, countless Temple students gather in the basements of crowded rowhouses near the main campus, hungry for the deafening music of their classmates.
“Most Temple students are used to having to work for everything they have,” says Jack Klotz, director of Temple's student-run record label, Belltower Music. “And to me, the basic spirit of it is like a temple that is very well suited to DIY as art.”
Temple's house show culture reflects not only the school's attitude, but also the culture of Philadelphia. This city is a hub for musical underdogs. The ever-present class of independent musicians has produced stars of every musical genre. Philadelphia's music capital is North Philadelphia, where two DIY scenes are emerging: hip-hop and indie rock.
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In the 2010s, Philadelphia became the epicenter of the college rock movement. As bands like Modern Baseball and Marietta began to grow in popularity, so did Temple's underground scene.
“I would probably say [the Temple DIY scene] That's something I've noticed within the last 10 years,” Klotz said. “There's always been frat houses and parties and things like that, but the idea of a DIY music scene will be born within 10 years.”
The up-and-coming culture hasn't slowed down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The Temple musician continues his trend of creating gritty rock music that's perfect for listening to in the basement of his Philadelphia tenement house. There, an enthusiastic audience is always ready for the next piece of music.
“After quarantine ended and people started hosting more events, we noticed a huge spike in house show venues,” said 2023 Political Science graduate and author of DIY Music Publications says Reese Harburg, co-founder of RatPie Friends. “When I was a freshman in college, there were only one or two venues, but since COVID-19, people are craving the intimacy of just hanging out in a basement with sweaty people and listening to live music. I think he was.”
This scene is kept alive by the hundreds of Temple students who have found a home there. Whether you're looking for a place to show off your musical talents or are looking for a departure from the typical party culture, Temple's House His show scene provides a change of pace for many. Masu.
Harburg was drawn to the scene after feeling unwelcome at a fractal party near campus.
“I always felt out of place at frat parties and always felt like the odd one out,” Harburg said. “The first thing I did was [a house show] As a freshman, this was before the 2019 coronavirus outbreak, and I immediately felt a sense of belonging. Everybody there was just there to drink beer and enjoy the music, which for me was way better than listening to Mo Bamba for the 80th time that night in the basement of a sweaty flat. ”
Much of the basement scene is defined by giving back to the community. Venues often host charity events, where proceeds from the night are donated to a cause close to home, or even provide harm reduction supplies to attendees.
This scene also served as a springboard for a music career. In a dank basement in North Philadelphia, musicians find a platform for their art and a workshop for their sound.
“Each little house show is probably like a little petri dish in many ways,” Klotz said. “God knows what germs are growing in that basement, but musically, too. Because the other great thing about it, like any other scene, is that people know each other. I mean, the members of this band know the members of that band, and this singer knows the guitarist, so I'd be surprised, myself, that I haven't seen this result yet. I would be surprised if there was no cross-pollination going on.”
North Philly hip hop scene
Indie rock isn't the only genre with a prominent DIY scene in North Philadelphia. This neighborhood has produced hip-hop icons like Meek Mill and Questlove, along with countless independent artists.
Queue Rainy, owner and operator of community-based independent record label Everquest Recordings, has been hosting Freestyle Fridays in her home studio for the past 20 years. He hopes to build a community by inviting rappers to talk and make music each week.
Rainey believes his work at Everquest Recordings is a form of support for the community. He hopes to bridge the ever-widening generational gap he's noticed in his neighborhood and shine a light on North Philadelphia's talent through his own work.
“So many talented people are just walking around doing nothing, and we don't realize it because we don't have the opportunity to talk to them,” Rainey said. “But when you actually see it, you think, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ Like I said, there are a lot of unsung stars in our neighborhood.”
In 2017, Rainey and his family appeared in the documentary Quest: A Portrait of an American Family, which profiled Rainey's work in the North Philadelphia hip-hop scene. This documentary led to the creation of Freestyle His Fridays at Temple and helped Rainey grow his community.
For three years, Rainey partnered with WRTI, a jazz station established on Temple's main campus, to host Freestyle Fridays once a month on Temple's campus. Access to Temple's recording studio increased the scale and impact of the event.
“Without a doubt, [Freestyle Fridays were] It’s like the best thing ever,” Rainey said. “I can say that with certainty. Many children felt valued because they were invited into a facility where they would normally have to pay to enter.”
Freestyle Fridays have been canceled at Temple due to the closure of the main campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rainey still hosts events at her home, but space limits the number of people she can attend each week.
Rainey wants to get the scene back to its pre-pandemic state and bring Freestyle Fridays back to Temple's campus.
“It only takes one person to care for it,” Rainey said. “Anyone who has a little bit of power, let's do it. People who care a little bit about their community, have a little bit of power, and want to make a difference like I do.”