Originally posted by Kysora
Not even that, but why the would anyone view music as a financial gamble? It just astounds me that anyone can approach something artistic and view the options as losing money vs making money. That kind of take on music just really doesn't sit well with me and it seems like it's the only reason there's so much absolute in mainstream American pop music.
Oh come on! Like you wouldn't spend cash (and take a risk) on something you're absolutely dedicated to?
I'm slowly working on a record label thing myself. Problem is this plan will cost 1000s. Not the regular online label crap. Something fresh. Of course this is a gamble and yes a risk too, so why do I do it? For the love of music and the fact that I think I can change how various people and companies (ab)use music. That and I want to be the first in doing what is inside my head right now.
Everything is about losing vs making money in Western society unfortunately. The fact that there is so much mainstream is because there is still money to be made from it.
DJ RANN
I have a slightly unique opinion of this subject as I'm a Brit, living in LA, working in the music industry.
There is a point to say socialist countries (or at öeast those with some form of socialist base in it's society) make better music.
Both the Beatles and Oasis stated if it wasn't for the dole, neither of them could have ever existed, and I reckon the same is true of a 1000 other artists.
In that respect so much of US music is commercial - it's designed to make money as it's primary objective, more so than some other countries, where there is maybe more ability just to have freedom of expression because you know you can sit in your council flat and not get evicted for playing guitar all day as your housing benefit has it covered. I am completely aware these are sweeping generalizations and there is a lot of room for argument with specific genre's but at least when it comes to mainstream music it is fairly true. You then get the issue of upcoming artists hearing that stuff, thinking that's what they should do or at least influencing them in some way.
For example, I see a few people on here saying how can they emulate Sean Tyas, which to me, is some of the most bland formulaic commercial music masquerading as EDM, I've ever heard.
I will say, when I'm in the UK, I hear a lot of US music (albeit a few months behind), but I basically hear nothing of UK music here, apart from major bands that "make it". In some ways I'm quite glad because when I do a little digging and come across the likes of Trinchy Stryder, it reminds me of just how bad so much of UK mainstream music is, even if it's cleverly marketed as "edgey" or "street" or "underground". It's still just crap, disposable music.
EDM was creally created by Americans (and the germans to some degree) and then for many years was mainly ruled by British, German, and Dutch (later French) artists, but these days I don't see anyone really leading in terms of innovation - it's like the EDM industry itself; very disparate and scattered. Some US artists are doing great things, but so are south americans, as are other europeans countries, as well as Australians.
Kysora
I'm obviously not talking about putting money into music if it's a genuine interest, but appealing to trends and being as mainstream as possible to make the most money you can is a completely different situation.
brucelee6783
quote:
Originally posted by cryophonik
It's very interesting to me to read Europeans' opinions of American pop music because not only am I an American, I'm a pop-culture moron. Seriously, I have never seen an episode of American Idol and literally haven't turned on a pop radio station in 10 years or so, so I can't even name a song from Rihanna (although I'm sure I've heard her stuff on commercials, in stores, etc. and just never made the connection). My car's radio doesn't even have any local radio stations programmed into it. So, I guess my point is that, given how easy it is for ME to avoid, it doesn't seem that American pop culture is very pervasive these days, given all the alternate routes of finding music and other art forms, so it's very easy to avoid having it shoved down our throats, which leaves me wondering how accurate other countries' perceptions of American pop culture really are????
I honestly don't know the answer to that and I'm not really arguing that Europeans don't have a clue as to what's going on over here. But, I can definitely say for myself that I don't have much of a clue as to what's popular in the rest of the world. Is American pop music force-fed to you guys?
I REALLY REALLY wish I could say that I share the same experience as you man, I truly do.
However, I cringe at the thought of watching American Idol, and I am definitely a "pop culture moron" as you put it.
It's DEFINITELY shoved down our throats here in America, though. Everything from attending high school pep rallies, to browsing department stores for clothing, to pulling in to eat at your favorite burger drive-in...you cannot avoid hearing it at least somewhat. THERE IS NO ESCAPE.
Like you, I also hardly ever listen to the normal radio stations. The rock stations suck, because apparently all it takes to start a rock station is a collection of 10 greatist hits cds. They play the same crap OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER, all while blaring annoying commercials in between. I don't know what's worse...the music or the commercials! :mad:
I don't listen to the rock station, I DEFINITELY don't listen to the country/rap stations, and on the blue moon that I actually turn on the radio, I hear crap like "Like A G6" and it makes me want to kill myself.
I feel so negative right now. But the reason why is because THERE ARE NO REDEEMING QUALITIES ABOUT AMERICAN RADIO!!!
I could go on and on and on with more in-depth hate towards specific artists, but I'm sure I've made my point clear.
Storyteller
quote:
Originally posted by Kysora
I'm obviously not talking about putting money into music if it's a genuine interest, but appealing to trends and being as mainstream as possible to make the most money you can is a completely different situation.
What if that is the type of music they love and they aim at being succesful at it?
pointPi
Here's a video that you might find interesting:
This proves that musicians shouldn't be profit-driven.
It seems throughout the entire Western Society, there has been this false idea implemented that the larger reward, the better results. I think it has its roots in the industrialization age, when most work was based on raw muscle power.
Rodri Santos
quote:
North Americans invent it, Europeans push it to it's limit, and North Americans ruin what the Europeans have done.
With some nuance this could be the answer.
I think europe has 3 major focus of EDM The Netherlands, Germany and U.K , there are great producers at both sides of the atlantic but i think the ratio of them is higher in europe.
What i hate of the U.S music is that they tend to commercialize everything, hip hop isn't a bad genre ( i like eminem's classy style) but in the US everything spins around gangster vocals and farty basslines too much, european music has more musical values.
Andy28
quote:
Originally posted by DJ RANN
In some ways I'm quite glad because when I do a little digging and come across the likes of Trinchy Stryder, it reminds me of just how bad so much of UK mainstream music is, even if it's cleverly marketed as "edgey" or "street" or "underground". It's still just crap, disposable music.
Aint N-dubz cracked America yet?
You've also got Cheryl Cole heading over your way, reportedly doing X-factor, that will give you something to look forward to :haha:
Seandroid
quote:
Originally posted by Rodri Santos
With some nuance this could be the answer.
I think europe has 3 major focus of EDM The Netherlands, Germany and U.K , there are great producers at both sides of the atlantic but i think the ratio of them is higher in europe.
What i hate of the U.S music is that they tend to commercialize everything, hip hop isn't a bad genre ( i like eminem's classy style) but in the US everything spins around gangster vocals and farty basslines too much, european music has more musical values.
FARTY basslines? It's usually some portamento lead with no bassline, just an 808 with an obnoxiously long tail.
DJ RANN
quote:
Originally posted by Andy28
Aint N-dubz cracked America yet?
You've also got Cheryl Cole heading over your way, reportedly doing X-factor, that will give you something to look forward to :haha:
I know. The last thing I need over here is some scouser WAG on the telly.
Even though I do not underestimate the sheer power that is the 19 management marketing machine (Simon Fuller, Simon Cowell, Nigel Lithgoe, etc) and how much of US (and UK) media they control (own) I'm really not sure it's going to work over here, at least as far as Cheryl is concerned.
Most 'mericans have problems understanding what I say, and I have a pretty well pronounced vernacular, so I have no idea how they are going to understand a word that dribbles from her mouth.
It's so funny, whenever there's someone on US tv with an accent like welsh or a Geordie, they show subtitles! :haha:
Richard Butler
Cheryl represents my ideal body shape but I bet she's not all that in the sack. Good sexist comment eh!
Beatflux
quote:
Originally posted by brucelee6783
Like you, I also hardly ever listen to the normal radio stations. The rock stations suck, because apparently all it takes to start a rock station is a collection of 10 greatist hits cds. They play the same crap OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER, all while blaring annoying commercials in between. I don't know what's worse...the music or the commercials! :mad:
People want to hear that .
I listen to the radio every once in a while, but usually I've already heard what they play several times over like everyone else. People like familiar things, its just human nature.
I think the statistic is something like 90% of self programmed listening is the same 5 albums.
