Pop-Up Panel: The Sound and the Fury of Sacramento's Music Scene

The City of Sacramento recently announced it would rethink its ordinance on buskers and outdoor music performers. It also hired a new "Creative Economy" director to think how arts and music can get a bigger boost here.

But there are still some sour notes. The Police Department is still called out to turn the music down. Gentrification means long-time music venues are getting complaints from new neighbors. Local musicians say they lack community support due to a lack of small venues, rehearsal spaces and frugal audiences who don't want to pay.

So what should Sacramento be doing to boost its local music scene, and its musicians? Should we look at top music towns like Austin or Nashville and follow their lead? Or are we doing just fine creating our own plan?

We're talking with musicians, and the people who book and promote them, about how we can achieve perfect pitch in the capital city.

Also, for this podcast, it was fitting to start and end it with music from Sacramento-based performers, so:
Podcast intro music: "Turn Up" by Element Brass Band
Podcast ending music: "Love and Affection" by Todd Morgan and the Emblems

PANELISTS
* Scott Brill-Lehn, concert promoter and owner of SBL Entertainment
* Byron Colborn, baritone saxaphonist and bandleader of several local ensembles, including Element Brass Band and the Byron Colborn Big Band
* Gabriell Garcia, co-owner of the Blue Lamp
* Johnathon Glus, director of Cultural and Creative Economy for the City of Sacramento
* Danielle Vincent, founder of First Festival and Show Up Sacramento
* Paul Willis, local rapper, spoken-word artist, educator and activist

PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY
* O to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers
* 5 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their favorite summer songs
* 10 min - What are Sacramento's music tastes overall, and how have they changed over the years?
* 14 min - The pros and cons of putting on an all-local-music festival in Sacramento
* 19:10 min - The pros and cons of running a live music venue in Sacramento
* 24 min - The pros and cons of "making a survival" as a professional musician in Sacramento
* 29:10 min - Racism in Sacramento's music scene
* 35:45 min - How the City of Sacramento plans to promote and support the music scene
* 42 min - What factors bring Sacramentans out to see music shows
* 47:15 - Why can't more local bands open shows for national acts?
* 53:45 - How parking and permit issues affect Sacramento's music scene
* 1 hr, 3:45 min - How to set up the young musicians we're training to be successful, working artists
* 1 hr, 21:15 min - How philanthropy and civic investment can help boost Sacramento's music scene