Goodbye From Reno’s Music Blog: Funk Punk Lives

Photo by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash.

I think there comes a time for every project, when you have to decide whether or not it’s time to walk away and turn a new page. For me, I am sad to announce that I believe that time has come for this Reno music blog: Funk Punk Lives.

Over the past four years, it’s been a heck of a ride. I’ve met so many amazing people — bands, musicians, artists — and I’ve even made a few new friends. I am so grateful for the time I’ve been able to spend around our local music scene, and for the time that’s been given to me from those I’ve interviewed. And for you, for all the time you’ve taken to read these, even if it was just one blog.

This was my passion for four years. I started this idea out of quarantine shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, because I desperately wanted to remain connected to the Reno music community. It’s what kept me going in hard times. It helped me stay grounded and centered. It gave me a sense of identity for so long. Funk Punk Lives wasn’t just a concept — it’s who I was.

Over the past few months, I’ve started to come to the realization though, that this project is becoming harder and harder to sustain like I once did. Bands, musicians and organizations are not as responsive as they once were. Shows are being put on at the same venues over and over, and during time frames where I can’t attend most of the time. My readership has never been astronomical, but I’ve definitely noticed that people just… don’t read this. Sure, it gets shared amongst friends, family and loved ones, but that’s where it stops. I don’t feel like I’m making a difference like I once did in the middle of the pandemic. I guess you could say I’ve lost sight of this blog’s purpose.

And certainly, that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for the readers I have landed, and for the awesome experiences I’ve had because of this blog. There have been times I’ve been out and about, and random people I’ve met have told me they found such-and-such place or event because of stumbling across one of my articles. That felt good, for sure. But now, I just don’t think I’m having the same impact, and like every successful project, sometimes you gotta know when to throw in the towel.

This doesn’t mean I’m going to shut this site down. I want these blogs to remain, to stay live and active, so people can still find out about this beautiful, wonderful Reno live music scene I’ve always loved so much. So this site will stay up as an archive for all of you to enjoy.

And perhaps, maybe I’ll change this into something new down the road. My creative interests are shifting, and I have had the thought that I should transform this into something else.

For now though, this is goodbye for Funk Punk Lives. It’s been a great journey.

Thank you for coming along for the ride. This won’t be the last you see from me, but I can sleep soundly knowing I had such a good run.

My one plea for anyone reading this — please keep going to concerts. Please keep supporting small, local music. It’s still everything to me, and you’ll still be able to catch me at some dive bar, sitting in a cozy corner, enjoying tunes up close and personal. That will never change. But my ongoing message still rings true: your local bands, musicians and artists need you.

Please keep on jammin’.

Until the next endeavor!