Today we’d like to introduce you to Evie McNeil.
Evie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I first moved to Austin in 2017 to attend UT Austin, I was welcomed and immediately found my home within the music community in the city. Music has been an integral part of my life since I can remember. I’ve found great comfort surrounding myself with fellow musicians and my experience moving to Austin was no different.
Throughout my time attending UT, I involved myself in a variety of different music organizations and opportunities. On campus, I was involved with TSTV’s music program, Local Live, which airs on KVRX 91.7 and the TSTV channel. I was also involved in UTalent Records, a student-run record label, which is where I met the majority of my musician friends on campus including the guy who I ended up joining a band with.
In my later years in college, I began to perform live again, both independently and with the band that I joined. I found this to be an incredibly expressive and creative outlet for me.
Off of campus, I also held a few internships directly involved in the Austin music industry scene. I had the honor to work alongside the brilliant minds that represent the Texas Music Office at the Texas Capitol, Gold Rush Vinyl, KOOP Radio, and Triple8Management.
My senior year of college, I really started to think about what my next step was going to be. If that was going to be working in the music industry, if so, what part, or not at all.
For my senior research project, I dove headfirst into the world of music licensing and what that means for modern-day artists in a society that consumes most of their music via streaming. Learning about the economical struggles and injustices that come with the streaming ecosystem only softened my heart for those who pursue music full-time.
Fast forward a few months (August 2021), and I’m recently graduated and at my first post-grad job working at a digital marketing agency. It was a detour from where I thought I would’ve been in months prior but this is the job I have been at for nearly a year to date and I really enjoy it. However, my hunger to flex my creative skills still remained. Thus, the creation of my music blog and community, LiveFromTheAudience, in December of 2021.
This idea was one that came incredibly naturally to me. My absolute favorite pastime is to go watch live music shows. Not necessarily big headline concerts either…but shows from local or upcoming artists that are either blooming into their artistry or finding their way of figuring it out. The idea came so naturally to me because I was already going out to shows, snapping a few pictures and videos, and raving about those artists to my friends the next day. It just made sense for me to create an online space to share Austin’s finest local talent. Because of this Instagram page, I have been introduced to show many new local artists, venues, and even upcoming artist’s outside of the city limits.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I haven’t allowed this ‘passion project’ of mine to stress me out or feel like a job. That is the last thing I want something I love to turn into. The road has been smooth, but not always consistent. Being active in the digital space, one of the challenges I face is digital fatigue. Along with my online music community and blog, I have my personal social media accounts as well as my professional job that is solely digitally oriented. Being on the screen for 12+ hours a day can take a lot away from what’s going on around you. The beauty of live music is to be involved in the moment. Additionally, every day it seems the social media algorithms change. That’s another learning curve I’ve found to affect my everyday engagement.
We’ve been impressed with LiveFromTheAudience, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Part of my business that makes me the proudest is that I’m able to create a space of discovery and conversation between artists, businesses, musicians, and listeners. The platform I have curated is solely for the benefit of the artist or venue. That was my one true vision when creating this account.
One of the mantras that I include every time I share a post is the hashtag, #KeepLiveMusicAlive. This hashtag has more meaning than just a tagline within each caption. Amidst the peak of COVID, the livelihood of the musicians and creatives at large was in question. As we remember, many iconic Austin venues and establishments lost their business due to the unforgiving repercussions of the lockdown. Along with dying businesses, an artist’s main source of income, live shows and touring, was squandered. This left some musicians to put down their instruments and leave a passion they loved.
Coming out of this pandemic, we have evolved even more into a digitally reliant society. I figured that I could take some of the digital skills and tools I have learned in my 9-5 job and invest it in an online music community in an effort to encourage people to go back to live music shows (at their own comfort levels) and support the local community.
Austin has such a unique, eclectic, genuine, and accepting music community. It’s something I don’t want to see slowly fade away as the city evolves. I have a real passion for this and I hope I can continue to inspire people to support and uplift creative communities that bring us joy and relief in such a tense world.
Looking into the future, I also want to expand to showcasing different creative art forms and businesses. I strategically wanted to create a business name that would be general enough that it could grow and adapt as time goes on.
How do you think about luck?
I’d say the only luck I’ve faced in this position is the opportunity to meet magical people and experience magical moments. Being out at a show, I’ve met all kinds of people. Photographers, old friends, new fans, fellow musicians, long-time Austin natives, etc.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @livefromtheaudience
Image Credits
Elizabeth Garabedian, Peter Kishler, Evie McNeil
