A Big Reason for the Existence of Indie music.
To go back further in time, the only way to listen to a person(s) music was either to go see a live performance, or listen to a live radio broadcasts. This, of course, only offered a “one-time” enjoyment of one’s music. There wasn’t yet a technology which allowed for “business-minded people” to fully capitalize, or exploit the pleasure that Music provides for consumers. The creation of the record soon solved this dilemma. Finally,musicians like Duke Ellington’s Big Band’s, songs and performances could be put onto “something” and sold to the very high demanding consumer. This surely led any popular musician to quickly be picked up by some record label, like Columbia Records, who knew how much money they could reap from taking anywhere from 60-80% of an artist’s record sales!….(Hang in there, I’ve almost made my point)
We all know that “Indie” is not really considered a genre, or at least it shouldn’t be…(yes, you may “agree to disagree”). What I am trying to say is it was not the musicians, who created “Indie”, instead it was the markets, or whatever. It was the the record labels after suffering the profit losses from things like Napster in the 90′s and beyond, who ultimately said screw signing these ”good bands” to any type of record labels because they wouldn’t make us as much money, since people could just downloading it for “free”. Instead, it is only crappy ass bands that producers knew would sell who were getting signed to big record labels; i.e. your John Mayers, Nickelbacks, Fall out Boys, ect…So, it is unfortunate, in some aspects, that a lot of the REALLY good musicians of today, can’t experience the same types of successes that other bands once had in the 60′s, 70′s and ect. All because of…well I don’t really know who is too blame. Mother Nature?
Just an opinion, by the BK Broiler.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Interesting ponderings brother….I am saddened by the realization that most of my heroes (the indie artists) have to live in this world as mere mortals. They has to tour constantly in order to make any money (if they are lucky). For example, my favorite band right now has shows that typically cost $10 dollars to get into…I swear to god they loss money everytime they drive out here for me to see them perform.
Also (be honest) did you write this whole thing solely to make an obscure Duke Ellington reference? Mamadas.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
I posted an interview a while back w/ Doug Martsch from Built to Spill that encapsulated this issue pretty well. His idea was that all musicians should have to have day jobs.
I remember seeing a video of an Isaac Brock interview where he was having to rush the interview because he had to get to work at some record store in Portland.
Woodie Guthrie roamed the country playing in dive bars, same with Bob Dylan until a perfect storm catapulted him to stardom.
I’m trying to figure out what we’re lamenting? How is music any worse off because people can’t live in mansions and fuck chicks w/ dead fish (10 points to anyone who knows who I’m referencing).
You should be able to supplement your income as an artist and if you’re really good at it and lucky, then you should be able to make the living that a teacher or construction worker makes.
We’ve lived through years of excess, time for something new. Bring the “artists” back down to earth.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:59 am
Re GP. Led Zeppelin. Personally, I miss the days of rock star mystique.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
The mainstream tends to be the most shallow stream. Good post man, this site has become like a breath of fresh air in my work day. The woman in the office next to mine worships KROQ (literally. calls in to kevin and bean, has the kroq stickers, keychains, license plate frame…etc) subsequently I have to hear the sex fire song by The Kings of Leon in the background noise of our offices for the fourth or fifth time in the day (tragic, being that Aha Shake Heartbreak and Youth and Young Manhood both hold a beautifully unique area in my heart).
Our conversations on music usually go something like “Matt, are you going to coachella this year?” “Yeah” “Oh, it sounds dumb, I only know like 3 band names, why would you go all three days…”
Needless to say, I greatly appreciate this website and you fine people.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Aha Shake Heartbreak is one of my favorite cds as well…its sooo good. But, yeah…not so much any of their newer stuff….You should check out this other back called “photo atlas”…I like them a lot too. They play with that similiar kind of energy and arrangement of guitar bass & drums…get the album “no, not me, never”. They aren’t labeled in one of my favorite genres, but that album is still really good nevertheless. If you do get it, give it a few listen before you make your final verdict.