The Tallahassee Music Map
Music often exists at “the heart of our most profound social occasions and experiences” (Turino, "Music as Social Life," 2008). It is a tradition passed down from generation to generation. We learn the stories of our ancestors through their songs and musical traditions. But, as an inherently oral and aural phenomenon, musical stories and histories are sometimes lost.
*The Tallahassee Music Map seeks to embrace the city’s unique musical identities while celebrating musical communities and traditions around Tallahassee, Florida. Some of these traditions have originated from Tallahassee while others were brought here by people who have called Tallahassee home. Like communities across the United States, Tallahassee communities are brought together by many traditions like fashion, food, and music. It allows communities to express the complete range of human emotions and experiences.
As a community, we dance to tunes about joy and belt ballads about sorrow. Through music, we celebrate love, family, and unity while also supporting each other in times of grief, death, and hardship. Our music also holds the memories of those lost. We each have a unique musical fingerprint crafted through generations of musicians.
In our own individual lives, music accompanies us as we grow up and navigate the world. We have teenage anthems and family tunes mixed with regional sounds and preferred genres. Through an exploration of time, space, and place, take a virtual tour of some of the vibrant musical communities of Tallahassee.
For a brief overview of local Tallahassee music, musicians, and venues watch this short documentary titled The Spirit of Folk created by former FSU students Caitlin Peterson, Houston Brannon, Jing Huang & Mitchell Clark.
*This website will never be exhaustive, as music and musical communities are constantly shifting and evolving.