Caroline, from Bands of DFW, Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Someone a little different again today. Caroline is the founder of the fantastic Instagram account, Bands of DFW. Her goal is to feature and promote bands performing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the account, her goals, and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Caroline visits Section 36 Music!

What made you decide to start your account, “Bands of DFW”?

When I created Bands of DFW, it came from a mix of passions: people, connection, communication, and of course, music. Honestly, everyone should thank two sources of inspiration: my mom and my friends’ bands.

For months, my mom kept suggesting I start some kind of branded Instagram account, maybe one that featured “product testing” or “space showcasing” in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. I brushed her off repeatedly, insisting I was “too busy” or “unable.” But then one night at a show, the lightbulb moment happened.

I had been following my friends’ bands for months. I knew how talented they were, yet their social media numbers didn’t reflect what I was experiencing live. In that moment, it clicked: musicians deserve more exposure in an increasingly competitive market. With everything they already do behind the scenes, social media often falls to the backburner, and I knew I could help fill that gap.

I also knew two things for sure: I love people and I love music. I realized I could create something that gives artists a chance to showcase their work to a wider audience. As a graduate student studying communication and media, this project aligned perfectly with both my personal passions and academic interests.

Music has always been a source of connection for me, and I believe it always will be. Dallas- Fort Worth isn’t just where I live, it is an up-and-coming hub for inspired creatives. With all of that in mind, Bands of DFW was born one day in a coffee shop in Arlington, Texas. I haven’t looked back since.

What is your favorite part about running the account?

This is going to be my favorite question to answer because it is the easiest. I love the connections that I make daily to not only musicians in the area but also owners of bars, music complex owners, studios, writers, editors, podcasters, and other social media gurus like me.

Again, I love people, and I love hearing everyone’s stories. Social media, while sometimes detrimental, is such a fantastic place for connection. I am getting to meet people day after day

who are different from me in so many fantastic ways. There are so many friends I could cite here and so many creatives who I am often inspired by. I am just grateful that I share the space with so many people who are passionate about making DFW a space where music can be heard.

How do you find bands to feature?

I find bands in a variety of ways. In the beginning stages it was who was playing at shows that I was already attending, and now it has slowly transitioned to who reaches out or what I see online. I am usually looking online for when people post and checking my direct messages like a crazy person. It really appreciate when musicians send me flyers for their shows or tag me in their posts.

What do you enjoy most about attending shows?

My account primarily focuses on the live aspect and there is a reason for that. I love live music. When the energy is just right at a live show, the whole room changes, the energy changes, and I think you often leave changed. Bands can be who they want to be on a stage, with little to no judgement when they’re live, and I love the authenticity that comes with being at a live show.

What would you say are your biggest challenges running Bands of DFW?

I am a one woman show, and I keep busy. I am a teacher’s assistant, a graduate student, a media coordinator at a non-profit organization, an on and off freelance worker, an occasional volleyball coach when I have the time, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and I run my own brand.

This is all fantastic and I love to be busy because my passions lie in multiple areas, but often I think that I can be unavailable to be at shows due to other commitments.

As much as I want to make everyone happy, I also sometimes need flexibility to not make it to a show and have someone record a video of the bands that I am unable to get. For the bands out there, this is your sign to have a designated friend who records at least one song you do live, because not only is this good for me, but it is even better for you. I will give a little tip, people on social media love to see what I like to call “tangible results.” If you are in a band, they want to know what you sound like and if you never have someone recording you, you never have the chance to show others your art. Do not let hard work go to waste in that way.

Do you have any immediate account goals?

I have a lot of projects and a good amount of collaboration opportunities coming up soon, but I will not disclose any of that information just yet. Mainly, I just want to see the account continue to grow, because I want to watch the musicians I help, succeed. Right now, I am happy with where the account is at. I tell people all the time, this was a risk that I was willing to take, and if in the end it fails, I will have done everything I could to keep it up and running. I am super proud of it right now and I think this will be something that I will be proud of for the rest of my life.

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How wonderful!

As always, I want to thank Caroline for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview. 

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow along and see what is going on in DFW. I would follow Bands of DFW on Instagram and Everywhere else you can find it to make sure you don't miss a thing. And, if you're a band/musician in the D-FW area, be sure to reach out and let her know you saw her on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again, Caroline! Good luck reaching your goals!