smoe.org mailing lists
ivan@stellysee.de
| From | "MTN HIGH" <mtn-high@msn.com> |
| Subject | Re: Rants R Us |
| Date | Sat, 12 Jul 2003 12:42:06 +0000 |
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Your approach/attitude goes over very well here as a *mere* Fan/consumer,
Kerry.
And my first though when reading Wendies post was exactly the same as
yours...*powerpop* died in the late 70's....and only a few artists kept the
flame going until the last few years when the underground swelled and events
like IPO/Baypop/Sparklefest arose to give the artists a venue and a
*possible* chance to be heard. (as with many other facets of life, there
were never any guarantees stated) To think that one will break out in a
genre that is not in favor at present is a bit over the top for me. (It can
happen...but then you'll find you aren't in favor with this group, *for
sure*) Seems like you really can't win.
Even so, I admire your ongoing drive to challenge yourself. Without
desire...there is very little to offer that will resonate within the
listener. (who, while just a stooge, does know what sounds good whether
they're a friggin' musicain or not) Your approach is reasonable....you know
it'll be a snowballs chance in hell that anyone will take note of your
tunes....yet still you play on. If you were to give up....THEN *they* (i, e,
"the powers that be") HAVE won and you've lost, both commercially...and more
importantly...on a personal level.
A blanket ***THANKS*** goes out from this mere fan to anyone out there who
choses to follow their dream. In the process, I've tagged along with many of
you...have seen the beauty inside you...and have seen my own life enriched
because of what you do time and time again.
"I know, it's only rock and Roll...but I like it"
Stick with it folks. History shows that trends change....and I have a
feeling that it won't be long before the throngs of youth raised on the
current media fare of boy bands and hip hop will again feel the need to ROCK
just as our generation did. IF that happens....Audities artists will be in
favor once again...and the treasure chest of unknown releases born from this
movement will be discovered and revered.
"Got my head in the sky..."
Pat
>From: "Kerry Chicoine" <KChicoine@whitehat.com>
>Reply-To: audities@smoe.org
>To: <audities@smoe.org>
>Subject: Re: Rants R Us
>Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2003 12:58:14 -0700
>
>Some people (like Wendie, perhaps?) set out -- from the beginning -- to
>make
>their living as an original music artist. They go to very expensive schools
>and buy the very best equipment and put together the very best bands they
>can. They compartmentalize their musical output, writing whatever might be
>required for whatever specific project they're contributing to at the
>moment. They plan for a secure future in music the way I've planned for a
>secure future as an accountant (I'm now a VB programmer, but I can always
>go
>back to banking if need be. Yawn.).
>
>Unfortunately -- like Wendie says -- the opportunities to make a living as
>a musician have dwindled to almost NOTHING during the past few years;
>frankly, it's ALWAYS been a gamble, but never more so than now. It's
>ridiculous: a guy like Mike Keneally -- who, honestly, could play the rings
>around Saturn if he chose to, he's such an unbelievable musician and
>songwriting visionary -- has a hard time supporting himself these days. I
>know dozens of stellar, visionary musicians who can't sustain a living wage
>in this climate. I can sympathize with Wendie, and her attitude is
>completely understandable.
>
>On the other side of the coin, I understand where Kevin is coming from.
>I've
>always been *way* too realistic to honestly believe I could make money from
>my music. I mean, I hold out hope that it *could* happen, but I don't go
>chasing after it with much zeal. However, I honestly consider myself a
>successful songwriter because -- at the age of 40 -- I'm still writing
>music
>that challenges me, technically as well as emotionally. In fact, I've
>*never* been as creative as I've been these last few years. When I finish
>demoing a song, play it back, and hear/feel the emotions being conveyed the
>way I originally heard it in my head, the feeling of success is incredible,
>like a morphine-mixed-with-methamphetamine rush. I *live* for that feeling.
>
>Unlike Wendie, I made a conscious decision -- years ago -- to choose a
>fairly stable means of income so that I would always have the *ability* to
>create my music. Luckily, the *inspiration* to create has never left me;
>there's too many amazing, near-unknown writers who constantly inspire me
>(Adam Marsland, Mike Keneally, Neal Morse, Kevin Gilbert, etc). Also, I'm
>very grateful for the internet in that it's allowed me to easily share my
>music with the world (an option that didn't exist a few years ago) and --
>surprise, surprise -- I've actually made a few fans whose support and
>respect means the world to me.
>
>That said, I'm glad that I didn't choose the path Wendie did; it sounds
>like
>she's been through a lot of scary bullshit. But -- honestly -- it's nothing
>new; I've been aware of industry horror stories since my days as a teenage
>prog-head in the '70's. Wendie chose a difficult path, the industry changed
>on her, and now she has to either adapt or change careers. I consider
>myself
>lucky to operate outside the constrictions that "making it in the music
>industry" entails.
>
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