What makes a music scene thrive? Join us for an in-depth conversation with Brady Turner of 317 Shows, where he breaks down how strategic booking and community-first thinking are amplifying Indianapolis's DIY music culture.

From booking 80+ shows in 2024 to cultivating one of the Midwest's most dynamic all-ages communities, Brady outlines the strategic thinking behind:

* Building sustainable show infrastructure from scratch

* Fostering an inclusive, all-ages environment that keeps scenes alive

* Balancing the needs of venues, bands, and audiences

* Breaking genre barriers while maintaining scene authenticity

* Supporting emerging artists and young bands

* Developing your city as a destination for touring acts

🤝 What's the biggest challenge facing your local music scene right now? How is your community working to overcome it? Tell us below in the comments!

Throughout our conversation, Brady breaks down the realities of balancing show promotion, band life, and community building. His journey from driving hours to catch shows in Southern Indiana to becoming a key figure in Indianapolis's music ecosystem offers real perspective on growing sustainable scenes.

The discussion dives into his experiences with Rest Assured, revealing the challenges and rewards of being both a promoter and performer in your local scene. For anyone invested in DIY music culture—whether you're booking shows, playing in bands, or just starting to get involved—Brady's insights shed light on what it takes to keep underground music thriving.

Timestamps:

00:00 Scene Building: Starting From Zero

02:04 DIY Show Success: Key Elements

04:24 Creating Sustainable Venues

10:09 Why All-Ages Shows Matter

12:12 Supporting Young Artists

16:12 Artist Perspective: Rest Assured

19:49 Future of Indianapolis Music

24:27 Scene Infrastructure

27:14 Digital Integration

31:29 Getting Involved

Connect with 317 Shows: Instagram

Follow Rest Assured: Instagram

🏠 How has your local scene evolved over the past few years? What changes have you seen? Let us know in the comments!

Watch more Local Music Shapes Culture: YouTube | Substack

Listen now on Spotify | Apple Music

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Local Music Shapes Culture is a reader-supported publication celebrates life in local music scenes, insights and resources on building community, and having fun. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support this work.

This week on Local Music Shapes Culture I sit down with Devin Kerr—drummer for the Indianapolis hardcore band Slur and creator of the hip-hop project Draggin’ Knuckles. Devin talks about his experiences finding his place in music, experimenting with different styles, and connecting with others through shared creativity.

Starting with his roots drumming as a kid and forming his first bands in middle and high school, including a Christian metalcore group, he then talks about transitioning to playing in hardcore punk bands. He shares how growing up with a dad with weirdo music taste and navigating diverse musical influences shaped his approach to music. We then explore how Devin became part of his band Slur, a name that’s both politically charged and cleverly tongue-in-cheek, and how he balances band life with his passion for hip-hop production and engaging in the larger DIY music community.

Devin explains his approach to making beats on his phone for his rap project, the different creative workflows between solo rap and band collaboration, and experiences with different recording studios in the city. We also take a broader look at the local music scene history, from the frequency of mixed-genre shows to the scene’s recent resurgence post-pandemic, and discuss how grassroots events continue to foster connections between the artists and their fans.

Jump to the highlights:

* Introduction: Meet Devin Kerr, drummer of the band Slur and rapper behind Draggin’ Knuckles. (00:00)

* Discovering Music: Early exposure to drums and starting bands with his brother. (00:47)

* The Evolution of Slur: How the band formed with a mix of political and playful tones. (07:03)

* Rap Projects: Balancing solo projects making beats and band commitments. (10:05)

* Recording in Indianapolis: DIY setups, local studios, and creative collaborations. (14:49)

* Local DIY Scene: Supportive community dynamics and challenges. (24:23)

* Musical Influences: Devon’s wide-ranging inspirations from jazz to hardcore. (28:23)

* The Role of DIY in Local Music: How DIY ethos shapes organic, resourceful music-making. (34:23)

* Favorite Local Bands and Influences: Shoutouts to standout Indianapolis acts. (36:48)

* The Energy of Hardcore Shows: The adrenaline of performances and mosh pit culture. (51:04)

* Connecting with Devin and Slur Online: Social media handles and upcoming projects. (56:13)

Subscribe to hear more on DIY music culture and support artists sharing their perspectives, their stories, and the impact of local scenes on creative culture. Hear the stories behind music and the experiences that shape it.

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This reader-supported publication celebrates life in the local music scenes, insights, and resources on building community and having fun. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support this work.

Watch all episodes of Local Music Shapes Culture here: alisonchristoff.substack.com

There’s a lot of work that comes with Being In A Band. It ain’t all goofing off at practice and experiencing the thrill of playing shows. In this week’s episode of Local Music Shapes Culture, I explore the difficult aspects that come with being in a band.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

[0:01:28 - 0:03:34] Challenges of finding the right band members and aligning on vision/vibe

[0:03:34 - 0:05:23] Significant time and logistical demands of managing a band

[0:06:48 - 0:08:31] Performance anxiety and pressure of being the front person

[0:09:10 - 0:10:54] Difficulties with consistency, scheduling, and maintaining band momentum

[0:11:55 - 0:13:40] The emotional impact of scene drama

[0:15:23 - 0:17:08] Financial and practical challenges of running a band

[0:17:12 - 0:18:26] The joy and personal growth that can come from performing

[0:22:22 - 0:25:33] Balancing making art with living life and inspiration

UPCOMING CONTENT:

* New podcast episodes of Local Music Shapes Culture drop every Sunday at 8 PM on Substack and YouTube.

Keep up-to-date:

* Watch: youtube.com/@alisonchristoff

* Follow: @ronstadtdad on Instagram

* Join the community: alisonchristoff.substack.com

* Email: [email protected]

Cover photo by Facu Rosales

What are some of the lesser known time consuming aspects of being in a band for you? I love it all regardless, but I for sure struggle to keep up with band obligations when life gets busy.

This reader-supported publication celebrates life in the local music scenes, insights, and resources on building community and having fun. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support my work here—thank you :)

Watch the first episode of Local Music Shapes Culture here:alisonchristoff.substack.com

Welcome to the first episode of my new podcast, Local Music Shapes Culture, where I talk about what DIY music is—its culture, its spaces, and why it’s such a special and unique part of local music.

What’s DIY?DIY music isn’t about big budgets, polished performances, or waiting for someone to give you a platform. It’s about people—bands, organizers, and showgoers—creating spaces for art and connection on their own terms. From house shows to basement gigs to skate parks with generators, DIY proves that music thrives wherever people care enough to make it happen.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

* What DIY music scenes are and why they matter.

* The charm of DIY shows: no pressure, no polish, just unrefined expression

* How I found my way into the DIY scene in Indianapolis.

* What makes DIY different from other local music scenes.

* Why DIY is about community, fairness, and creation over profit.

UPCOMING CONTENT:

* New podcast episodes drop every Sunday at 8 PM on Substack and YouTube.

This podcast isn’t just about sharing what DIY is—it’s about showing you why it matters and how you can be part of it. Whether you’re curious about attending your first show, starting a band, or just want to hear stories from the scene, there’s something here for you.

Get new episodes and stories delivered every Sunday.

Keep up-to-date:

* Watch: youtube.com/@alisonchristoff

* Follow: @ronstadtdad on Instagram

* Join the community: alisonchristoff.substack.com

email: [email protected]

DIY thrives when we show up. I’ll see you next Sunday.