Allston is one of the most fantastic microcosms in the world as far as I’m concerned. People here are unique and the desire to help everyone is abundantly present. Usually, when you get into the under belly of certain cities, you realize how cut throat things become and how terrible people are to one another. This is something I’ve yet to see anywhere in Allston. Call me naive or an idealist, but my experience here has been nothing but enjoyable and inspirational at every musical corner I turn in this wonderful part of Boston.
This city has a damn good thing goin’ in terms of a music scene. That can be attributed to various artists willing to share their creations, club promoters lending a hand to a brand new band that doesn’t know where or how to start, and show promoters that want nothing more than to help these amazing local acts be heard. This city is also home to various small indie/DIY record labels. Labels are popping up all over to keep this place rockin’ to its fullest potential. Whether it is Boston veterans at BUFU Records keepin’ things cranked to 11 and constantly mad chill or brand new DIY label Little Death Records who have plans to hand assemble all releases, there is no shortage of creative energy flowing throughout the streets of this city. I could go on for hours praising so many people, but today I want to focus on a guy who has been hard at work and has one of the biggest hearts I’ve encountered: Dustin Watson of Disposable America and True Believers Fan Club. 
Dustin Watson originally hails from Maine. He moved to Boston in 2006 for college and, as most individuals interested in music, became enamored with the thriving scene and numerous bands active in the area. While attending shows and supporting the scene as a concert goer, he developed a business of button making. His high quality, quick turnaround products earned him a place in the scene and he was sought after for his honest business ethics and hard work. People were steadily requesting orders from him in the Boston area and beyond.
Initially, he was only making buttons under the name Disposable America. That tide shifted when friends of his in the band Maura were looking for an outlet to release their EP “Me and My Friends” (released 8/30/2012). It has been over two years since that initial release, and during that time span Disposable America has 14 releases under its belt and no signs of stopping soon. Releases include cassettes and vinyl from Soft Fangs, Twin Foxes, Ghost Thrower, and more. All packaged with care and attention that give them the charm Dustin himself possesses. As someone who is a fan of his releases, along with his button making prowess, I can attest that Dustin is one of the most up front, genuine, and kind people that I have had the pleasure of meeting since moving to Boston in 2011. Always willing to lend a helping hand and constantly working hard for the bands he believes in, Dustin can be found booking shows for out of town bands and local bands alike. His work has helped keep Allston the utopia for independent artists and musicians that it has become renowned for.
Once it became clear that the button making and record label were taking off in two different directions, he decided to split the two businesses keeping the name Disposable America for his label and adopting True Believers Fan Club for his pin industry. He produces all sorts of buttons featuring your favorite bands (*cough* Fugazi *cough* *Jawbreaker*) as well as feature pieces for time honored television shows like King of the Hill and Friends. Truly a jack of all trades, and a damn nice dude, Dustin is a fantastic part of our scene. I sincerely encourage anyone and everyone to work with him as he is always available and always up front. In an industry that can be littered with unreliable people, it’s awesome to know that Dustin is a part of what makes Allston great and we’re damn glad about that.
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