Debunking the House of Finch

Here we go,

About three-ish years ago there arose a pan-sexual music bazaar that goes by the name of Finch House Records.  Finch House Records has created a bit of an indie empire for itself over the last couple years thanks to bands like Fancy Rat, The Equines, and Cats in the Basement.  Here's the problem with the methods they have used to garner their following:  by hosting 62 shows a week under the facade of a third party booking group called The Closet they have made it increasingly difficult for bands that don't fit the circus-pop genre to have a draw.  A very brief look at the principle of supply-and-demand will tell you that in the very near future nobody will be attending even the esteemed Finch House shows.  Now, according to their facebook page they "are committed to showing there is a young, hip cultural scene of substance in South Florida."  That's a really cute statement, but it would be more accurate if it read "we are committed to showing that there is a small group of insular young people that fancy themselves hip and cultured in Sarasota." That way people won't get the idea that Finch House is open and accepting of everyone. For despite their gregarious personalities and hippy vibe they are really just as judgmental as anybody could be. Obviously the name of the game when booking a show is to play with bands that share some sonic qualities, but if they think Sarasota has a large enough circus-pop market to support seven days a week of the same shit then I have to wonder if they would be doing everyone a favor if they just played shows in each others living rooms (which I'm sure they have done in the past and will continue to do from time to time in the future). So before you easily offended people comment that they've "done so much" for local music, you should ask yourself how much they consider the livelihood of other bands. Finch House is just a clique that's tried to substantiate itself by overloading our venues with their music.

But hey, at least Sarasota's pop-punk scene finally died. That one was rough. I'd much rather have a bunch of inane music than a bunch of boys with $200 haircuts.

My advice to Finch House? Stop playing musical-chairs with your lineups and take a step back to look at the big picture. You shouldn't have to wait for an angry coward like me to point these things out to you. It's time to be adults and think about more than yourselves if want to be a positive force for the entire Sarasota music scene.

Daedalus Aflame