Boston Hassle is a website that highlights underground and
experimental music
Experimental music is a general label for any music or music genre that pushes existing boundaries and genre definitions. Experimental compositional practice is defined broadly by exploratory sensibilities radically opposed to, and questioning of, ...
and arts in the greater
Boston
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...
area. Its goal is to showcase underrepresented genres and artists.
Boston Hassle is a volunteer non-profit organization.
History
Created initially by Dan Shea as Bodies of Water Arts and Crafts, the organization began by releasing and booking music. Shea started the
Hassle Fest in 2009. In 2011, he started the Boston Hassle website.
In 2014, Shea started the Hassle Flea with Caitlin Kenney.
In 2018, Boston Hassle took over an art space called
Dorchester Art Project, in
Dorchester Massachusetts.
However, in 2019 the organization left Dorchester after splitting from the
Brain Arts Organization.
Activities
The Boston Hassle website reviews music, art, and film. It also includes an "Culture" section featuring varying forms of local journalism, and an events calendar.
Shows hosted by Boston Hassle range from noise and
punk
Punk or punks may refer to:
Genres, subculture, and related aspects
* Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres
* Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...
to
experimental hip-hop
Alternative hip hop (also known as alternative rap) is a subgenre of hip hop music that encompasses a wide range of styles that are not typically identified as mainstream. AllMusic defines it as comprising " hip hop groups that refuse to confor ...
and rap, along with visual art and poetry. The Dig
describes Boston Hassle as fostering, "an innovative, compelling, and interconnected experience through grassroots and inclusive participatory culture".
Boston Hassle sponsors two large events: Hassle Fest and Boston Hassle Flea (fka The Black Market Market). Hassle Fest is a two to three day music and art festival.
Hosted in a different location each year, Hassle Fest hosts musicians from all genres and varying visual artists.
The event all-ages as most Hassle events are.
Hassle Flea is a bimonthly event in which local businesses, artists and a large selection of crafts sell their work.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Official website
Culture of Boston