I'm pretty sure that I've talked about this before (at least once) but it bears repeating. In my city there is an amazing music scene. it's diverse, and creative and there is literally something for just about everyone. I'm sure this is also the case with many more cities around the world. I find it very impressive. The thing that frustrates me about creativity is a lot of people think that it means they are entitled to praise, and special treatment and above all else, an audience.
So many Facebook posts, and tweets and passive aggressive comments circulate, all blaming the audience for not paying the money or giving the band their time and attention.
"You'll pay $20 at Starbucks, But you won't spend $5 on your local music scene. pretty cool..."
1. Yes. I will absolutely spend $20 at Starbucks because that is what I want. Delicious fancy coffee and baked goods interests me, and I like to treat my coworkers sometimes.
2. I will spend the $5 to see a band I like. Actually I will likely spend at least $50 every time I go out and support my local music scene. I go out, have some drinks, buy people drinks and tip the bartenders well, because I know our awesome time is their bullshit shift cause some bitch called in sick.
If something is happening and I want to see it, I will go out if i can afford to. Like most people I would think. I guarantee you, if people wanted to come to your shows, or see your band, or hear your music, they will. What would stop them? I don't know many people who have a problem spending money when/how they want to.
It's not fair to expect everyone in your life to be your biggest fan just because of what you choose to do. I enjoy the diversity that our music scene has to offer, but nobody ever plays music for themselves. You play for an audience. and if you don't interest anyone, you don't get an audience. that is nobodies fault but your own. You can force anyone on the planet to have a different set of interests. Your girlfriend/boyfriend/best friend/family doesn't have to love your music. It's your choice, not theres. Would you pay $5-$50 to go out and not enjoy yourself? Why do you expect other people should for you?
It's called popular music for a reason. If your music isn't getting anyones attention or any audience after so long. The problem isn't with The Scene. It's probably with whatever your doing. At the end of the day, the reality is you can love your music all you want. Make music for yourself and make it all about yourself. it's totally your call. But unless you're willing to pay cover to see yourself hundreds of times, consider it a hobby. You have no idea about any professional music career.
I read this through a mutual friend on facebook. I am really unsure of the point you're trying to make.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, GENERALLY speaking... the whole "$5 for a coffee vs paying for music" argument is usually in response to to people STEALING music rather than buying it, not refusing to go out and see bands play live. Not saying it hasn't happened, but I've certainly never seen it, and have seen that argument tonnes of times online - always in response to purchasing. This has nothing to do with work ethic or boo hoo'ing about non-attendance at boring shows. This has to do with the fact that people often pay for things which are gone in an instant (like a coffee) than have a hard copy of someone's creative work. Of course this isn't saying that people don't WANT the music, or that it's too boring, just that they won't pay for something they can get for free, even if it means completely insulting the creator of the work you're enjoying (for free). I'm not giving an opinion on this (who has the time?) just stating that the whole basis of this argument comes off as innaccurate.
Second of all, what makes you so damn sure of what goes through an artist's head when they're "bitching about people refusing to go to shows"? It really makes no sense. The fact that you think you're in any position to wax poetic on what it is to "have an idea about any professional music career", but I can tell you that you're going out of your way to blog to people without even bothering to learn about the rules of the English language! Take a look at your uneducated, over-opinionated and entirely baseless rant. It is absolutely rife with grammatical errors, as you give advice to those who aspire to be musicians.
Of course, your obvious assertations are vaguely correct - people SHOULD make music for themselves as art, not a weakly constructed knock-off to sell purely as a product, but that's like saying people who drive shouldn't drink - THANKS CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! I think you're just someone who wants to write as if they are some sort of "industry insider" when all you are is an average music fan who knows some people in some bands... welcome to being a completely average person, poorly writing biased and baseless opinion pieces on this you know nothing about. YOU ARE EXACTLY THE BAND MEMBERS YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT. Take a look around, write about what you KNOW, not what you think is cool.
If you have ANY interest in journalism and being a true writer, you will publish my last post. I bet you won't.
ReplyDeletePlease don't preach about journalism or being a "true writer" as a means to threaten my integrity. Especially when your chosen outlet is an anonymous comment box on an online blog. You wasted a lot of time trying to call out someone who puts no value in anonymous words. My blog is satisfying to me. that is all i can ask from it. if my experiences help someone in the process that is awesome.
ReplyDeleteFind a better/more positive way to spend your time. Being so hateful and negative just breeds more people wasting their time.
I'd just like to point out that this person hasn't come forward or responded to defend themselves or state their identity. clearly strong, valid, intelligent points if nobody will stand behind them. The internet and the ability to stay a secret makes you too brave. Thank you for providing a little more excitement
ReplyDelete