Bands demand more airplay

Following amazing band performances at Saturday's Wicky Wacky Live hosted at Wicky Wacky beach, some of Jamaica's bands are demanding more airplay on local radio.

Some of the bands believe the lack of sufficient airplay reduces the capacity to make the Jamaican audience familiar with their music.

According to the music director of roots band Black as Cole, bands are not very marketable both locally and internationally as a result.

The director agreed that reggae music has been getting increased rotation on local radio in recent times, but highlighted that a sea of local bands and their music are left in the shadows of radio land.

"I think the Jamaican band music has put us on the map. It's a shame that the band isn't getting as much airplay as they should. When you have a band developing the music you have more dynamics because you have several persons coming together and merging their talents. We still have talents like Black Uhuru and The Wailers, but we are not being given the necessary light," Craig 'Craole' Cole of the band said.

According to Cole, local bands have consistently released songs in the Jamaican market like regular artistes. However, they don't get played.

"We have a single out for a year now and I believe only one station has played it and that's Styles FM from Portland. The sad thing is we have dropped off CDs at every station and they are just not being played. it's hard to get tours and shows when the music is not being played locally," Cole said.

C-Sharp band member Chevaughn had a slightly different opinion. he believes bands should take a more creative approach to promoting their music. However, he did cite payola as being one of reasons behind the suffocation of band music on local radio.

"I think band music needs more attention from media. But I also think they should find creative means to market themselves and find a niche market. Live music can never die and the amount of persons who turned out to Wicky Wacky Saturday night is a testimony to that. Some DJs feel that they need to play what the people want to hear without being creative and realizing that they are the ones who create that need," he said.

He also used Chronixx as an artiste who was able to use a creative marketing strategy to promote his music.

"Chronixx had a team of youth around him and they were aggressive Chronixx marketers. So they creatively made sure Chronixx was involved. He also did a few dancehall songs which also helped to create a buzz around him to get out there. There is the presence of payola on radio but we have to find creative means," he said.

Keyboardist at Warrior Love and SubKonshus bands Jay Edge, also believes bands should take a proactive approach to promotions.

"Bands should try to spread their music at unconventional places. Why not talk to a promoter who hosts a hardcore dancehall event and get permission to perform. Then you bring your instruments and perform a set? It shouldn't be easier for a solo act to get more promotion than a band of six members. I think some bands need more structure and managers to handle the business aspect," he said.

Opposition spokesperson on culture, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange told The STAR in a recent interview that she wanted to hear more local music on radio. According to Grange, every local station should reserve a slot for exposing Jamaican content.

"I believe in insisting that every station should be playing Jamaican content and when I am in the position, I will follow up on that," she said.