MOTM

On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 8:31 PM, thomas white <djthomaswhite@...> wrote:
> Man-o-man,
>
> Big-ol-RANT (at work with time to spare, be
> forewarned) People are getting way too critical of
> this subject. This discussion on real music versus
> crap music has got me thinking (scary). Having a
> modular does not imply one is automatically a musical
> genius. Some of us appreciate the science involved.
> Some like to take things apart and put them back
> together. Other appreciate the art of the build. Some
> like bug sounds. Some like to mess with 120V and be
> happy not to get shocked to death. So what? Not
> everyone is trying to invent the next type of
> synthesis, nor for that matter is everyone trying to
> out-create previous works. The past is the past,
> present is present, future is future. What emphasis we
> put on each decides much of the outcome.
>
> Art, like music, is kind of touchy. People (emotional
> wretches) are the factor that lend to this fact. In my
> passing years, I often find nothing is ever as good
> the second time as the first time. Music will never be
> what it was when I was younger. (Not your younger
> either... *my younger* the crappy eighties). There
> will never be another Prog-rock explosion or 60's love
> fest, or disco for that matter. Clothes will never
> make sense like they did when I cared about fashion.
> Food never tastes the same as the first time.
>
> Certainly the world changes and perspectives change. I
> agree about the comments regarding the "music business
> corporate humdrum" stuff. But, thanks to MySpace,
> youtube, the Internet as a whole, and other forms of
> media pollution, there is a lot of crap out there for
> us to wade through. This crap is not new. There have
> always been shitty bands with shitty demo tapes and
> stupid ideas in the eyes others. We are judgemental
> beings after all. The main difference being that those
> demo tapes are now public and available for all to
> listen to. This does not necessarily mean music has
> gotten any worse... just more "exposed". After all,
> art is 100% in the eyes of the beholder. Are we the
> ones with the jaded opinions due to the increasing
> pressures of life? Are we out of touch with what is
> relevant musically (artistically)? Or is music
> actually worse? Well, I think the answer is yes to all
> of these questions depending on where you stand at
> this point in time.
>
> With the mass exposure, we forget there are some gems
> in the midst of the crap. Those gems are not on major
> labels and require digging. It will only get worse.
> Music is starting to be made on cell phones and other
> crappy media devices. What does that spell for the
> long run? Nothing us old farts will appreciate I am
> sure.
>
> My Grandfather was none too nice to me for not making
> music he appreciated from his own point of view. He
> told me I was lazy and not an artist. I never forgot
> this, and still disagree to this day. Too many people
> are the same old Roland, Korg, blah blah company
> people which is very similar to the corporate music
> industry. Anyone building and experimenting with
> modular, regardless of making mind-blowing
> compositions or not, is an artist IMHO. Here's an
> example: Is the Yamaha Tenori-On a "toy" or a unique
> new way to think about music? Both maybe. Here are
> some quotes I try to remember when thinking msuic is
> crap, but reminding my self to be thankful there are
> creative people trying to do something risky at all...
>
> We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that
> makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is
> given us to understand. The artist must know the
> manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness
> of his lies. ~Pablo Picasso
>
> Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art
> is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams
>
> Every child is an artist. The problem is how to
> remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso
>
> Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds
> you that you have one. ~Stella Adler
>
> Whatever your perspective you will agree or disagree
> with statements I have made here today. I make crap
> music, or I make beautiful noise. I make a mockery of
> myself, or I take a risk. I pay tribute to old
> technology, or I try to reinvent the past. I am not
> sure what people think, nor do I particularly care.
> All artists are typically misunderstood till after
> death. Sad right? My voice is my own, and people can
> change the channel if they don't like it. Thoughts?
>
> Thomas
>
> Thomas White
> Natural Rhythm
> www.naturalrhythmmusic.com
>
>