I am faced with the cross roads of moving in several months. I currently am living in Madison,Wi but am thinking of moving to Milwaukee. My main motivation for moving is trying to find a more suitable environment for me to potentially start up a record label. Due to this, being in a location that has a strong population of local bands as well as venues for these bands to play in are important. In addition, sense I am guessing I won't be that financially stable, cheap rent is an important issue. If you guys could provide me with your opinions on this matter it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

With the internet and other easy forms of communication, why does it have to be local bands? I think since you're already settled in Madison, it'd be wiser just to stay there.

I've lived in both places, and I'd chose Milwaukee by a mile! I found Madison to be a rather dull place to live, when you get down to it. The town revolves around state gov't. and UW, and is getting gobbled up and lost in the sprawl and suburbia surrounding it.

Milwaukee has more history and character, more to do, you're closer to Chicago, it has a more competitive housing market, and better food.

I dunno, Madison was nice, but if I had to chose one now, I'd move to Milwaukee without a second thought of it.

Milwaukee has a nice 'n' healthy music community, lots of great shows, great bands, and lots of different options for places to live.

I vote Milwaukee.

Jnelson wrote:...a location that has a strong population of local bands as well as venues for these bands to play in are important.

Then I would be looking somewhere other than Milwaukee or Madison.

That said, I like Milwaukee quite a bit as a place to live and greatly appreciate its proximity to Chicago.

Don't really care for Madison.

Have you considered the Twin Cities? I've also lived in Minneapolis for five years and it beats the shit out of Madison and Milwaukee combined!

geiginni wrote:Have you considered the Twin Cities? I've also lived in Minneapolis for five years and it beats the shit out of Madison and Milwaukee combined!

I would second that. I think the Twin Cities has a far more vibrant rock scene than either of the two musical poles of Wisconsin. I think it is reflected in show turnouts and number of records bought. My label is solidly Wisconsin based, but the place where we sell the most records is Minnesota. The only downside I see to that town is the geography being farther west closer to the vast emptiness of the Dakotas.

One of the upsides to Madison is Mlps, Chicago and Milwaukee are relatively close drives. Other than that I am fairly alienated with the Madison scene as of late and looking to flee. I liked it a lot better when I moved back in ’97 and bands like Pachinko, Powerwagon, Bongzilla, Pound, Wheelie King, Mad Trucker Gone Mad, etc ruled the scene. Now the biggest crowds show up for bland indie rock and other forms of pedestrian rock and roll.

milwaukee or mpls - i like them both quite a bit.

no bands on tour will skip mpls. only a few would skip milwaukee but then you can see them in chicago since they won't skip chicago. many many more bands will skip madison on tour.

mpls has the advantage of it being almost easier to tour the west coast (a day head start from chicago)

i lived in madison from 94-99 - i had a great time going to school but i certainly wouldn't move back now.

stackmatic wrote:

Jnelson wrote:...a location that has a strong population of local bands as well as venues for these bands to play in are important.

Then I would be looking somewhere other than Milwaukee or Madison.

That said, I like Milwaukee quite a bit as a place to live and greatly appreciate its proximity to Chicago.

Don't really care for Madison.

Stay gold, Pigeon Boy.

I lived in Milwaukee for 1 year when I was a kid and I hated it. I really hated it.
Madison is ok for what it is, a suburb.

Just move to Chicago, man. What's stopping you?