March 20, 2021
Written by Lexi Abarca and Lou Watson
NORTH POLE STRIP CLUB PROTECTS THE DIY SCENE WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THEIR LIVESTREAM PROJECT "THE MAPLE TAPES"
If you are a college student submerged in the WNY music scene, you have probably found yourself at the little blue house on the outskirts of campus, better known as North Pole Strip Club, checking out some sick musicians or most likely procrastinating studying for your midterms. Either way, North Pole Strip Club, not to be confused with an actual strip club, is an infamous house venue loved by New York local music lovers and is an infamous tour stop for the DIY community. While a normal Saturday night would bring an energized crowd of college students, nowadays, it's nothing more than a living space yearning for the return of live music.
Photo by @Mean_Joe_Photos
(click the picture for more details)
|
But! As we still await live in-person shows, NPSC have come to a temporary solution! Starting March 21st, NPSC presents “The Maple Tapes Live” -- a video series in collaboration with Colorful Emotions. Artists performed a complete live set all authentically shot on the legendary basement stage. Although these sets will be professionally recorded, nothing stops the venue from capturing their true purpose; being a platform for local and DIY musicians to showcase their raw talent.
|
Attending this series will further help give a platform to smaller DIY bands who would have stopped at NPSC on tour if not for the pandemic. From DIY musicians, to their crewmates, to the venues they play at; Keeping the DIY community alive is important to us here at Punkaganda. As mentioned before one of our missions is to uplift smaller talents, from loads of different situations and help them get their foot in the door in regards to the music industry, and the culture of DIY is where it all begins.
|
The current state of the world has been hard for many, including us, to fathom; especially when you don’t have live shows as an escape from reality. Seeing local musicians at our hometown venues made us feel like we had a second home. That feeling is no different when it comes to talking about NPSC. With the rapidly growing DIY scene, this is now the time to uplift each other and NPSC does just that. When we are able to safely gather in a crowd, tear up the pit again and of course right now, make a donation to the NPSC and thank them for their unending support for the DIY scene. Who knows, maybe we will have to make the trip out to NY to thank them in person.
|
As we wait with baited breath for in-person shows to return, “The Maple Tapes Live” can be watched via the North Pole Strip Club Youtube channel. And to feed our musical cravings, a new video will be posted each week, featuring local favorites such as Tooth, The Burkharts, and many more astonishing surprises along the way.
