Noise Ordinance Puts The Spotlight On Local Musicians

Sarasota’s independent music scene is brimming forth with a diverse assortment of very original voices, and Noise Ordinance is here to make sure that those voices are heard – loudly.

Noise Ordinance, a compilation CD that showcases a selection of some of Sarasota’s most talented indie musicians, is celebrating its second annual run after a very successful debut in 2010.

This year, the double-disc compilation features 39 local bands. The album showcases a variety of styles, ranging in genre from folk to hip-hop to rock ‘n’ roll and everything in between.

“The fact that it’s so eclectic really lends to the longevity of the festival,” said Andy Childers, whose band, Lion Choir, is featured on both Noise Ordinance compilations.

“You can come here and get exposed to this great variety of music, and at the same time, you have this amazing sense of community and connectedness," Childers added. "It’s the one day when you can look a complete stranger in the eyes and just understand – you share something.”

The album format for Noise Ordinance 2 is similar to last year’s release, which showcased 38 bands. However, there is one key difference:

Due to the staggering success of last year’s compilation, local artists submitted so much music that the Noise Ordinance committee had to develop an official judging panel to narrow down this year’s selection.

 “Last year we were literally begging people to participate,” confessed Claire Franklin, the mastermind behind Noise Ordinance who also plays drums in the Sarasota-based rock band, Elysian Sex Drive. “This year, though, we had an overwhelming 110 submissions. We didn’t have to turn anyone down last year. This year we had to, and that’s really tough to do.”

What started out as a modest concept that Franklin dreamed up and brought to fruition a year ago has rapidly evolved into one of the largest collaborative efforts by musicians on the Gulf coast.

“It’s just insanely humbling,” said Drew Silverman of Lion Chair. “You’re here, and there is just this amazing number of phenomenal musicians with all these different styles. You find yourself listening to all of this music you wouldn’t normally listen to, and it’s all so good. It’s a real testament to how well the local scene is really thriving; how many amazing artists are out there that you just haven’t had a chance to hear before.”

Throughout the course of the 14-hour CD release bash kicked off at noon on Saturday at Sarasota’s popular beer bar, . During the course of the event, each of the 39 local music acts featured on the album played a 20-minute set of their own original music.

The bands played in non-stop rotation on the 3 stages set up in the bar’s large outdoor venue, assuring that between the hours of 12:00pm on Saturday and 2:00am on Sunday, music was in endless supply.

“The schedule is structured like a ping pong game,” said Franklin. “Once one band finishes playing on one stage, another is already set up and ready to start on the other. That way there’s no down time between each set.”

Last year, the Noise Ordinance committee was unprepared for the massive turnout the event would receive. Expecting no more than a couple hundred attendees at most, event organizers and participants were shocked when 1,000 people came out for the show.

“We were definitely not expecting 1,000 people. Not even close,” Franklin said. “We ended up running out of everything.” This year, anticipating a crowd that would range between 1,000 and 1,500 people throughout the duration of the event, the Noise Ordinance committee was better prepared with more food, merchandise, and accommodations.

Tickets to the event sold for $15 pre-sale or $20 at the door. The price was somewhat higher than what most are used to paying for local shows, but that did not discourage the music fans that packed Cock & Bull to see their favorite hometown bands perform.

The proceeds from this Noise Ordinance CD release are put toward paying the venue and preparations for next year’s Noise Ordinance, Franklin explained. She went on to say that a substantial amount is also put aside to assist the local radio station, WSLR, in its effort to build a new performance studio that will allow bands to play live on the radio.

Although the musicians involved in the event do not receive payment from the ticket sales, they do receive a free stack of Noise Ordinance CDs to sell at their own future shows.

“The exposure is definitely nice, but we don’t care about the money,” said Adam Marret, bassist for Fancy Rat. “If it’s going toward WSLR, that’s good enough for us. They’ve helped us out so much – if they ask us to play a show, of course we’re going to play a show.”

In speaking with the bands, volunteers, and others who came out to support the local music scene, it quickly becomes clear that Noise Ordinance really boils down to two things: Music and community.

“You don’t see a lot of festivals where music is key,” said Franklin. “Around here, it seems like there are usually events where a band might happen to be playing, but it’s not the central feature – it’s more of an afterthought. Noise Ordinance is about the bands; it’s about the fans – it’s about the music.”

Bob Downes, a Noise Ordinance volunteer, voiced his agreement.

“The music scene can be the genesis of greater community,” he said. “It can be really difficult to find a sense of community anywhere, but music can play a really important role in bringing people together. All of these people are here for one common interest. I’m here for the music; we’re all here for the music. It’s amazing.”