I know I’ve tweeted this a few times, but I’m excited to announce that I’ve joined the Board at SpokesBUZZ.org! SpokesBUZZ is a great organization that started in Fort Collins in 2010 and is quickly growing – they even just opened a Denver office!

But let me back up a bit and explain a bit more about what SpokesBUZZ is all about and why I accepted a position on their board.

SpokesBUZZ’s Mission:

• Develop the professionalism of artists
• Promote and connect progressive cultural destinations
• Amplify music scenes
• Grow local economies

Incubator Program

What does that mean exactly? Well each year they take in 6 local bands (they used to be Fort Collins exclusively, but have recently expanded to include Denver, as well) into their 2 year incubator program, so at any given time there are 12 bands in their incubator program. The current roster of bands include:

• Eldren
• Gasoline Lollipops
• Grant Farm
• Izcalli
• Maxwell Hughes
• Pandas & People
• Qbala
• Shatterproof
• The Yawpers
• Wasteland Hop
• Winchester Holiday
• Wiredogs

These bands have monthly educational sessions with industry leaders to connect the bands with mentors to help them along the way, and also to give them some guidance when it comes to things like management, law, accounting and more! Over the past 4 years I’ve spoken on a few panels regarding social media and marketing for bands, and seen a great improvement from the bands who attended!

Colorado Music Party

Beyond the bands in SpokesBUZZ’s incubator program, they also host a venue with two stages at SXSW to showcase the great Colorado music scene in Austin. I can’t say much yet, but I’m really looking forward to their Colorado Music Party at SXSW in 2015 – it’s going to be great!

Bandswap

I’m really excited about this program. We know that Colorado has an amazing music scene, and that Fort Collins and Denver are exceptional. But how many other cities around the United States also have great local bands and supportive fans? Bandswap aims to target those cities and swap bands with them! SpokesBUZZ will send seven of their bands out to another city in September to play with locals there and then in October, they will bring the bands from the other cities back to Denver and Fort Collins to play a few shows here in town! Not only will this highlight other bands and introduce them to another audience, but will highlight other awesome cities who are supportive of their local music scenes.

That’s just a quick snapshot of the goodness that SpokesBUZZ does for the local music scene and band, and I’m so thankful to be a part of their future. It’s only been a month, but I feel like I’m already able to help and can’t wait to see where we go in the coming months. Be sure to follow them on Twitter, and check out all of their bands playing at the Underground Music Showcase!