Welcome to our new feature, the local profile! Every Wednesday, we’re going to be interviewing people who are involved in the St. Louis music community; not necessarily in bands, but those who are interested in seeing St. Louis become a better place for musicians.
Today, I interviewed Tawaine Noah, Barista at Foam Coffee & Beer and lead singer/songwriter in local band Union Tree Review.
How have you been involved in the St. Louis music community in the past?
I started like a lot of the folks around my age at the time: You’re in high school, and you start going to local shows. If you’re like me, you get really inspired to be that guy or band up on stage. So, long story short, a couple of my friends and I put together a small acoustic band, and luckily it’s not really all that hard to get booked in St. Louis. Eventually, we put together an album and started playing out.
How do you feel about the music community right now?
I think that it’s a strange thing right now, as far as all musicians involved go. Over the past few years a lot of bands have disbanded or given up. On the other hand, a lot of bands that have been together for 5-10 years are still going strong and they’re still local and trying. A lot of the problem I think is the lack of local support from the fans—a lack of zeal and drive to push these great bands.
What are you doing to make the music community a better place in the future?
I am trying my best to get out to shows and support bands that I really believe in, and trying to get other folks in the community excited about what is going.
Who are some people in St. Louis you think are good examples for the rest of the community?
A lot of the movers and shakers around here (like Angelo Olegna and Mike Glodeck) are always making moves toward making the community what they know it can be. Then, there are the Evan Sults, as well as a lot of the live music venue owners that give a lot of the local bands decent opportunities to get a proper show (and a sound check) all helps so much.
What are you excited about in the future of St. Louis’s music culture?
I think with things like Eleven Magazine (for sure), Sleepy Kitty Arts, and more substantial local acts coming out and making a difference on not only the scene but the culture as well. There are some really great things in store for the St. Louis music culture, and with more support and belief from the community we will have a really big deal on our hands.
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