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National news outlets are apparently fascinated by the paradox of a city that’s long on artistic credit but short on capital.

NPR ran a story on Detroit’s music scene, reviewing the city’s long history of groundbreaking artists and contrasting that history with today’s blighted conditions. The story includes an interview with members of the Detroit Cobras. Favorite quote: lead singer Rachel Nagy explains, “That [bad economic] environment is also a reason why this kind of music thrives — because we can do whatever we want; we can play as loud as we want.”
The article’s headline poses the question: “Why Can’t Detroit Cash In On Its Music Scene?” We’ll see you that question and raise you one, NPR: Should it?

Also last week, the Wall Street Journal ran a feature on artist communities in Cleveland – enclaves subsidized by nonprofit developers and city policies. City planners see these communities as the foundation for rebuilding healthy neighborhoods. Musicians, painters and sculptors make the community attractive, and the city folk move back. It is a long-term strategy for regrowth, and we hope artists in Cleveland reap long-term rewards.

The NY Times ran a feature today on Detroit’s music clubs and their importance to the rise of artists like the White Stripes, Kid Rock and Eminem. From the article:
“The clubs where they and other Detroit acts got their starts are still very much a part of the city, developing performers who could join the ranks of other famous Detroit artists. Even though the city, and its auto industry, have been hit by hard times that threaten some venerable places, live music endures in the Motor City.”
Alas, the author does not name any current performers, but she does cover the Magic Stick, the Ark in Ann Arbor, and other metro Detroit venues.
Read the full article here.