When I first started this blog, I intended for it only to be about indie music. However, I soon found myself drawn to other genres of music that I found appealing and a bit taboo. As a recovering indie addict from High School, pop music became a natural obsession, mostly because I refused to listen to it for the better part of seven years (yes that's middle school and high school). So American Idol has also become a slight fixation of mine, not because I watch it --I don't, but I follow it. Here lies the difference.
To me the idea of watching people get all teary eyed and glammed up to sing unoriginal songs is a bit mundane. It's sort of like watching a beauty pageant, all glitter, no substance. So with the 1000th season of Idol upon us (well a few months away I guess?) I felt it was time for me to come out of the closet about the show. No, I don't hate it, but don't count me in as a fan either. I do resent it, mostly for allowing so many annoying spin offs that plague my television time...really, who watches "So You Think You Can Dance?" As someone who writes about music (obviously as a hobby..don't worry my ego is not eclipsing the sun --yet), I do find it hard to take winners and contestants of the show seriously as musicians.
To me, American Idol is less about music and more about "Star Power" it's instant fame. Furthermore, it's no surprise to me that the majority of runner ups and some winners quickly fade into obscurity, end up singing at state fairs, get dropped from their record labels, or end up hosting lame "Idol' themed shows on the TV Guide Channel. If the show was never about "the music" in the first place how does "Idol" expect the audience to remain interested in the "contestant's music" once the cameras are turned off and everyone is done with their scripted television sob stories?
It's true that Idol has also launched a few careers, we all know Kelly Clarkson, Carry Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and a few others. But for every Kelly there is a Justin Guarini, some sad has-been still trying to hold on to his name on the D list. I know its a bit harsh but let's be honest; if the all American girls and boys who audition for Idol really sincerely care about making music like they say when Ryan Seacrest interviews them at the auditions, they wouldn't be on Idol.
A person who really wants to make music and be known as an artist versus a celebrity is militant about getting that music heard, on MySpace, on Youtube, on mixtapes, on the street--they are not smiling for the cameras on Idol. People who want to be celebrities first and singers second are the ones who audition for Idol, that's why Justin is still hosting that stupid show on TV Guide and not making albums. And look I'm not talking about multi-platinum records here, as we all know a great album is an accomplishment within itself whether a million people hear it or a thousand. This is what American Idol has yet to grasp--music as an art form not as a tool of mass consumption.
So as we all turn on, tune in, and drop out for another season of American Idol, keep this in mind: would you still buy one of these contestant's albums if they were not associated with the show?
Really, in this day and age when more songs are purchased on the Internet as "singles" and record stores are closing in record numbers, does creating an "album" really make any creative sense? When artists put all their creative energy into a record, only to have one or two songs purchased on the Internet are the days of the album numbered?
Take Estelle, her single "American Boy" was last year's summer success story selling millions of singles on itunes. However she was still unable to move copies of her debut album. This became so worrisome for her record label, that the company even withdrew her first single from music downloading sites in the hopes that it would motivate people to go to record stores to purchase the entire thing. This actually led more people buying the new version of "American Boy" off of itunes sung by an Estelle and Kanye West impersonator. People didn't care about Estelle's album, they just wanted her single.
Furthermore, The Smashing Pumpkins were recently interviewed on The Hour, a Canadian pop culture and news talk show hosted by ex 102.1 radio DJ George Stroumboulopoulos. They mentioned something quite interesting. Billy Corgan (one half of the remaining members) said they were finished with albums, there was no point anymore: no one was sitting down and listening to an entire record. So what was the point of sitting down taking up hours of studio time and creating a bunch of songs no one would listen to. It makes much more sense to release a few songs at a time, instead of a huge artistic opus the masses will not appreciate, or purchase.
Maybe that's Radiohead's idea as well. It's widely known by now that the band has announced they are not creating a follow up to In Rainbows, and yet new singles continue to be leaked on the Internet. Maybe its the new era of empowerment for musicians: if they are not tied down with studio time and the daunting task of writing many songs for an album, they can release material whenever they want. This also saves money on promotion campaigns for records, as well as lengthy and costly touring time. It gives artists a flexibility they never had before: to release music whenever they want. This also eliminates the middlemen: the large record companies, the promotion campaigns and so forth.
However, does this also mean that experimentation and creativity have also died with the album? Some of the greatest songs of all time were B sides, or songs that were never meant to become singles. The Smiths song "How Soon Is Now?" was a B Side the band was thinking of throwing away, but in a last minute change was added to an album and became one of their biggest hits, and one of the greatest alternative rock anthems of the eighties. Albums for me have always been like books, tangible items with intangible meaning that you can flip through and revisit again and again. Album art has already taken a hit from the digital transition, no longer can you page through drawings and album covers, something being an artistic person myself I really miss. Album art was usually the concept of the music put on paper, it was music without the notes and now its just a tiny icon on the screen on Windows Media Player.
The economics of the album are also controversial. Does the elimination of an album really make artists more experimental or will there be a drive to become more marketable; make songs for the public that will sell and break away from making cutting edge music that would have been placed on a record. I have mentioned ring tone rap in a post I did about Spencer Pratt, but what about indie bands and alternative acts, will there be a drive to sell singles or experiment more? The record industry has been hit hard by the recession (although it was suffering before the recession) will moving singles on itunes take precedence over making great music? And if it does what will the next generation of artists sound like? Every generation has their "generic pop bands" but usually there is a movement of performers who push the envelope, and who test boundaries and those individuals are usually the ones who define the music of a decade or era. However with the elimination of the album, will those artists still exist, or will they be pushed out of the market, by the cutthroat ring tone and singles industry? Or will there be a new "do it yourself" generation of musicians who sell their music through social networking sites like myspace and youtube? Creating a musical niche and avoiding the claws of the record label? Is musical experimentation dead or just beginning? You tell me.
Oh why WHY? Right after the Drake Nipsey post I thought the music couldn't get any worse, but no things can ALWAYS get worse. I ranted about LMFAO's "I'm in Miami Trick" months ago...and now this????? When will they stop making songs....please dear god when will they stop?
You know that guy at the party who is able to rattle off a bunch of bands you have never heard of, bash your favorite artists and then talk about some stupid trip through Scandinavia he took to see his favorite Norwegian twee pop group? Well, this is your revenge! Indie snobs are everywhere these days invading your coffee houses, eating lunch at that new vegan restaurant, giving long annoying lectures in your philosophy class, and being pretentious at parties. Younger indie snobs (like the high school version of me...sorry 16 year old MusicGeek...but its true) generally pick up indie snobbery as a defense mechanism. We are usually the nerdier kids in your classes who look like we just walked out of the Urban Outfitters Catalog. Indie music is our version of rebellion, we aren't as tough as the punk kids, we have a better sense of humor than the emos and goths, and we hate almost everyone in our school, so we use indie music to look cool and in a vain attempt to get laid...which never works out. You may tell us you love indie music, Death Cab For Cutie is one of your favorite bands, and we will roll our eyes, not because we don't like Death Cab (we probably still do...but remember they are popular now...almost MAINSTREAM) so we don't acknowledge them as "indie" we may tell you we never liked them...although that's a lie. Just try to see through the long list of bands we are rattling off, just remember we're really insecure and we want you to think we're cool. Or, if you are of the opposite sex we may be trying to impress you long enough to want to sleep with us...yeah that works. So here are some tips for dealing with indie snobs, because remember some of us grow out of it and some of us are back packing through Norway just to gain social recognition.
At a Party: You are going to the cooler to get another Heineken when suddenly some guy starts commenting on that Band T Shirt you are wearing. "Oh Coldplay I knew about them when they were still signed to Pandabear Records back in 2001 so whats Your favorite song from their first EP? I stopped listening to them after they released Yellow." The prick goes on and on about bands you have never heard of "I love Neutral Milk Hotel and Dressy Bessy" What the hell do you do?
The Reality Of The Matter Is: You probably just got the Heineken at the wrong time. Chances are you are a pawn the indie snob is playing with to impress a mildly attractive girl nearby.
Option 1: You bail, grab your Heineken tell him you have to use the bathroom and dart in the other direction...not smooth AT ALL.
Option 2: You try to outdo the indie snob by talking about bands you know...good luck buddy. After trying to impress the music snob by talking about The Postal Service and Metallica you finally realize how lame you sound.
Option 3: You trick them into thinking you know more than you do...this is the way to go. Me, my sister and friend Bradley made up a game where we literally try to make up indie band names, and surprisingly most of them sound pretty authentic. Try it, chances are the indie snob won't know what hit them. So when he starts talking about that new Fiery Furnaces album change the band name..."Oh yeah I heard about that but did you hear about the Ready Set Go Trees new EP Pink Elephant?" Chances are he will be so stunned you know about an indie band he doesn't he may just agree, "Oh yeah of COURSE I heard about their EP!" if he claims he has he's not a real indie snob he's just a poser. If the indie snob is authentic he may tell you he'll check it out. When this happens, don't panic, if he comes back to you claiming he searched for the EP and the band and couldn't find it, just tell him its so new it hasn't been released on the Internet yet, YOU got a special copy from the band. This should shut him up and make him marvel at your indieness. However, usually the indie snob will just admit he never heard of the Ready Set Go Trees and won't even bother looking them up on the Internet, he'll just walk away ashamed with his tail between his legs.
At School: Your professor is giving a lecture about music piracy and the internet for your ethics class. One douche bag decides that since he knows EVERYTHING there is to know about music its his job to lecture the class on how WRONG it is to illegally download albums
The Reality Of The Matter Is: That kid with the Deerhoof T shirt probably steals more music than anyone in the class. However since he justifies his stealing with claiming he buys "concert tickets" and "band merch" it makes him FAR LESS evil than the average mainstream music pirate he's lecturing against. Don't you just love double standards?
Option 1: Just let the idiot talk. If you are really ticked off at him confront him after class about his music downloading habits, but he may just lie and get offended and tell you "he ALWAYS pays for his music" this is probably not true but you aren't going to get anything else out of him. Just send him off with a nice "kick me" sign on his back.
Option 2: Respond back in class...wouldn't recommend this either...unless you like getting into embarrassing pointless arguments in front of a class of 200.
Option 3: Just shut up put on some headphones and grab a good magazine. Normally being the nerd I am I wouldn't endorse not paying attention in class...but if you are in this situation, silent protest is your best defense.
At a Coffee Shop: Woah you just walked into the ultimate indie snob hangout...you are fucking surrounded. You cannot escape! You are in the middle of people ordering soy lattes and talking about their all tofu diets...RUN!
The Reality of The Matter Is: If Nature and National Geographic were present they would tell you that you had just walked in on a ritual courtship routine between mature music snobs. Indie snobs gather at coffee shops to scan the possible competition and meet mating partners, you are just an arbitrary observer.
Option 1: Just sit with your 700 calorie mocha shake and try not to be noticed, but indie snobs can smell intruders especially if they reek of Hollistor and Abercrombie and Fitch.
Option 2: Try to blend in with the crowd. Conformity is normally frowned upon in this close knit community, but honestly indie snobs are just "non conformist conformers" meaning we try so hard to NOT fit in we end up just becoming stereotypes ourselves. However, if you don't have any indie snob friends the indie look can be hard to pull off, no one likes a poser...
Option 3: Just sit and don't give a flying fuck...this is the best option. If indie snobs notice that you are comfortable with yourself, and could care less about their ultra trendy coffees clothes and bands, they will probably glance at you for a second or two and then move on to the next person that comes in. Then you can just sit and enjoy the indie snob National Geographic special.
I am working on indie rock and heavy metal blog posts to accompany my goth/industrial and emo posts...however they take a really long time to write (there is a bit of research involved...believe it or not) so expect them sometime next month.
So basically me and Bradley had one of our ritual lets get together and talk really loudly and scare people days. Which is quite self explanatory, we walk all over Buffalo without realizing it and bitch about extremely arbitrary topics, to the amusement of all who over hear us. Eventually the conversation always turns to music. Me and Bradley have known each other for over ten years and are polar opposites, I am a 5 foot tiny white girl, he is a 6 foot 3 gigantic black dude, I went to a huge university in a big city, he went to a tiny college in a microscopic town. Bradley is a huge proponent of so called "ring tone rap" (see the Spencer Pratt post for more clarification). We literally get into screaming matches over his "ring back tones" and the like...let me put it this way he likes Flo Rida WAY to much. Bradley's concept of music is that everything should come to the center, this means that all music is eventually commercialized and packaged like "pop." He justifies this by saying that the biggest rappers today noting Flo Rida and Soulja Boy are less about the lyrics and all about the beat and hook that makes it have a more "dance" oriented sound, after this speech I usually roll my eyes and scowl. I then go on to list artists that I like that stay true to their roots, make great music, and care about the time and effort that goes in to making a great album, he usually grumbles something about me being an indie snob and then notes that you don't see any of my bands on any lists for the most popular singles and ringtones. This conversation can go on for hours, and usually ends with both of us agreeing to disagree. However today, Bradley claimed that my affinity for indie music had gone too far, clouding my judgement of more popular music just because I have what he calls "an indie snob" complex. And this might be true, I mean I also think that Bradley likes to assign people arbitrary disorders because he is a psych major, but I must admit my indie snobbery has actually hindered my appreciation for other types of music. I can't say I will ever like Soulja Boy (actually I will never like Soulja Boy) but all these guilty pleasures lists I make would sure be unnecessary if I admitted to liking pop music in the first place. But I like my guilty pleasures lists and I enjoy my obscure collection of indie rock...so basically our relationship remains the same. What did we learn from all of this? Absolutely nothing. However to pay tribute to my best friend I've posted some artists HE likes for a change...didn't ever think THAT would happen.
You know how many times I have suffered on the phone waiting for him to pick up listening to this!!!! Way too many.
My second least favorite rapper, well he's not my least favorite! Have to give him props for ripping off an even lamer eighties song with an even lamer music video
Bradley claimed he discovered her first, and honestly I couldn't care less, but lets just assume he did. At least I can thank Lady Gaga for rejuvenating pop music, but can't say I'm a fan AT ALL.
I was tooling around mush records, a independent record label based in Los Angeles that specializes in electronica and shoegaze. I basically go to different record labels from time to time to "shop" for artists I think may make cool blog features....well I didn't find anything I liked this time, in fact quite the opposite. These guys scared me so much I had to feature them...they are just that bad.
The majority of comments, supported this type of hip hop experimentation, and hey I'm all for creativity...but I don't get this at all.
I am always dissing mainstream stuff but I never really bitch about my indie rock pet peeves, so today this blog is reserved for bands I don't quite understand...and for all you indie rock fans who may be offended, this is an advanced apology.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah They are indie rock darlings, have been featured in countless issues of the most respected indie rock magazines, and they annoy me to no end. Maybe its the singer's voice, and the mumbling whiny thing he has going on...but its like nails on a chalkboard to me. The monotonous chord progression also bothers me its like their songs never go anywhere, but top music critics disagree with me as well as avid indie rock fans...oh well.
Deerhoof Where to start with this band, they are so loved, and yet I hate them so very very much. I know the lead singer's voice is supposed to be cute and off key but dear god she can't sing for anything...and I know that is supposed to be the appeal along with the "lets play instruments like we are a middle school band" but I just can't get into it...AT ALL.
Animal Collective I feel like even mentioning their name on this list will have me shunned by the general indie population, like I'll be excommunicated or something. My converse shoes and cardigans confiscated FOREVER. But it must be done, and for that I am sorry...no hate mail please? This band is worshiped by almost all "high brow" rock and indie music magazines "they are so innovative!, they are so experimental!, they are indie rock royalty!" and I hate them. Maybe I am just too backward to understand their unique sound. I belong to a musical dark ages that cannot appreciate "their organic music," but every time I listen to them it just sounds like a mess.
A couple of weeks ago I was scanning the Sunday Styles section of the New York Times and came across an interesting article about "private indie rock concerts" hosted by entitled Los Angeles teenagers in their backyards. I was not sure what to make of the article at the time, but for some reason the story bothered me to no end, so I saved the paper. Basically, the article describes a growing trend of private, intimate concerts in the backyards of the rich and famous, and the increasing popularity to "go indie" as opposed to "mainstream" for Encino, and Beverley Hill's Hollywood spawn. The piece delves deeper into the privilegedteen's obsession for everything indie by talking about their parent's involvements in their musical endeavors, including inviting music producers to the house (these are well connected kids, make no mistake about that) and even copy writing their child's music. I could not help feeling a bit disgusted by what seems to be the new helicopter stage parent, but instead of pressuring their kids to go on American Idol, or go to acting auditions, they are encouraging them to be the next big indie act. The other thing that really nags at my conscience are the private indie rock concerts that are hosted in their backyards, since when did indie music become an exclusive club? The appeal of indie music was the grass roots movement of many musicians to stray from the mainstream and break out on their own, with no help from mommy or daddy, and to gain respect by producing great music, as opposed to having a record producer stroll into their house. I am not saying that these teens are not talented, and I can't make that assumption given the fact that the Times did not mention any of the kids' bands in the article. However, it seems as if the true meaning of "indie" has become lost and muddled. Since when has indie music been associated with the privileged and connected? If these kids are really eager to break into the scene the only way to gain respect is to make it on their own, to perform gigs at local clubs, send mix tapes and EPs out to local record labels (with no knowledge of their famous and powerful parents) and to really try. That means they have to make an effort to have their music heard, to fight for their voice, not allow their parents to do it for them.
The last couple of blog posts I have done have been about my pop music annoyances, guilty pleasures and grievances. So today I decided to go back to my roots, indie music. I know I write plenty about indie music already but I looked at my blog and I felt like it was time for some more obscure music to counteract all the mainstream stuff. So I am going to channel my inner indie snob which has been there throughout middle school and high school and post some "higher brow" music today. Lets have some fun being indie kids:
James Yorkston - Martinmas Time A beautiful, elegant, sample of indie folk that makes me imagine Yorkston singing in a tiny little sea faring community off of Ireland or England for some reason. It sounds like it belongs to another era almost.
Bonde Do Role - Solta O Frango A little bit of M.I.A. tinged flavor with some kuduro mixed in, I really dig the almost old school west coast hip hop beat and chanting.
Wild Beasts - Hooting & Howling You have to wait for the song to build, but the waiting is worth it.
Architecture in Helsinki - Heart it Races My favorite Architecture in Helsinki song ever, besides "its 5!" it just takes me right back to kindergarten...at least that's what I feel like every time I listen to this tune.
Headlights - Cherry Tulips One of my favorite indie bands and one of the most hard working.
Sons & Daughters - Gilt Complex They kick major ass, wouldn't mind seeing them live.
The Metros - Last of the Lookers
Just good vintage rock n' roll.
We Smoke Fags - Eastenders
A jab at all those people "With too much money and not enough intellect."
There is this really cool channel on youtube called orienkorean which actually showcases indie and alternative Korean music. A friend of mine (Emily) and I were tooling around on the internet a couple of months ago and found it, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn it wasn't a contradiction. When I tend to think of Korean music the big companies (SM Entertainment, JYP) come to mind, although they produce some catchy pop music its nice to know there are other music options.
How many of you have already heard that Bat for Lashes has a new album out? After all Natasha Khan was on the cover of Under The Radar, given a cover story in Spin, been on a couple late night TV shows performing....yeah, yeah so this is all old news. However, I have been addicted to her new album...especially late at night. I will go to my basement and blast Daniel, and play it repetitively with some Pearl's Dream mixed in. Once in a while a album comes around that's so good you don't want to listen to anything else for days, and I'm addicted.
My favorite group from my junior year of high school, The Sounds are back with record number three, and with a fresher less dance/pop oriented sound that dominated their sophomore effort "Dying to Say This to You." Although I enjoyed their last effort immensely, I did start to miss the sound of their debut, the raw, "Living in America." Their new single "No One Sleeps when I'm Awake" combines the grandeur power pop songs of their second album with the more punk infused tunes of their debut, and I'm digging it!!
My friends in Toronto have turned me on to a Quebecois singer/songwriter Coeur De Pirate, I really like her sweet take on folk pop. Through her Myspace I also discovered her other group, Pearls. The song featured on their Myspace page "One For Me" sounds like a combination between lofi and shoegaze. They have trapped elements of singer songwriters like Roisin Murphy and Bright Eyes in their hazy maze of trippy indie rock as well as the psychedelic sounds of a mellower Chairlift. http://www.myspace.com/pearlsrules
When I first heard "I'm In Love With a Stripper" by T-Pain I thought it was a joke...until someone told me otherwise. I had stopped listening to pop radio years before so it wasn't like I was up to date on current pop music trends, but the song was so horrible I couldn't believe anyone could ever enjoy listening to it. Then came "Look Back at Me" by Trina, a Lil Kim wannabe who looks more drag queen than hip hop queen. Soon after that desperate call for attention; Soulja Boy came out with two consecutive barftastic hits "Tell em" and "Kiss me through the phone" (I mean seriously are you people deaf???). I had decided that I was done with pop music forever...until LMFAO came along with their new song "I'm In Miami Trick" pop music has officially reached new lows. How can anyone listen to this song, the lyrics, the singing, I thought that it had to be a horrible joke...well the joke is on me I guess. People how can you support this crap???
In other news I will be going away this weekend to a concert with some friends so I will not have any new blog posts until Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully I will be able to post pictures of the bands and other concert related stuff next week!! Cheers!
When I fist heard this group I could of sworn they were from the Southern United States. They combine bluegrass, blues and rockabilly into a indie folk concoction that sounds like something you would hear while train hopping in Tennessee. However they are not from the South, or America for that matter--Oslo Norway is where they reside.
