The Baltimorgasm

Wye Oak believes, hon

I came across this term recently in an interview on the AV Club website with Jenn Wasner & Andy Stack from Wye Oak. They used it to describe the local indie scene in the Baltimore area. Was it just a bit of humor on their part or is there actually something more happening in the back alleys of B-more, hon?

There's always a catchy term to describe the era of a band or area music. We all remember the craze (although few of us probably reading this right now lived it) of Beatle-Mania. And T.Rextacy or Bolan-mania. Then when certain areas of the world had their scenes. New York going through two major ones with the 60's Andy Warhol/Velvet Underground art scene.....and later on with a newer art rock scene created by bands such as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Moldy Peaches, and TV On The Radio.

One of Baltimore's breakout acts, Spank
Rock

And let's not forget one of the best in Madchester.....Happy Mondays, Joy Division/New Order, and the birth of rave culture on that side of the sea anyway. It even got its own movie in the form of "24 Hour Party People". Most cities and states have a nice vibrant scene in them; Chicago, New York, California, London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, etc. so why not Baltimore?

Apparently the scene is already happening around us. Bands such as Wye Oak and Beach House are pulling in some nice record label deals, and others are amassing a huge popularity including Spank Rock and Dan Deacon, the latter who tours constantly and even played Coachella in California this year (one of the biggest festivals in the US). And now with this month's Rolling Stone announcing the best scene of 2008 as Baltimore, we might find ourselves in the big leagues.

The "scene" Baltimore is often known for is not
of the musical variety

If only we could stop dragging ourselves down; there's not enough hometown support. It seems everyone who lives in Baltimore always has something negative to say about it, myself has been included on that as well. And while it may have our problems with crime, homelessness, traffic, taxes, dirty political figures, crooked cops, overcrowdedness, & drugs, we have a very vibrant art, music, dining, club scene. And besides, there are worse places; least we're not in Detroit.

No offense intended to people who may live in, planning to live in, or have lived in Detroit. But you have to admit it sucks, right?

- StEvO

PS: To see all the haters/supporters of the "Baltimorgasm" scene, check out Rolling Stone's comment thread.

MP3: Wye Oak - Warning

MP3: Spank Rock - What It Look Like