Quality Over Hype: Keeping DIY Music Real (feat. ELLE 2.0) | Local Music Shapes Culture

This week on Local Music Shapes Culture, I sit down with JS from Elle 2.0 Collective—a micro-label founder, show documenter, and organizer of Winterfest in Indianapolis. JS opens up about finding their place in the local punk scene and the journey from outsider to community builder.Starting with early experiences in the Indianapolis hardcore scene, JS shares how he went from feeling disconnected at shows to creating Elle 2.0, a micro-label born from the desire to simply put music out that deserves to be heard. The conversation explores how documenting local shows through video became both a creative outlet and a way to help others discover their local scene. We dig into the evolution of DIY venues in Indianapolis, from temporary spaces that didn’t last to to the staple venues around today.From venue sustainability to the pushback against streaming culture, we look at the evolving landscape of local music scenes. JS offers insights on resisting the urge to make things bigger just because you can, the importance of doing things simply because they feel right, and why some of the best moments in DIY happen in rooms that are 50 people under capacity rather than oversold.What was your gateway band into punk or hardcore music? Speak 🗣️ in the commentsJump to the highlights:0:00 - Intro & Background2:07 - Gateway to Punk Music15:51 - Elle 2.0 Micro-Label Origins23:17 - Origins of Winterfest27:10 - Quality Over Quantity in DIY33:03 - Impact on City Culture36:01 - Breaking Mental Blocks39:07 - Manifesting in DIY Music42:34 - Shoutouts & ClosingThe conversation touches on building sustainable DIY spaces, the power of belief in grassroots projects, and creating authentic music communities in an age of algorithms. How has your local music scene changed your perspective on community building? Share 🗣️, comment!Keep up with Elle 2.0 on Instagram: @elle2.0collectiveWatch more Local Music Shapes Culture: YouTube | SubstackListen now on Spotify | Apple MusicFollow me on Instagram | TikTok Local Music Shapes Culture is a reader-supported publication celebrates life in local music scenes, insights and resources on building community, and rock. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support this work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com