Meet the Orgs: 6th Annual ‘Feel the Love’ Music Industry Expo

Contributed by Paris Lailson, AMF Intern

 

A night of networking and career growth is upon the Austin music community, and you don’t want to miss it! The 6th Annual ‘Feel the Love’ Music Industry Expo will be returning to Emo’s on February 18th, uniting musicians with music support nonprofits from all over Austin. The keystone event provides Austin’s music community with knowledge about the ample music support resources available to help artists build their professional careers in music.

‘Feel the Love’ was built by and for Austin music; local artists have the opportunity to connect with organizations that have their best interests at heart. The featured nonprofits offer free services and access to affordable healthcare, legal advice and professional career development in the Austin area. 

Over the past six years, AMF has exhibited numerous music support organizations through the ‘Feel the Love’ Expo, and this year isn’t any different, with twenty-plus amazing organizations participating. 

This year we’re excited to welcome four new non-profits to the ‘Feel the Love’ family, as well as highlighting all the great nonprofits joining us this year! Read on to learn more about this year’s participating organizations.

 

New This Year

Austin Texas Musicians

“To Serve As the Trusted Voice for Austin Musicians”

The Austin Texas Musicians group originally started ten years ago by Nakia Reynoso as a Facebook group geared toward connecting the musician community. Nakia saw the need to create a place where artists can connect and talk about issues stirring in the music community. Over the years, it has grown from a hundred and fifty members to over four thousand music creators who are continuously engaging and sharing ideas. The group has now formed into a nonprofit, working as lobbyists, uplifting the voices of Austin musicians, advocating change on policies that affect Austin musician’s livelihoods. After all, Austin is the live music capital of the world, doesn’t that warrant the voices of the musicians who built it to be heard? 

Learn more: www.austintexasmusicians.org

 

Austin Music Export

Facilitating performance opportunities for Austin artists outside of Austin

Founded by Donovan Keith, the Austin Music Export is an organization built to help Austin based artists reach national and international markets. Created with the observation that artists become “trapped under a glass dome around Central Texas,” Austin Music Export says they are here to break that standard. Aiding musicians in branching out to unfamiliar live music scenes, the Austin Music Export creates the perfect networking and growth opportunities for the artists. This complete new resource for professional musicians in Austin sets out to generate artist showcases in key cities, help provide stipends for travel expenses and assist in making connections within new markets. For an artist struggling to escape from playing the same venues in front of the same crowds, Austin Music Export may be your dream come true. 

Learn more: www.austinmusicexport.org

 

ACC Music Business, Performance + Technology

Providing incredible insight and training for jobs in all aspects of the music industry

If you are a music-oriented person wondering where to go for comprehensive studies in different aspects of the Music Industry, then turn your attention to the Austin Community College Music Business, Performance + Technology department. The associate of applied science degree offers specializations in Audio Engineering, Digital Composition, Live Sound and Stage Production, Music Business, and Music Performance. Additionally, students can opt to receive a certificate for any of the aforementioned fields of study, or concurrently with an associate, saving time and money. Pursuing a degree with the MBPT department will offer hands-on experience and set students up for internships in their final semester. Starting Fall 2020, the MBPT department is expanding its facilities and moving to the larger, ACC Highland Campus.  

Learn more: austincc.edu/mbpt

 

 The House of Songs

Inviting songwriters from all around the world to share the universal language of music 

The House of Songs may be the ultimate destination for a songwriter seeking an escape to create among music-centered individuals. THOS has locations in New York, Arkansas, and Austin giving songwriters the option to experience different cultural experiences and sites. The established nonprofit hosts various programs, ranging from standard stays to extended residency, a multi-region tour, songwriter summits, and local co-writes. The ATX Player-2-Player co-write program is highly beneficial for the Austin artist, searching for peer-to-peer collaborations. At no charge to the artist, THOS opens its doors, coordinating jam sessions among the best of Austin’s songwriters. THOS is a place where artists from all over the world can travel to forge new ideas, build friendships, and write marvelous music.

Learn more: www.thehouseofsongs.org

 

Welcome Back

American Federation of Musicians, Local 433

The Austin Federation of Musicians local chapter has assisted local musicians with wages, ensuring that local businesses provide proper working conditions, and offer guidance on any issues relating to their employment.  

Learn more: www.afm433.com

 

Arts & Entertainment Legal Clinic

The Arts & Entertainment Legal Clinic provides weekly free legal appointments for artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and others working in entertainment and the arts.

Learn more: artsandentertainmentlegalclinic.com

 

Beyond the Grade

Beyond the Grade develops confidence and community in underserved youth in Central Texas through after school music education. Taught by local musicians, the curriculum is inspired by students’ interests, providing opportunities for creative expression and empowerment.

Learn more: BeyondtheGrade.org

 

Black Fret

The goal behind Black Fret is to enable the creation and performance of new music by Austin’s exceptional local musicians. 

Learn more: Blackfret.org

 

City of Austin Economic Development, Music & Entertainment Division

Supports and recruits business to Austin through all our divisions: Cultural Arts, Global Business Expansion, Heritage Tourism, Music & Entertainment, Redevelopment, and Small Business.

Learn more: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/economic-development

 

EQ Austin

EQ Austin’s mission is to stimulate cultural representation and foster economic prosperity in the music and creative sector through an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens. 

Learn more: www.eqaustin.org

 

Health Alliance for Austin Musicians 

HAAM provides access to affordable healthcare for Austin’s low-income working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness. Many Austin musicians are self-employed and have no access to health insurance or basic healthcare. That’s where HAAM comes in to resolve challenges such as long-neglected dental work to hearing loss, heart problems and depression. HAAM and its partners improve and save musicians’ lives and enhance Austin’s economy and quality of life. 

Learn more: www.myhaam.org

 

Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers

HOME works to channel the generous donations of those who love Austin music toward housing aid and assistance for aging musicians.

Learn more: www.homeaustin.org

 

KAZI 88.7

Austin Community Radio, Inc. operating as KAZI 88.7 is the longest-running community station in Austin. The station is a listener-supported, non-commercial community radio station, staffed almost entirely by volunteers who work together out of a sense of commitment and concern for our community. Their mission is to reach and provide educational programming and information with special emphasis on media access for the African-American community and other groups previously unserved by existing radio stations in Austin.

Learn more: www.kazifm.org

 

Kids In A New Groove

Kids In A New Groove provides Texas youth in foster care with a committed one-on-one mentoring relationship through weekly, private music instruction, giving students the ability to build concrete strategies for lifelong success.

Learn more: www.kidsinanewgroove.org

 

KOOP Radio 91.7 FM

KOOP’s mission is to engage, connect, and enrich the entire community, including the underserved, through creating diverse, quality, educational music, and news programming.

Learn more: www.koop.org

 

KUTX 98.9

KUTX is a non-profit, listener-supported music service broadcasting from the University of Texas. KUTX exists to reflect the spirit and diversity of Austin’s music scene, to provide a global platform for Austin artists, and to introduce listeners to the best new music from around the world. 

Learn more: kutx.org

 

Rancho Alegre

Rancho Alegre Radio is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Conjunto music. Projects include digitizing analog recordings, interviewing legendary and up-and-coming artists, maintaining and constructing a historical record of Tejano and Conjunto music, connecting artists with professional and business services, and presenting the annual Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival and various events throughout the year.

Learn more: www.ranchoalegre.org

 

SaulPaul Foundation 

The SaulPaul Foundation unlocks students’ potential by means of relatable entertainment, technology, and creative school programs. Through partnerships with local area schools and businesses, The SaulPaul Foundation works with students, parents, teachers, and community members to empower youth to make better choices and live better lives. 

Learn more: www.SaulPaulFoundation.org

 

SIMS Foundation

SIMS Foundation provides mental health and substance use recovery services for musicians, music industry professionals, and their families to support the well-being of the Austin music community.

Learn more: www.simsfoundation.org

 

Swan Songs

Swan Songs fulfills musical last wishes by organizing private concerts for the elderly or terminally ill individuals. At no cost to the family, a favorite style of music or regional musician is brought directly to the home or care facility. Committed to supporting live music in the community, Swan Songs compensates its musicians for each performance.

Learn more: swansongs.org

 

Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA)

TALA was formed in 1979 to meet the legal and accounting needs of artists and art nonprofits. Services include lawyer and accountant pro bono assistance for artists, patent pro bono assistance for inventors, dispute resolution services, and educational programs for the artistic and business communities. Programs are designed to help participants apply sound business practices to protect intellectual property, advance careers, and develop income. 

Learn more: talarts.org

 

Texas Music Office

The Texas Music Office serves as a clearinghouse for Texas music industry information via a business referral network comprised of Texas music businesses, and as a liaison between music businesses and government offices and agencies. They work to publicize significant developments within the industry and to attract the essential music industry to foster the economic development of Texas music businesses and musicians.

Learn more:  gov.texas.gov/music

 

AMF would like to thank these organizations for enriching the lives of Austin musicians with their services, and for their continued partnership with ‘Feel the Love’! We hope you’ll join us this year.

Austin Music Foundation Presents the 6th Annual ‘Feel the Love Expo’

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 18

Time: 7-9 pm

Location: Emo’s, 2015 E Riverside Dr, Austin TX 78741

See you there! RSVP here.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.