Art is Hard

The fact is - sometimes I write these posts and they're easy. Sometimes, they're redundant. My intention is to always provide probing, introspective shit that doesn't necessarily revolve around my current mood or immediate impulse. I sit, think, drink (coffee), and type...usually. But today, I received a prompt from a friend of mine (an assignment, as she called it). She is a promoter for a music label, and after she found out that I have been writing (however briefly) in a blog and on my own, she requested my "services?" yeah - she definitely requested my services (wry grin). This is more like how it actually went: after I begged her to ask me my opinion, she obliged.

ANYWAY - she wants to know about the public perception of the music industry. Since she is so close to the various moving parts of the machine, I suppose she has lost touch with how the "dude" seeks and finds new tunes. She is still very plugged in - I mean, it's her job to have impeccable taste and to know what's popular - two characteristics that don't always coincide. But a healthy dose of perspective is always helpful, so I sat and started to type like I generally do: reasonable rationale soaked in cynicism, and topped with the anecdotal, "but this is all gonna change," so as to avoid any real conflict with anyone anywhere.

After rereading, I realized that no one wants to hear me apologize for my opinions. So, I began to rewrite, criticizing big corporate labels for refusing to accept that their industry is undergoing far-reaching, impactful changes, and simultaneously criticizing those who advocate indiscriminate piracy. Let's face it, some ignorant music thieves have the strange idea that they are just stealing from stinking rich record companies. Conversely, others assume they're helping obscure artists 'get noticed' by making countless copies of their EP.

To further complicate the matter, no other artistic medium has been this thoroughly hacked, passed around, and fundamentaly dismantled; making it difficult to establish precedent.

I have, however, found one common thread. Albeit a bit platitudinous, I think that - even amongst all the money-grubbing - all parties can agree on one thing: the greater good.

All we hear from musicians is that the desire to make music overrides everything else – they are called - that there’s a compulsion to create – so why can't we all just focus on the one common thread? Sure, there are different blends, contrapuntal creations, and music made that goes in entirely different directions. But does that rule out the possibility of all positively pursuing musicality? Maybe we can't do it - peace and harmony sure seem a long way off - but then again, good music is better than nothing.

-IE