If you know me well, you know that I love music.
I bleed music. It's my lifeline.
If you know me well, you know that I am opinionated.
I have strong opinions. These are mine.
I was at my friends' house getting my hair cut on Thursday. Her husband is in a band, and ultimately our conversations turn to music. Music itself, artists and the industry. We talked about how Rock is dead.....a conversation I had 2 more times that day with music lovers and a musician.
I love my friend. But she constantly tries to turn me on to Lady Gaga and most recently Justin Beiber. I understand her argument: Gaga is a classically trained musician and Beiber can play almost any instrument exceptionally well.
That's precisely why I don't like them. They don't do what they are most gifted at. They do what pays them the most. They have taken a look at the music "industry" and crafted a marketing tool to take advantage of consumers. For that, I will give them credit. It's a brilliant business move. However, until they start highlighting their true talent, I will continue to overlook them. Regardless of whatever ridiculous "get up" and stage gimmick Gaga is doing at the time. Regardless of Bieber's nail polish line and self-promoting "documentary" That is my prerogative. I will not judge anyone for enjoying their entertainment. I just have a different point of view.
I've spent endless hours in small pubs with sub-par sound and tiny crowds to support bands I love. I overlook the fact that the bands I love are due to hit the stage at 9 pm on a Sunday night but end up going on at 11:30pm instead, or most recently 12:30 am on a Sunday night. It's important for me to be there. For me, selfishly, because I love the music and often am friends with one or all members of the band. For them, I'm there to be one more person to pay a cover, support them with my attention, cheers and applause.
Most times, recently, there are only 20-30 people in attendance, and often several of them are in the other band(s) playing that night. (Sidenote-if you are the opening band(s) and you leave after your set and don't stay to support the following acts-shame on you. Really)
Every one in a band these days has their own story. I cannot speak for them. All I can discuss is what I see.
Many, if not all, of my musician friends, have other jobs that help them enjoy their musical interests, whether as a serious career or as a hobby. This usually means that they have to set aside time from their jobs, other obligations, friends and family to tour, practice and to perform.
The fact that many of them are so talented is not a surprise to me. What is a surprise to me is the lack of response to their talent, whether it's the record companies, booking agents or fans.
One of my favorite bands is from BC. I first saw them open up for another artist at the Underground in 2007. We were blown away by how tight they were as a band. It was obvious (and still is) that they work their asses off to come together as a band and it appears that there is no one dominant ego. I could be wrong- I don't know the personality dynamics of the band, but they seem to be performing with and for each other. They interact with their fans online and in person at their gigs. I can say with all honesty that I have rarely met a band or musicians that are as humble as these guys are. They have a unique sound, as as much as I hate to "genre-lize" bands, I do have a hard time describing their style of music. Despite it being incredible, it's not "commercial" enough for them to get signed or get radio play. Yet, we are inundated with Beiber, Nickleback, Britney, Gaga, and even washed up boy bands like NKOTBSB <-----what IS that, by the way? I've been most disenchanted when speaking to the bass player of this band and he tells me that they have to write "better" music in order to get signed. By better, he means "commercial" "mainstream" "lacking uniqueness". That sucks because as they are, they are incredible musicians and performers.
Instead of my friends who work tirelessly at improving their talents and staying true to their style getting appropriate recognition, they are met with mediocre publicity for their gigs ( IF a booking agent actually calls them back), lack of enthusiasm by the venues and the supporting/opening bands, lack of attendance by fans, and no radio play.
I invited a couple of friends to the last gig I was at. Both of them appreciate music the way that I do. My friend Owen leaned over during the set and said "This isn't my type of music, but these guys are incredible entertainers. They shouldn't be playing in a basement, they should be playing at the Republik and charging $25 a ticket". Yup. Instead, they got to share their portion of the collective cover charge of $10/head with 2 other bands. I hope they didn't spend that all in one place.
The other thing that drives me bonkers is the fact that many bands don't have anything to sell at their gigs. And if they do, they price their CDs ( which is their intellectual property ) cheaper than t-shirts. Stop doing that!
My mom has asked me "What is it with all this music stuff you post on Facebook?". My reply was simple. "I have talented friends. I love music. I love my friends. I want them to succeed. Therefore I want everyone to know about them." The end.
So, what do I want? Besides the band that I saw on Thursday (and all talented musicians) get the recognition they deserve ( i.e. Radio play as they are, record sales and even a record deal and proper promotion) I want all of my talented friends to succeed. This can only happen if we support these individuals and bands. How can we do that? Here are a few ideas:
Fans:
- Stop stealing music. Buck up and pay the $10 an album. In fact, buy a copy for a friend you think might enjoy it. You accomplish 3 things this way: support the band ( I know, I know....they get about .000005c per every 99c download, but whatever), get them a new fan, feel the joy of giving.
-Go see live shows. Attend concerts, festivals, living rooms. Listen to these people. And bring at least 1 friend - spring for their cover while you're at it.
-Visit the merch table. Have one less overpriced beer and buy one more underpriced CD. Or t-shirt. Or panties. I don't care. Give these people your money. They've driven from somewhere (while sometimes eating Kraft Dinner and sleeping in their vans) to entertain you and this stuff costs them money. It's really inexpensive to you. Embarrassingly so.
-Talk about them. If you can't go to a gig, tell someone who can. Share the art. You never know who is going to like the music and who isn't.
-Stop complaining that concert tickets are too expensive. Start seeking out smaller venues and lesser known artists. Some of the best venues I've been to are churches and bingo halls. You won't see me at the Saddledome again. (Except for Roger Waters. Or David Gilmour. Or both)
Venues:
-When a band calls you wanting to book a show at your venue, CALL THEM BACK. They are not only trying to get exposure, they are going to make you money. Remember math?
-If you book a band, promote them. If you can't see through to doing for the good of the band(s), be selfish, do it for your own benefit. Why do something half-assed? Posters are always taken by real fans, and guess what? The posters have your venue name on them. People who go to rock shows drink alcohol and order food. Why would you pay your servers to work at a gig if you aren't promoting the gig to even just cover your costs. May I introduce you to....math?
-Pay the bands. Don't make them track you down after a show to get their $30 dollars. That's humiliating. And you get a bad reputation. A bad reputation = less money in your pocket. MATH!
Bands:
- Interact with your fans through social media and when they show up for a gig, talk to them. People want to feel a part of something. Their loyalty to you because you treated them with respect = free advertising. FREE!
-Bring merch. Chances are your true fans have everything you are selling, but the friend(s) they brought to the show don't. If they leave without having the opportunity to take your music or a shirt with them, they might forget your name tomorrow. And for f*ck sake, start pricing your CDs higher than a t-shirt. Give them value. By pricing them lower than a garment, you debase the value of your art.
-Keep your website up to date. A real fan will check back a few times and give up but someone who doesn't know you won't come back if you don't have current news/info and music on your site.
-Register your music with your national music copyright service. PROTECT what you have created and own.
I have so much more to say, and I'm sure I will but, in the meantime, please check out my real life, wonderful, extremely talented friends/pals who happen to be musicians:
- Jeff Brodnax - Website, Facebook
- Jon Davidson - Website, Facebook
- Early on Sunday - Website, Facebook
- Cold Driven - Website, Facebook
- Youth Season - Facebook
- Russell Stafford - Myspace
- Train Bigger Monkeys - Website, Facebook
- Tyler Summers - Website
- Top Soil - Facebook
- Chris Angel - Website, Facebook
- Dan Whitley - Myspace
I know what you are saying and agree with you - to a point.
ReplyDeleteThe underr-rated musicians have been around for longer than we know. And the act that did watered down fluff just to get signed is too. Even the Beatles did basic pop, and got creative later. there are 3 mayor reasons becuase its WORSE now than ever.
1 - there is no larger independant labels anymore that are willing to take risks, they have mostly been gobbled up by the major players. Virgin and roadrunner/Epitath owned by EMI - Island, A&M and Interscope by Universal - Sub Pop, Elektra and Asylum by Warner. These are the labels that gave us XTC, Offspring, bob Marley, The Police, Primus, Nirvana, Metallica and the Eagles. None of them would be signed now, quite simply because (with the exception of the Police) their first album,or first 2 albums¸ flopped. Even so much as the early 80`s they were willing to give second and third chances. They don`t now. If you cant sell a million copies with your debut, youre not signed.
2 - If they do get signed to a label, they get whats known as a 360 degree deal. The lables not only get the CD sales, the also get a portion of the tour, the merch, the downloads, the money from the web site, the endorcements - everything the artist does to make money. Therefore, this makes the lablel and managers more controlling on every aspect with what the artist does, in every possible way. They tell her who they endorce, because they want the money or they will not promote their music. Which is why you have the `Punk Rock Girl` Avril Lavigne shilling Canon Cameras, Elton John helping out on American Idol when he admidts he hates the show, Lady Gaga creating a perfume and clothing line etc.. (above does NOT apply to Gene Simmons)
3 - Simon Cowell.
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ReplyDeleteChris, I agree with you and I understand what happens behind the scenes. Don't even get me started on the manufactured "success" created by shows like American Idol etc.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest peeve is that people need someone to tell them what is "good" and "popular" or who has talent. People are sheep and want to fit in so they lower their standards in order to do so.
I think being signed by a label is a death wish for creativity but some bands still desire that, even knowing what that means. That pisses me off too. The business has become one of accepted mediocrity.
I'd like people to grab a brain and an open mind and support these artists for what they WANT to do, not what hey feel is expected of them.
Success means different things to different people. For some, it's being signed by a major label and being famous, for others it's having a good turnout at a gig while maintaining their creative license and for others it's simply having the opportunity to play music, period.
The music industry sucks but so do music fans. I'd like to see people take the initiative to do, be and listen to something different.