Austin Music Love (AML)
I’ve lived in Austin for about 7 years now, and before that I lived in the DFW area. Ever since I moved here, I have never felt more at home. As a queer, hispanic woman with a love of the arts, Austin TX has brought me more than I could ever ask for. It’s a city of opportunity, love, friendship, and community, what more could you need?
Oh that's right. Music!
Austin’s love and extensive history of our music scene has coined us the name, The Live Music Capital of the World. But it’s not just the title that makes us what we are. It’s the people.
I want to introduce you to the online community Austin Music Love, and the person behind it, John Filippone. Follow his account @austinmusiclove on Instagram.
“I am a musician myself, and I have always written songs since I was a kid for fun.” John adds, "In early 2022 I wanted to get more serious about it, so to motivate myself, I started a Meetup.com group for songwriters and I put on events that I called "Songwriter Circles" where a group of songwriters get together in person and play songs for each other and give each other feedback. After several of these I got the idea to do a house concert at my house. It was a big hit but I learned that promoting an event is no joke and it really would help to have a brand behind it so that over time people would get to know the brand and tell people about it and I would not have to do so much promotion every single time. So I created a logo and used the name Austin Music Love.”
Photo Taken by Rogelio Adame.
John started AML in 2022, paving the way for what was to come. AML is a beloved hobby for Filippone, but I'd say this is more than just a hobby, this is a community service. AML provides free promotion for local bands & artists via their Instagram, which currently has over 10k followers, and through their newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: AML Newsletter
- By subscribing to AML’s Newsletter, you’ll have access to new music releases from over 1,400 local artists. AML will also personalize it for you by asking for your genre preferences, so you’ll only get info on music you're interested in.
They also have 2 public playlists - One is the most popular tracks by local artists and the other is the newest music by local artists in order of release date. Click the embedded links to listen!
AML often hosts free house concerts, the bread and butter for AML, as Filipone puts it. Each concert hosts 2 artists, both doing a 45 minute set. Artists get paid in tips, usually totalling to around $150 each, as well as any money they make promoting their Venmo, Cashapp, etc. With a typical turnout of about 60-80 people per event, it’s surprising to say that AML doesn’t collect any money made from these shows.
“I have been blessed with lots of great sponsors and have been able to offer free drinks at every event and sometimes free food. Some of the sponsors have included Topo Chico, Dulce Vida Tequila, Ranch Rider Spirits, Cater Station, and Field Trip (sparkling vodka). I don't make money on these. They are a community service. I set up, run sound, organize, and promote. Patrons donate the use of their house/backyard. The artists make money. People have fun.”
Cruise Austin Music Love’s website, https://austinmusiclove.com/where you can find local live music events in Austin, check out locally curated playlists, and
so much more.
Are you a local artist and want to be featured on AML’s Newsletter, Instagram, AND Playlists?
Register here.
