General Music Chat

Arcade Fire was a joke. I think that was the second "song" I tried to listen to. It was utter, pure garbage ...

But it's that where music seems to be heading ... they should start labeling it as preformance art ... not music ... and let music stand on it's own

Ron

At least it's rock. I'm not the biggest AF fan but I know plenty of people who love them. Here's their performance if you missed it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjKE2T3-DOI

I don't think anyone really knows where music is heading. Whereas record companies used to be the ones calling the shots, are slowly becoming "paid" consulting agencies. I've been noticing a large number of ads on Craigslist with "opportunities" to showcase before record companies wherein the winner will receive a "consultation" from said record company. The music of Arcade Fire isn't new. It's nothing but a soft brand of punk that was simply loud and atrocious, lacking all of the statements and means of punk. They sound like most of the Orange County, CA bands that operate down here. Guys who really can't play that well, so they turn it up as loud as they can, hoping you don't notice.

There's no direction and unless musicians find a nice cushy covers gig, if you wish to play originals, you're forced to become and operate like a business with a strong marketing campaign and often a gimmick. It has nothing to do with music anymore. Now, to get a following, bands are videotaping themselves and streaming their shows on the web, and if you can, get money to do a real video and pass it around with as much free music as you can just to entice people.

Chaeya

On the positive side - my brother emailed me and said Stanley Clark got an award. That gives me mixed feelings since I admire the heck out of Stanley but bitterly resent the fact that his fingers are twice as long as mine!

Talbot

I don't think anyone really knows where music is heading. Whereas record companies used to be the ones calling the shots, are slowly becoming "paid" consulting agencies. I've been noticing a large number of ads on Craigslist with "opportunities" to showcase before record companies wherein the winner will receive a "consultation" from said record company. The music of Arcade Fire isn't new. It's nothing but a soft brand of punk that was simply loud and atrocious, lacking all of the statements and means of punk. They sound like most of the Orange County, CA bands that operate down here. Guys who really can't play that well, so they turn it up as loud as they can, hoping you don't notice.

There's no direction and unless musicians find a nice cushy covers gig, if you wish to play originals, you're forced to become and operate like a business with a strong marketing campaign and often a gimmick. It has nothing to do with music anymore. Now, to get a following, bands are videotaping themselves and streaming their shows on the web, and if you can, get money to do a real video and pass it around with as much free music as you can just to entice people.

Chaeya

I know that a lot of successful bands use the tactic of giving away most or all of their music in hopes of acquiring a big following and then pack whatever gigs they get with their fans. With a huge number of people illegally downloading CD's for free (1.5 billion Chinese do it) and the slim chance you'll make any kind of meaningful money selling CD's then this tactic may be your only hope. With this new band I'm in my thinking is give away 1/2 for free and then try and sell the other half. We have an attorney advising us and would be quite happy to catch somebody downloading our material without our permission. Maybe we can earn a few extra bucks AND develop a big following at the same time. The thought of giving it all away to garner a following makes me ILL.

Give it away, Give it away!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPcvwlBpCN0

I have heard a lot of musicians say that they get a big "0" for their CD's, and that their recorded music is basically a promo for their concerts. I wouldn't have any problem with people downloading anything I have but no one wants my stuff anyway. But if someone actually made money on my original material, I think that is a whole different matter. I'd want a cut. So hope that anyone who steals your material is a big star or makes a #1 out of it so they can give you lots of money.

CD's do make good promos but club owners that book bands don't even listen to a lot of them.

The Indian casinos around here book local bands sometimes. I know a band leader (who was also the lead singer) that was asked to bring a CD of his band to the office so the person in charge of booking could hear them. When he went back to see if they would get hired the guy said "It sounds OK but The lead singer sucks"