Plans were discussed for an upcoming music-focused event in Nashville, including the launch of a new association of music offices and the development. A panel discussion was being prepared that would address the evolution of music in independent venues, the role of municipalities in supporting local music ecosystems, and the broader challenges facing the music industry.
Conversation then covered the intersection of music and urban development, noting past work that combined music, community building, and city planning—such as involvement in nonprofit youth arts spaces, film production, and participation in organizations that support emerging artists through events and grants. The discussion emphasized using music as an engine for community engagement and economic growth.
An economic impact study of Seattle’s music industry was highlighted. That study, conducted in the early 2000s, demonstrated that the local music sector generated economic value on par with the city’s maritime industry. The findings shifted public and political perceptions of the industry and helped catalyze safety, regulatory, and venue-improvement initiatives.
The conversation also explored the revitalization of urban music ecosystems. Stakeholders—including musicians, venue operators, and industry professionals—collaborated to articulate a “music city” vision built around musicianship, live music, and music related businesses. They discussed how cities can strengthen music scenes through education, healthcare support, venue development, and economic strategy. The Nashville context was raised as another strong potential model, particularly in connecting hospitality and music sectors. A key takeaway was that successful music city development depends less on creating large bureaucratic offices and more on designating a focused leader or convener who drives collaboration and action.
James Keblas is currenlly owner of Keblas BizDev.
James Keblas got his start in music as an ’80s skate punk with a full-blown addiction to MTV. What began as an obsession quickly turned into participation, putting on shows in underground spaces and coming up through the Seattle music scene in the ’90s.
Early in his career, he worked at NastyMix Records promoting artists like Sir Mix-A-Lot, hosted shows at the hardcore venue Velvet Elvis Music & Arts Lounge, and immersed himself in the mechanics of music scenes unpacking how they form, who they serve, and what helps them survive. In the mid-1990s, he joined forces with Krist Novoselic of Nirvana to help form JamPAC (Joint Artists & Musicians Political Action Committee), an effort that successfully pushed back against restrictive, anti-youth music policies in Seattle and replaced them with a framework of support.
That work led to the co-founding of The Vera Project in 1999, a youth-driven music and arts center that is still going strong to this day, and has become a national model for all-ages music spaces and creative empowerment, inspiring similar organizations across the country.
James later took his experience into city government, serving as Director of Seattle’s Office of Film and Music within the Office of Economic Development, where he focused on growing jobs, wages, and sustainable businesses in the music and film industries. During that time, he helped launch the Seattle City of Music initiative, which led to the award-winning Sea-Tac Airport music program, as well as the Seattle Nightlife Initiative, helping shift the city’s approach to nightlife from one of friction to one of vibrancy and cultural value.
Since leaving City Hall in 2014, James has worked primarily in commercial film production, but music has remained central to his life. He currently serves on the board of Sonic Guild, a music organization in Seattle and Austin that hosts monthly private shows in unconventional spaces and leverages those experiences to provide direct financial support to musicians. Since 2013, Sonic Guild has distributed over $6 million in grants to artists, including annual unconditional $10,000 awards, touring grants, and producer support.
