Any artist would have been happy to see the people who gathered on the roof of the Canary Hotel on Thursday, October 21, for the Santa Barbara Records launch party. From chart-topping rockers to Hollywood A-listers, the cream of our creative community turned out to hear short sets from four artists — Tina Schlieske, Danny McGaw, Omar Velasco, and Jessie Payo. They were celebrating the release of CaliAmericana, a compilation album featuring eight recording artists with ties to our city, including the four who played the launch party, plus Hannah Siglin, Erland Wanberg, Hana Aluna, and Mendeleyev.
The release of CaliAmericana signals the arrival of Santa Barbara Records, a new independent record label dedicated to leading positive change in the music industry and generating cultural and economic capital for artists in our community. Music industry veteran Billy O’Connell, the general manager of Santa Barbara Records, served as master of ceremonies for the event, which also featured remarks from Tariqh Akoni, a native of Santa Barbara and world-renowned guitarist/music director, who serves as the new label’s Director of Artists and Repertoire.
It’s common knowledge that the music industry has been in turmoil at least since the turn of the 21st century, as traditional approaches to earning money from music have been upended by digital methods of content distribution. With the business systems for developing talent and getting music to the public struggling to cope with changes in technology, artists face shifting challenges and moving targets as they seek to manage their individual careers. It has never been easy to make it as a musician, but in 2021, with so many options and no clear path to success or sustainability, the task can seem overwhelming.