Prepare for the Underground Music Showcase 2024 A Q&A with Festival Co-Manager Jami Duffy

For such a long time, the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) is thought to be one of the most favorite ones in Denver. It gets the best of Denver, the people shining in their cuirasse like their individuality coupled with more than 150 of the best musicians working within the city and beyond providing the music for the weekend. Thus, UMS is not just a music festival, but it became something much more than that. It is a cultural splendid bonus of everything that makes this city such a beauty to live in. It also functions as a commercial center for the nonprofit industry especially the youth on record which is an organization that aims at fostering music learning among youths. 
 
Before the completely rad Underground Music Showcase, 303 Magazine sat down with Jami Duffy, the executive director of Youth on Record and co-manager of UMS to discuss what UMS has become and grown to, the option to showcase young artists, the current year’s lineup and more this year. 
 
Jami Duffy: This has remained close to my heart because of my desire to integrate music education in the life experiences of the students. The original idea was to come up with a daring and innovative campaign that will give focus on young creators as individuals who are valued in our musical environment. Therefore, it was agreed that buying the ownership of the fest was the most effective way to establish the platform of young voices, improve the mission of the fest and make sure that the fest is motivated by mission. Initially, while approaching Casey Berry, the owner of Two Parts, with idea of purchasing UMS, it was a proposal of escalation of the relationship. YOR had always been present — volunteers handing out beers at the main stage, artists on stage — but the potential for more — inspired me. It was on 22nd March 2022, when Casey and I, closed the agreement for investment that made Both YOR and Two Parts partners with the UMS for the shared mission of designing models of festivals that embed the theory of positive change. 
 
By 2018, UMS is provided by the local non-profit Youth on Record company in cooperation with the “experiential and creative agency” Two Parts. Hi SA, Could you explain me something about the history of this partnership and the reasons of it’s success for years? 
 
Jami Duffy: The motivation that led to the partnership between Youth on Record and Two Parts was into the formation of the significance of the festival that does not revolve around music alone. Our aim was to allow for the creation of something that could foster a more extensive social change and help further the up-and-coming artists. Two Parts contributed their experience in production and marketing of events, and Youth on Record – the organization’s strong values of music education and its audience. This has been the magic that has worked for us. Thanks to this synergy we manage active improvements and new realizations such as a higher artist’s fee, mental health support, and diversity in programming. Of course everyone wants to take the music and the party mood to the community resource festivals but, we wanted to take the resources to the biggest party in Denver. We can reach more people that way, this by use of social media, will enable us get to more people. 
 
After its launch in 2001 the Underground Music Showcase has become one of the largest, favorite and simply coolest annual events in Denver. In what manner has the festival changed with time? 
 
Jami Duffy: When the UMS was founded in 2001, it only showcased local music acts and became the largest and the longest festival of the music type in Colorado. Indeed, we have grown much in the years that haveelapsed, and have introduced new and novel stages ,over 700 artists in our roster, new features such as the Artist Care Lounge and sober bars among them. In our pursuit of progressive enhancement every year, it is crucial that the UMS has become not just a festival, but a movement that first and foremost, represents concern for people’s well-being and society’s benefit. Denver needs to step up and say we are the music and cultural hub of the American West. The UMS is still moving the factor forward in Colorado’s platform. 
 
The artist list for this year, as it always is, is filled with local and state artists, rookies and veterans. How is the line up decided? You are viewing:concerts That are coming up this year Are there artists that you look forward to viewing this year? 
 
Jami Duffy: The selection of the lineup for the UMS is done strategically and involves a pluralistic decision-making process. This means we should have the best local artists and also Invite artists from other regions, thus having both Call up artists and Emergent artists. In regard to selecting artists, we are in constant communication with our community and representatives of the music industry to find artists with good sounding music and in touch with the task of creating music for everyone. Everything starts with discovery music and we have to invest on that – as a city, as a state, as a nation. Some of the bands that are dear to me this year consist of Dog Tags, Genevieve Libien, and Conrad Mata. All of these artists have remarkable personal history and personal connection to Youth on Record which makes their shows at UMS very significant. I am also glad other powerful artists such as Beasts of No Nation, Kayla Marque, Los Mocochetes, Nina De Freitas, The Trujillo Company and Wheelchair Sports Camp. The variety of their tones and the presence of influential statements will, without a doubt, be interesting for the listeners. 
 
In your opinion, why is it necessary to give such a marvellous chance and share a platform with other new artists? 
 
Jami Duffy: Newer artists must be allowed a chance to showcase their talents because very often they are shut out from all the opportunities they need to effect change and succeed. The UMS is usually a stepping stone for the musicians that sets them up as the audience for new fans, colleagues, promoters as well as competitors. Thus, by supporting these artists, we are contributing to the creation of a diverse and lively music scene. Also, new artists introduce new ideas into their work, so they create new styles, which make the music world more diverse. 
 
Last of all, do you have any suggestions for the first time festival goer? Do even long-term attendees need to know anything? 
 
Jami Duffy: To the new comers I would recommend, that they should come with less expectations but a spirit of exploring. The UMS is focused on discovery, so do not hesitate to go to various acts and types of performances. People should not always stick with what they know or have done before and try out a new thing. To the longest attending festival goers, I must state that go on supporting the artists and the main idea of the festival. You are always very enthusiastic and engaged and that is why your event, UMS, is so unique. And for every single one of you, drink water, love one another, and enjoy life as much as you possibly can!