April 17, 2008
When Colleen asked me to guest blog for her this week, I was really surprised. You won’t find my name on any bookshelves, and my personal blog has been collecting dust for quite a while. However, books—the Harry Potter series to be specific–currently rule my life.
My name is Stephanie Anderson and I play in a Wizard Rock band. Tonks & the Aurors has been going strong for 8 months now, and it’s been the greatest experience of my life.
I’ll be honest, I’ve written this blog like…. 3 times, and there’s so much I could cover, so instead of making this a blog of EPIC proportions, I’ll do this the easiest way I know how.
Here’s a countdown of things you should know about Wizard Rock and/or things I’m asked most often.
1. The History If you want a way more thorough history, check out www.wizrocklopedia.com, but the first Wizard Rock band, Harry and the Potters, was created in 2002 by two brothers in Massachusetts. In 2006 the genre exploded, and since the release of Deathly Hallows in 2007, the genre grew from 150 to 450 bands.
2. Literacy
Wizard Rockers aren’t making music to make millions of dollars or get signed to a major label. Our number one goal is to keep kids reading and encourage literacy. We play in libraries and bookstores and spout off slogans like “Fight Evil! Read Books!”
3. There’s an Audience for This Stuff?
Yes! And they’re incredible! Harry Potter fans are crazy dedicated, and with fan fiction, discussion forums, fan art, and conferences already being embraced, Wizard Rock was screaming to be done. There’s nothing cooler than performing for a sea of people in house colors, or spending time after shows discussing what house you’re in or your theory on Horcruxes.
4. Do-It-Yourself
Every Wizard Rock band is DIY. There are no big budgets from record companies or fancy recording studios. What makes Wizard Rock such a brilliant movement is that as a musician I’m not stressing about whether what I’m doing is new, different, or marketable. I’m making music that I want to make, not what the music industry is telling me to make.
5. Charity!
Charity is HUGE for us. There are charity compilations constantly being organized and as a genre we are very socially aware. Recently, JK Rowling even recognized the wizard rock based organization The Harry Potter Alliance as one of her favorite fan sites because of their mission to change the world and promote social justice. We truly believe that “The weapon we have is love”
6. Where to Start
Once I tell people that there are now over 400 Wizard Rock bands, it’s hard to know where to start, so here are some of my recommendations on good albums to start with: Harry & the Potters’ “Harry and the Potters and the Power of Love”, The Whomping Willows “III”, The Remus Lupins’ “I was a Teenage Werewolf”, or Draco & the Malfoys “Party Like You’re Evil!”
7. Deathly Hallows = Death to Wizard Rock?
Many people were worried that with the release of the seventh book this would all die out, but clearly, that didn’t happen since the entire genre only grew with the book release! There are HP conferences booked into 2011, and more and more conferences are embracing wizard rock. I will continue with Wizard Rock as long as it is still fun for me and as long as there’s still an audience. I know most of the other bands feel the same way too, so we’re not going anywhere any time soon.
So, that’s your crash course in Wizard Rock! If you want to check out my band, head over to The Tonks & the Aurors MySpace page.
Also, if you’re looking for some cool events that are Wizard Rock based, there’s Wrockstock in St. Louis and the HP conference TERMINUS is hosting a 30 Band concert in August at the Chicago Hilton.
The Wizard Rockumentary is also starting a national screening schedule, so if you can, you should go to one! Check their site for the screening schedule.
Oh, and Wizard Rock has opened the doors for even more bands about books and other fandoms like Star Wars, The Princess Diaries, and Twilight.
Somebody needs to jump on a Gardella Band!
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
April 17th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I must be really sheltered, because I’d never heard of Wizard Rock before your blog, Stephanie, even though I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. Guess I’m not as huge a fan as I thought! LOL
Off to check out the links . . .
April 17th, 2008 at 9:54 am
it’s unfortunate that this statement is so very true nowadays: “…making music that I want to make, not what the music industry is telling me to make.”
I saw Harry & The Potters in Harvard Sq last July, when they turned Harvard Sq into Hogwarts Sq for the release of the last book…it was a trip seeing so many people dressed up! Here’s a picture I took of the poster:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fondofelves/841625767/
As you might be able to tell by my blog name & my flickr name, I’m a big fan of HP & Tolkien
Rock on!
April 17th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Hey, COOL STUFF!!!
I guess I am sheltered too…as I know nothing about this…and even worse(I hope you guys won’t hate me!) I’ve not read a single HP book - but I’ve seen 2 entire movies and about half of another! 
Does that count for something? I love your line about spouting off slogans like “Fight Evil! Read Books!” - awesome!!! 
We have Harry Potter Day here(Waukesha, WI) every summer - it’s a huge hit. Enjoy making the music you like for as long as the ride lasts(that is so cool!) - music moves people. I don’t think I could live without music(reading either for that matter)!!! 
Nice post - thanks for saying “hi!” 
April 17th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I love it! Subcultures like this are such community builders, and such pure fun. People who do this kind of stuff don’t do it because society is telling them it’s the trendy thing to do, they do it because they LOVE it, and that makes for relationships that are really strong. Rock on, Stephanie!
April 17th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Oh, and who’s the hottie with the signed neck? Bonus.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Janet- I’m crazy jealous that you saw Harry and the Potters at Harvard Square! If I wasn’t working the day of the book release, I was going to road trip out there, since HatP are one of my favorite bands ever.
Kristin- I should give credit where it’s due…”Fight Evil, Read Books” is a slogan created by The Remus Lupins, (but everyone uses it now) and I do agree that it perfectly sums up what we’re doing! My roommate/BFF hasn’t read HP either, but I’m slowly buying her all the books to force her to do it. I’m crafty like that.
Esri- Wizard Rock as a subculture is really fascinating, which is why I loved the Wizard Rockumentary. We’re really tight-knit and supportive of each other. Most of us are trying to survive until summer, when we’ll see each other at all the conferences and concerts that are happening. And the hottie is one of my best friends from high school. He’s pretty awesome!
April 17th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Wow, Stephanie this is all pretty awesome. I had never heard of Wizard Rock before, but i’ll definately check it out. What you all do sounds pretty amazing.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I’m a ginormous HP fan. I visit MuggleNet.com often so I’ve heard of a few Wizard Rock band names before, but I didn’t realize there were 450! There must be some pretty cool names. Love your first pic Stephanie! I was also unaware that you guys are very children-should-continue-reading centric {if that makes sense}. Rock on! I hope your Wizard Rock success continues to thrive!
Thanks Colleen for bringing some HP-ness to your blog.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
This is just the coolest thing ever! And how great that y’all can pursue something you love without “the man” holding you back AND give back to the world? Most excellent!
April 17th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Hi! That is totaly Cool! I love Harry Potter, Big Fan of the books! Magic Rules! I had to get a repilc of his magicwond for my shop. I also ride a motorcycle so I got a deploma off of ebay that says I graduated from Hogwarts in Flying!!!! Fun Stuff.
Keep up the cool Work.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Wow Stephanie, that’s pretty cool! You know, I’ve been reading the Twilight series, and it seems like I have heard about A Twilight based band. I’m going to check out your links now.
April 17th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Oh my *mazoku scratching her head* I listen to all kinds of rock, but I never heard of Wizard Rock before!! O_o Ok, I’m not really into Harry Potter, but still… *sigh* However, hi Stephanie!!
*waves hand*
April 18th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Great job Steph! Wizard rock is amazing. You did a great job representing.