One of my favorite things about Portland Startup Week is the opportunity to showcase amazing events that occur every month — but that folks might not know about. Demolicious is one of those events. So it was nice to hear that a crowd of nearly 100 folks gathered to hear the pitches for a bunch of startups. And when those nearly 100 votes were counted, it was Soundchecked that walked away with the win.
Here’s how Weston Cox recalls his winning experience:
A little over a month ago, a buddy I worked at a cafe with in NE Portland (Kiss Coffee – best breakfast sandwiches in PDX, btw) sent me a DM out of the blue: “Hear me out…Letterboxd but for concerts – why does that not exist?” As soon as I read that – I knew I had to build it.
As someone who moved to Portland from the cornfields of Iowa in 2013 with ambitions of being my generation’s Paul Simon (hasn’t happened…yet) – the feeling of connection, euphoria, and belonging that comes from the collective experience of live music – is something that you just can’t quite put into words, but the closest I’ve ever gotten is **pure magic.**
But, once the show is over that feeling often fades, and you’re just left with the fragmented memories across your camera roll, ticketing emails, and text messages to friends, and no way to connect with others who were there. That’s why I am building Soundchecked. To give a voice to fan’s memories and experiences as the first step to a more direct and equitable live music economy.
Last night @ Demolicious (though nerve-wracking), was nothing short of inspiring.
Yes, I’ll be honest – the win felt amazing.
But to be in a room full of so many people whose eyes lit up when I asked them to remember the night they became a fan of live music – that’s what meant the most.
The fact that even as our world becomes more and more digital and streaming kills the livelihoods of more artists by the day, live music is still a common bond we share – as fans, artists, and the places that hold space for us to connect.
Connection, community, and feeling is what drives me to build Soundchecked.
For more or to connect, follow Weston on LinkedIn.
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