Growing up in the 90s, I had heard conspiracy theories of how digital downloads would soon ruin the industry as a whole. I didn’t quite believe it nor understand how. Little did I know that it wasn’t a conspiracy theory at all.
Now, as much as I agree with struggles involving digital downloads, I sincerely believe there is a much bigger issue behind it all.
When I had worked closely with a label scout I sat in on quite a few meetings and studio sessions with artist soon to become a part of the label. I quickly lost a great deal of respect for labels shortly after.
The members of the label tried to completely change the bands sound to fit what THEY believe is the sound that the fans want to hear.
Did you (the label) pick this band to represent the label solely off of the sound that the band had prior to these recording sessions? YES! So why are you all of a sudden trying to change their sound?!
Words can not express the frustration that was coursing through my veins. Please allow me to explain why.
Go back to the beginning of music; The earliest you can think of. The shining stars were the artist that stepped outside of the box and played what THEY wanted to play and created the sound that THEY wanted the world to hear. Not what the world wanted them to play. Just to keep up with the existing generations here are some examples: Elvis Presley, Billy Haley & The Comets, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Prince, Bob Dylan, and the list goes on.
Notice that you do not see any artist post 80s. This is where digital downloads come into play. Not only are you allowed to buy track by track as opposed to the entire album (this causes the artist and the label to lose money), the labels took the opportunity to follow the amount of online sales in depth thus the label proceeds to convince the up and coming artist that they need to recreate this sounds in order to sell records.
To clarify, I am not “dissing” 90s to present artist. There are few artist that refuse to hop on this bandwagon and follow their own sound this day in age. To those people, I applaud you!
To the artist that conform, I want to present a piece of common logic when it comes to the music industry. YOU are the music maker, the story teller, the one with THE VOICE. People will follow YOU! If you chose to conform to “what the fans want to hear,” you will get played out and people will become tired within a matter of months, if you are lucky, 2 years.
Here is, yet another example: The selfie song. Holy crap people! You have GOT to be kidding me. As opened-minded as I am, especially when it comes to music, I simply can not accept the fact that this has hit the top of the music charts and you people ACTUALLY LIKE IT! Yet, people join in on the bandwagon and purchase and share this song. Why? Because every one else is doing it.
I bring this topic up, not only to the up and coming musician, but for the fan as well. My goal is to open your eyes.
For the musician, USE YOUR VOICE! Stick to your sound, “pay your dues,” put your work into your passion, and share your talent with the world the way YOU want it. You’ll never shine above the rest by turning your work into a carbon copy of every one else’s.
For the fans, snap out of it! You are giving many young women the voice to influence others that freely promotes profanity, “self pleasure” in public, and overall risque behavior to your children. You are also giving young men that same voice who promote practically the same behavior. Let me add on that these pricks also thinks it’s OK to walk around with a piss poor, screw off attitude, treat everyone like garbage, and believes they are better than everyone else.
Let me clarify, what these people do in the privacy of their own home is their business. I do not judge them, but when they broadcast this behavior publicly for the entire world to see is when it becomes a problem.
In conclusion, we have the power to guide this industry back into the right direction. It will take dedication and a patience but it is most certainly do-able.SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!
thegradychronicles 