2015 Recap: A Q&A with the Founder's of Black Fret

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Black Fret Founders Close 2015 with a Ball

but Keep Eyes on ‘16

(Co-Founder Matt Ott)

(Co-Founder Matt Ott)

Written by: Alex Tronche
Photography: Chisum Pierce

The supporters and sponsors of Austin’s music charity Black Fret celebrated the organization’s sophomore class of grant winners by hosting the second annual Black Ball at The Paramount in December. The night was packed with drinks, awards and, of course, plenty of music as more than 15 bands and artists shared the stage for quick but powerful live performances that covered everything from soul to country to rock.

Black Fret also took the opportunity to announce that all 20 of the 2015 nominees would earn a grant including Austin favorites Mother Falcon and rising stars like Tameca Jones. With $145,000 available for contributions, this meant that each nominee can use 2016 to unlock significant grant dollars to use as they see fit - for writing, producing, touring or even just to keep the lights on.

As the year came to a close, RAD had the chance to ask founders Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott about their perspective on 2015 and what we should expect from the artists and organization in the new year. 

RAD (Alex): It's been nearly a year since we last spoke and Black Fret looks to have made the most of it. Can you recap some of the successes or challenges the organization has seen?

2015 was a really great year for us in so many ways. We held over 20 events in some of the best venues and homes in town and had artist after artist deliver amazing musical experiences. And not only from our 2015 Nominees but also from the other local bands we booked to play Black Fret events. We love introducing our members to the best music in town and love when our members point out great acts to us. As far as challenges I’d have to say it can be summed up in one word: rain! We wound up tenting or moving quite a few of our events. Extremely grateful for our full lakes but the weather proved to make our signature house parties harder to pull off. But the show always went on! And of course we are always looking for more Austinites to step up and join us as a Patron of Local Music.

RAD (Alex): What are some of the most memorable or creative ways Black Fret artists have unlocked their grant dollars this year?

To see the artists unlock their grant dollars to record over 70 new songs, have another 41 in lyric or demo stage, create nine music videos, perform over 150 times outside Austin and perform almost 30 concerts for other nonprofits in town has been hugely gratifying. Our artists have continually impressed us with their hard work and diligence to advancing their art and careers. To see real, tangible results in the form of new albums and more successful tours has been a lot of fun.

RAD (Alex): How would you describe the class of 2015 grant nominees?

Our first two classes of nominees have both been outstanding. And yes, there have been wonderful surprises in both years. Our nominees are selected via member vote, advisor vote, two artists from the Austin Music awards and for 2015 and beyond, the vote of our prior year’s artists. To see their voice added was really special. We love that these different perspectives fuel our annual group of nominees and expect the selections to only get better as the years go by and our members, advisors and artists get more involved and enthusiastic about the process.

RAD (Alex): What have been some of your favorite clubs, events or parts of town to go to explore new music? And are there any artists who are on the radar for 2016?

We have had amazing events at North Door, the Listening Room at Winflo, the Parish, Empire Control Room and so many others. And have some really special surprise locations on tap for 2016. We are also very excited to once again deliver the music to the Art City festival in late April. Expect to see a huge amount of music on that stage over two days. Austinites should keep an eye on Black Fret - and join! - to have what I am know will be an amazing musical year!

RAD (Alex): What are you, the Black Fret members and the grant-winning artists looking to achieve in next year? Any surprises we should be watching out for?

We look forward to growing! And look forward to delivering an even more incredible experience to our Patrons of Local Music. And yes, we have some cool surprises on tap! To see how the over $275,000 we have granted to local musicians has impacted their careers and the city has been inspiring. And know that with each Austinite who joins and supports our city and our music we can do even more. Bottom line, 2016 is going to rock.

 

Check out more photos & event coverage of the Black Fret Ball here!

Check out Black Fret grant recipients such as Mother Falcon, Rider's Against the Storm, Ruby Jane, & many more!  

Photography: Chisum Pierce

Gina Chavez "Siete-D" Music Video Premiere

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Austin musician Gina Chavez premiered the music video of her hit song "Siete-D" Saturday night at the Stateside Theatre in downtown Austin. With an amazing lineup of some of Austin's finest musicians including Mother Falcon, Elizabeth McQueen,  Riders Against the Storm and Gina Chavez herself. It was another great night of music in the live music capitol of the world bringing together an all star lineup benefiting the Ninas Arriba College Fund. 

The benefit celebrated the official Video Premiere for her song “Siete-D,” a rock-cumbia-rap mix that explores the delights and dangers of El Salvador from a window on the 7-D bus she rode as a volunteer there in 2010. The Spanish-language song won the Grand Prize in the 2014 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (JLSC) and features Chavez’s first rap. The official video – filmed last October in El Salvador – follows Chavez on an exciting cross-country journey to reunite with a group of young women she considers her Salvadoran sisters, four of whom are able to attend college on Niñas Arriba scholarships.

Niñas Arriba is a campaign to change the world, one girl at a time. Donations directly fund high-quality, low-cost college education for young women in a gang-dominated suburb in El Salvador where founders Gina Chavez and Jodi Granado taught English for eight months. The campaign currently supports full scholarships for three students - Xiomara, Marta and Vanessa - to attend Don Bosco University, a private, Catholic college in Soyapango, San Salvador. Each scholarship covers monthly tuition, academic fees and supplies, food and transportation, and funds are sent directly to the university in the students' names. All donations are accepted through the fund's fiscal sponsor, Stone Room Concerts, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations are tax-deductible. For further information, please visitninarriba.wordpress.com.

 

 To learn more about the Ninas Arriba College Fund visit: https://ninasarriba.wordpress.com                                                               For Inquiries: Gina Chavez - http://ginachavez.com / Mother Falcon - http://www.motherfalcon.com /                                      Elizabeth McQueen - http://elizabeth-mcqueen.com / Riders Against The Storm - http://rashiphop.com                                                Photography by: Nick Kwasny - http://nicholaskwasnyphotography.com                                                                                                  

Black Fret Kick Off Party 2015

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Black Fret Kicks Off its 2015 Campaign

The Austin music charity Black Fret recently hosted its 2015 launch party at the Gibson Brands showroom, inviting members and their lucky guests to see performances by rising local acts Aaron Behrens & The Midnight Stroll, The Digital Wild and Barfield.

The showroom made for a distinct backdrop with brightly lit neon signs and the brand’s signature guitars surrounding members, guests and the musicians themselves, who brushed shoulders with the audience and made for great conversation in between sets.

Members have much to look forward to in the coming year as Black Fret organizes more events with their 2014 grant winners and vets those bands and artists nominated for the 2015 funds.

You can learn more about Black Fret by visiting the organization’s website here.

Written by: Alex Tronche                                                                                                                                                                                           Photography by: Chisum Pierce - http://www.getchisumed.com

Black Fret Black Ball

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Inaugural Black Ball at the Paramount Theater 

Black Fret a new non-profit organization here in Austin, was founded by Matt Ott and Colin Kendrick from the Austin Music Foundation. They held the first annual Black Ball at the Paramount Theater on November 8th. Black Fret is a new organization that focuses on local musicians and supporting them to flourish in the music industry by raising money through its membership program. Since working on the foundation as of 2013, both Matt and Colin have been able to recruit close to 100 members and raise $100,000 for the nominees, which were disbursed to ten bands that were awarded $10,000 each at the Black Ball. The nominees were comprised of 20 bands from the Austin area all competing for a $10,000 grant.

Hosting the event at the Paramount Theater in downtown Austin, 16 of the 20 members performed in honor of the Black Ball. Everyone put on a killer performance; and it brought local artists together and the patrons who enjoy their music which is what makes Black Fret such a special organization for the Austin Community. Each of the musicians playing from the Jitterbug Vipers to Graham Wilkinson definitely has a unique sound of their own, showing the complexity of the Austin music scene.

Black fret’s mission is: ” focused solely on funding the creation and performance of new music by the fine musicians who play the clubs and coffee shops of our amazing city.” 

That is exactly what Black Fret has done. They have created an organization to help musicians in an age that is very hard to make it in the music industry. To become a member it’s roughly around $100 a month or $1500.00 a year. In joining the Black Fret membership program, you are able to help in the voting process of who will be the coming year’s nominees. During that year there are several private parties leading up to the Black Ball. Were the nominees’ holds a private concert in an intimate setting for the members, to see them live before the grants are given away at the end of the year.

Although all of the nominees were fantastic, the Winners of this year’s Black Ball included: Amy Cook, Elizabeth McQueen, Erin Ivey, Gina Chavez, Graham Wilkinson, Lincoln Durham, Mother Falcon, Quiet Company, The Rocketboys, and Wild Child.

To find out more about how you can join Black Fret or any of the nominees for 2014 please visit the links below.

 For Inquiries on Black Fret and the nominees and winners: http://www.blackfret.org                                                                       Written by: Kathryn Leffingwell                                                                                                                                                        Photography by: Chisum Pierce - http://www.getchisumed.com