Some time ago I used to circle the blogosphere getting to know some of my favorite music bloggers. Since that time, some have come and gone and a whole slew of bloggers have filled the departures void.
Tag Evers of True Endeavors has been bringing live music to Madison for some time. Some of the best concerts I’ve seen in this city are because of the hard work that Tag has done and my memories have him to thank.
Today, he posted his foray into concert promoting which I thought was genuine and refreshingly open. Here’s a peek, read the rest here:
“I sometimes think I subconsciously started up this business so I could drink on the job, which I did in the early days to good measure. It’s an occupational hazard, one that I now try to avoid, but then it helped me when little else could. Of course, what drinking gave, it took back and then some.”
Funny thing is (and I’m sure he doesn’t remember), I did ask him to tell his story some years ago in a “Get To Know You” feature on this site. This place was still in its infancy, so he wisely turned me down. I’m thankful for both his friendship and the music he brings to town.
Tag seems to be under the Pitchforce with the bands he brings to Madison. It would be great to have an independent thinker that could bring in good bands that don’t have the imaginary stamp of quality that 800 pound Gorilla doles out.
Michael,
Suggest some bands that you want to see in Madison…
I don’t think I’m being defensive in saying I’m definitely not beholden to any one genre, nor do I take my cues from hipster websites. Look at my lineup: from Nick Lowe to Abigail Washburn to The Kooks to the Melvins.
I’ve brought artists like The Silos and Chuck Prophet and The Posies, and the crowds are always small and I always lose money. And I’ll keep bringing them because they’re awesome.
But you can always make suggestions, offer feedback, positive or negative. It’s all welcome.
Didn’t Lyle Lovett’s last record get a 9.1 on Pitchfork?
I don’t know, but his show last Sunday was a perfect 10.
whens wud music getting a spotlight!?!?! haha. true endeaovrs booked keller williams, yonder, abigail washburn with bela fleck for the coming fall. dont see these guys being on pitchfork anytime soon. good work
“Tag seems to be under the Pitchforce”
That is an incredibly dismissive statement consider how much Tag brings to town. When was the last time you saw Ani DiFranco, Lyle Lovett, Immortal Technique, or the BoDeans on Pitchfork? Tag definitely has his comfort level when it comes to booking, but I’ve also watched him take some huge chances with artists that are completely untested in Madison and likely lose a lot of money by doing so. I actually think Tag books very few Pitchfork buzz bands, because, based on conversations I’ve had with him, he understands that most of those acts are flashes in the pan and only a few will have staying power.
Tag seems to be interested in finding acts that will be around for a few years and that he can introduce, maybe they won’t do so well, but will build a reputation so he can bring them back again in the future.
When you think about it, michael, it’s almost inevitable that at least some of that Music That Matters is gonna resonate with the Pitchfork crowd.
Nothing wrong with that, as far as I’m concerned. (Thanks for all the hard work and dedication, Tag!)
Thanks for passing this on. It’s a great read.
It seems like Tag is in tune with the hipster, hip-hop, hippie etc. circles all at once, which is more than I can say for myself.
There have been plenty of Tag shows I’ve seen that were successful without the P-fork stamp of approval.
Hey Tag…get Lucero in here (High Noon). I cannot believe they haven’t been here yet. Also, maybe that Bill Mallonee guy from VOL. Saw him at the place that burned and it was memorable. Thanks. Wouldn’t mind seeing The National again either!
It’s always fair to make suggestions, and my impression is that Tag wants to hear ‘em (not to speak for Tag, of course). But he has single-handedly made Madison a stop for many bands who would otherwise skip our town completely. No one does EVERYTHING right, but Tag comes down on the right side of things way more often (sometimes at a financial loss). Thanks for the years of effort, Tag.
Jon