As Raleigh grows up and out, and as it’s population increases (expecting to top 400K within the next couple of years) some see the “city of old habits” as lacking in cultural offerings afforded in other cities of comparable size. Raleigh’s rock/indie rock scene has long been lauded for it’s richness of talent, and for the national success of bands from that scene. On the other hand, largely overlooked by the local press and citizens alike is the richness of talent within other genres of music. Within the city limits of Raleigh alone exist a wealth of musicians, producers, and DJs that span everything between jazz and hip-hop; bhangra and bluegrass; or salsa and reggae. Unfortunately the artistic diversity of this city does not receive the attention it’s reservoir of talent deserves.
The latest attempt to address this shortcoming is the Mosaic Spring Music Festival. The brainchild of Mosaic owner, Samad Hachby, and local DJs Keith Ward and Steven Feinberg. This first of it’s kind festival holds the promise of bringing a more metropolitan vibe to the city. Inspired by a recent Mosaic party at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, Hachby and crew concocted a plan to duplicate their success in Miami right here in the Capitol City. “I thought that this city just needed for some one to stick their neck out and try this. Then other clubs will note it’s success, and be more willing to try new things, ” says Hachby.
The efforts of Hachby, Ward, and Feinberg are grounded in the belief that as the demorgraphic in the Triangle has evolved, and that as more folks relocate from big cities to Raleigh, and from the suburbs to downtown a more cosmopolitan perspective is necessary to account for this new diversity. “Raleigh is not the sleepy little hamlet it was when I moved here 10 years ago”, says Ward. “It’s has a large population of PhD’s and advanced degree professionals, and these people are into more than just rock and roll and hip-hop”.
Inspired in part by the success of Signal, an electronic music festival in Chapel Hill now in it’s fourth year, the MSMF is focused on more than just one genre of music. The list of artists this year include Carnavalito - a live salsa/latin band, local hip-hop aficionados Merlin, Mooney, and Son of Sam from FM Goods, and well as African percussionists, Brazilian dancers, and DJs from France, Italy, Miami, Chicago, New York. Over a period of 11 days Hachby and friends will attempt to demonstrate that there is a viable undergound in this city, and one can find buried treasure in downtown Raleigh.
Mosaic Spring Music Festival 2009
May 28 - June 7 @ Mosaic Wine Lounge
517 W. Jones Street / Raleigh, NC
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