By: Harold Kuntz, III
Syracuse, NY – For many Central New Yorkers, the daily grind of a 9 to 5 job is enough for one day’s work. But for about 150 people around the area, their second job is music. They’re independent music artists, paying the bills through their day job but striving to achieve fame without the help or backing of a major record label.
Syracuse, NY – For many Central New Yorkers, the daily grind of a 9 to 5 job is enough for one day’s work. But for about 150 people around the area, their second job is music. They’re independent music artists, paying the bills through their day job but striving to achieve fame without the help or backing of a major record label.
The independent music artists continue to put their own money to their equipment, record making and sometimes take free appearances to perform at shows at local music venues. Jameel Hammonds, who performs under the name Black Lotus, and his group Piciden Entertainment, takes any show he can get and hopes the shows lead to expanding his music career outside Syracuse.
“It’s like a sacrifice you have to make, getting all the equipment and buying all the records even if sometimes it might seem kind of grim. One day it’s definitely going to pay off, its seeing your passion come to fruition by determination,” said Hammonds.
Bernard Wilfork, another independent music artist who performs under the name Porkcrhop Willie, moved from Florida and enjoys the atmosphere of the Syracuse venues, however small they may be.
“It’s a good time, it’s more about having fun now. If I can please one person with what I’m doing, one note, that’s made my night, that’s success to me,” said Wilfork.
But local album sales and interest has been down recently. The Soundgarden store in Armory Square makes an offer to local music artists to put the albums on the shelves but people aren’t buying.
“It’s like a sacrifice you have to make, getting all the equipment and buying all the records even if sometimes it might seem kind of grim. One day it’s definitely going to pay off, its seeing your passion come to fruition by determination,” said Hammonds.
Bernard Wilfork, another independent music artist who performs under the name Porkcrhop Willie, moved from Florida and enjoys the atmosphere of the Syracuse venues, however small they may be.
“It’s a good time, it’s more about having fun now. If I can please one person with what I’m doing, one note, that’s made my night, that’s success to me,” said Wilfork.
But local album sales and interest has been down recently. The Soundgarden store in Armory Square makes an offer to local music artists to put the albums on the shelves but people aren’t buying.
“I think people take it for granted that there are so many local artists around here. People just take for granted and they don’t go to a show of they don’t buy the album they get it from a friend there’s a huge decline,” said Soundgarden Manager Michael Watson.
Even though sales are down, it does not deter the music artists path toward chasing their dreams. Wilfork, who has performed under bands Earth, Wind, and Fire and Kool and the Gang, says for any independent music artist, you must have breaks to break in the spotlight.
“It’s all about practice. it’s all about who you know. It’s all about getting everything together spiritually if your even thinking about forming a band,” said Wilfork.
Jameel Hammonds and Piciden Entertainment recently performed in the Upper State Independent Tour, a three-city tour. Bernard Wilfork performs with various groups in local music venues around Syracuse.
Even though sales are down, it does not deter the music artists path toward chasing their dreams. Wilfork, who has performed under bands Earth, Wind, and Fire and Kool and the Gang, says for any independent music artist, you must have breaks to break in the spotlight.
“It’s all about practice. it’s all about who you know. It’s all about getting everything together spiritually if your even thinking about forming a band,” said Wilfork.
Jameel Hammonds and Piciden Entertainment recently performed in the Upper State Independent Tour, a three-city tour. Bernard Wilfork performs with various groups in local music venues around Syracuse.
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