For years, Shawn Brewster has been on a mission to raise the profile of Cleveland musicians, their music and their shows, by building playlists and through his online community the Beard and the Brew.
“It was based upon the idea that people didn't know about shows that were coming to town,” says Brewster, who is also a musician in folk-rock band Oldboy and the acoustic duo Shawn and Shelby. “I would be the opener and be like, This band is amazing and nobody knows about them!”
But with all the extra time at home recently, Brewster decided to expand his efforts — and tap into the livestream craze sweeping social media — by launching a daily live podcast dedicated to Cleveland’s best local bands and the region’s unsigned artists. Launched in late-March, the shows airs each weekday on Facebook Live from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
Already, Brewster’s show has highlighted local artists such as Apostle Jones, Jul Big Green, Matt Moody and Hannah Stak, and Niights. Before or after each song, the host shares some background of the band or how the song came together. Or, he shares some personal details or anecdotes about bands or artists he’s friends with.
“I realized pretty quickly that people need to connect, and as a musician I wasn’t quite feeling that I should be putting out live music because I felt like there were other musicians that need that space right now because multiple gigs a week was their main job,” says Brewster, who has also lost income by show cancellations (that means tip if you can). “And it just drives me crazy that it’s so difficult to get these amazing band’s songs in front of people.”
Brewster cites WJCU 88.7 FM and Ben Gage, an Akron artist who has hosted livestream house shows. And a similar high production level to these shows — you know, that NPR feel — sets Brewster apart from your average livestream, even if it is streaming from Brewster’s living room.
While Brewster’s musical proclivities lean softer, acoustic rock, he dedicates a few hours each night before the show to building a diverse lineup of genres, keeping in mind that the show does air first thing in the morning. After each session, the songs appear on a Spotify playlist that grows throughout the week. Each Sunday, Brewster refreshes the playlists, much like the “new music” playlists on Spotify.
But the host’s favorite part of the show, as well as many listeners favorite moments, come from the unscripted, unplanned live interactions between Brewster and listeners, which have grown to more than 600 per show.
“One friend missed the show, and I told him he could rewatch it, and he said, ‘I like being there live, I like typing,’” says Brewster. “I’m not going to try to ignore [the coronavirus], or be goofy or act like it’s not happening. But I hope I can give people something to look at on their phones and connect to and have an interaction with someone, whether it’s me or their favorite band.” More info: facebook.com/thebeardandthebrew
Beard And The Brew's Live Podcast Amplifies Local Artists
Shawn Brewster has expanded his online community and playlist into a live radio show on Facebook.
music
12:00 PM EST
April 13, 2020