Some local musicians sit around and whine about why no one is doing anything to make them famous.
Others find ways to get their music out there and even come up with ideas to help fellow musicians do so. Amanda Nyx and Michael McFarland, who perform regularly at events such as Ingenuity, are among the latter.
Back in 2019 they started ListenCLE, designed to make local music accessible to ordinary Clevelanders who might never think about going to a club and hearing a local musician. Shortly after that, the pandemic hit, highlighting the value of what they’re doing.
ListenCLE worked with organizations such as the tourism bureau Destination Cleveland, the NFL Draft and the NBA All-Star Game, the Cleveland Public Library the Rock Hall to give musicians, dancers and others the chance to perform on the street and in venues while major events were going on downtown. They’re exploring placing performers with other largfe events and looking at partnering with organizations such as Playhouse Square to have live performers outside regularly, even when there’s no special event going on. They’re soliciting all types of performers: musicians, dancers, circus artists, live painters, variety acts. Go here if you’re interested in hooking up.
“Our goal is to show off the incredibly diverse and high-level talent of musicians, dancers, and more that can be found in Cleveland,” they say. “Submissions are FREE for all performers, and we will never charge you for a listing with us.”
ListenCLE also creates playlists of local music, which it makes available to businesses, restaurants, bars and more. The playlists group music by type of mood such as “Energy Boost, “Groove,” “Misery Loves Company,” “Night Driving and “Spooky Mood.”
You can learn more at the ListenCLE website here.