by Sally Deskins | Les Femmes Folles
Darcy Covert is cofounder of Club No Quiet, a not-for-profit record label that seeks to combat sexism in the music community, and in society at large, through promotion, education, and mentorship. (Love!!) Sweatshop Gallery is hosting a launch party Feb. 1; “I wanna sing a song. I have a song I wanna sing. A Night with CLUB NO QUIET” (details below) with live music, karaoke and art. Covert shares with LFF about going to Battles of the Bands growing up, wise words from her mother, humanism and more:
Tell me about your background/how did you get into music?
My name is Darcy Covert and I am 25 year old Nebraska native. My involvement with the music scene in Omaha began around age 12 when I discovered the “local stage” at Sweetstock, a terrible music festival hosted by the long gone radio station Sweet 98. Despite the lack of “good bands” I became intrigued by the idea that bands were accessible at the local level. After that I started to seek out more local shows. Much to the dismay of my liberal, atheist parents, I found myself at a lot of Battles of the Bands hosted by churches (this was due to a lack of all ages venues since the infamous Cog Factory had been closed down within the year my interest was sparked). In high school all my friends were in bands, I even dabbled in playing shows in a strange shoe-gazery band called Bellaluna. I have continuously attended local shows since and hope to do so for as long as I am attached to the physical world.
Tell me about your inspirations.
Creatively speaking I have always allowed myself to be hindered by myself. Severe self doubt and low self esteem can either be the fuel or the water on the fire of the creative process. That being said, this last year I saw massive personal growth and have decided to believe in myself and my own creative processes. I believe I turned over a new leaf when my mother said to me “Darcy, you have to start building yourself a life. Figure out the life you want and the person you want to be and make it/become it.” So after some thought I recognized I want to be an enlightened, proactive human who is multilingual and working for the community within the art world. Thanks mom.
What’s your involvement with Club No Quiet and why is it important to you?
I jumped on the CLUB NO QUIET boat when my longtime friend (one of those people I met at the church shows) Rachel Tomlinson Dick explained her dream of a female oriented, nonprofit record label with a mentor ship program attached. As a long time member of the local music scene I can not deny the lack of female inclusion and saw an opportunity to do something new for a community I am biologically (to say the least) connected to.
Does feminism play a role in your work?
I am part feminist but mostly I identify with the term humanist. It makes sense for me to work with a community with which I so physically identify with. I believe in equality for all and stand by the battles of any disenfranchised community but it makes the most sense for me to begin my fight with the community I am a part of.
The CLUB NO QUIET release show is February 1 at 8pm at the Sweatshop Gallery (2727 N. 62nd St.) for Benson First Friday. Our event includes music by local artists Howard, George Glass, Rock Paper Sisters, Sister Kisser, and The Wayward Little Satan Daughters. We are also having a Loud Art Auction and Punk Karaoke after the bands. All proceeds will go to the production and release of our first mix tape. More information will be available on the CNQ Facebook page. Soon we will be looking to fill board member positions as we move through the process of becoming a 501c3 nonprofit.
Stay posted here!