Indiejava BY RTFX
A quick cup of the truth about the independent music
industry, whether you like it, or not.
This mornings brew: Straight black, no cream or sugar.
Yes, boys and girls, net neutrality can be a good thing!
This so-called freedom and ability to speak our minds has come with
little to no-consequence to those who divisively create tension and stress
without knowing the facts. We have become judge and jury with little
to no information as possible. This has been the downfall of society as
a whole. While we strive to gain as much access as possible to find the
truth in any and all situations, we take no responsibility for that infor-
mation once we have obtained it. We weed out whatever we feel in un-
necessary to satisfy our own structured beliefs and thoughts. This is not
unlike the bastardization of the Bible, which has occurred for centuries.
If you think you live in a free society because you have free information,
then your being seriously misled. Trust a person who has been part of
the machine that controls for over 27 years.
Getting back to the music. there once was a value on people going to
music school and perfecting an ability and craft, then making a career out
of what they learned. No different than a welder, or carpenter or teacher.
Are you musically in-
clined and if so, what
instrument do you play?
ARIEL: I grew up being able to try
out different instruments like the piano/
keyboards etc but for me there’s nothing
like playing the drums. Whenever I get a
chance that’s what you’ll find me playing.
I’m not a pro but won’t say its not a dream
of mine ...maybe one day.
Mainstream or indepen-
dent artists, what would
be your dream concert
line-up (3 band line-up)?
ARIEL: That’s a tough question. That’s
like sending a kid into a candy store. Hands
down I could choose any number of up and
coming artists or national groups. The
music scene is saturated with outstanding
high-energy musicians. So my final answer
would be tune into the NRR shows, hear
some new groups and dream. Here’s a few
on my to see list:
Moons Are Many, Coldspell, Dead
By Wednesday, Black Coffee (Columbus
Oh), Joyous Wolf, Hazen, Invidia, Fall Of
Silence, Holy White Hounds, Messer.
Build it...
and they still won’t come
By DJ Pearlman
DJ Pearlman is the writer/singer/guitarist for the hard rock band, REVEL 9. He has a weekly
radio show based on music he’s collected on his iPod called the Hard Rock Lunch Box where he
discusses his life and dealings in and around the scene. It airs Thursdays from NooN to 2PM ES T
In this column, I spend a lot of time And I understand
giving advice to musicians and bands,
and a lot of time highlighting what I think
is right or wrong with the music indus-
try, or at least my little corner of it, and I
spend a lot of time shouting at the rain, be-
cause on some days, I’m just a maniac.
Today, though, I have a question. I run (and
have run) many shows and showcases over
the years because I like to do that. I’m also
pretty good at it (I think) and if I’m building
something that my band and I are going to be
a part of, I’m going to do all I can to make it
a success. And fun. I’ve also played about
100 festivals, conferences and “showcases”
and have seen the “wrong” way to do things,
so I try to not do that wherever possible. That
all being said, I really do run into situations
all the time where I’ll put something together,
that is demonstrably good for the bands that
opt to be a part of it, and yet… so many bands
don’t “opt”.
the basics.
Sometimes logistics is a problem. Getting
an entire band and its equipment to a loca-
tion all at the same time is its own art form.
Sometimes it’s scheduling. Obviously play-
ing just before a big show that you really
need to draw for is probably frowned upon.
Sometimes the gig just isn’t worth it. Any
band that’s done any real work knows that
one. You make the best of it, and build from
it, but yeah. There are some places I just
feel compelled to never play again. But,
there aren’t many.
So here’s the deal
I run an un-
plugged showcase every other month. It’s
on a weeknight between 7:30 and 11. It’s
centrally located and it ALWAYS runs on
time. You only need to bring your acous-
tic – whatever – but all the other gear you
could possibly need is there. There are no
tickets to sell and there is no minimum draw
requirement. It’s also a pay gig. Obviously
the amount depends on “how it goes”, but if
you show up, and you play and you “add” to
the evening… there’s at least few bucks in it
for you. All the monies get split between the
bands, so there’s no middle-man “fees” or
“cuts”. There are also ALWAYS people there.
It’s a long-running series - a few years now -
and people come to just hang out with friends,
laugh, and hear some local area bands. It’ also
really good for low-key networking with other
bands. And there are a dozen other things
really cool about it, but I’d hope you get the
point by now. For me, it’s a sweet-sounding
gig. And no, I probably wouldn’t do it every
time, but I would try and do it often enough.
And yet, I can’t seem to get people (outside of
my most core group of bands/friends) to do it.
And I don’t know why.... So… hit me.
PS: I have a long history of taking suggestions
really well and running with them. So yeah, I’m
serious. What’s the problem here and what could
make it more attractive to the average local band?
And is it even worth doing?
The internet has devalued all of this and destroyed millions of jobs and
changed this world economy, Now, any Joe Schmo can go on YouTube and
learn to play a bass, rendering an entire educational career useless.
Someone recently told me that it’s a good thing that these things are free
and available and that it evens the playing field globally. I’m sorry, but I
want to feel that there is value to music and art again, not just watered down
wanna be’s. Just like in the 70’s and 80’s, I want my inaccessible rock gods.
I want REAL TALENT to rise above it all. A sensation is not a guy getting 3
million views becuase he can smack his head against a wall at 30 mph and
live to tell the tale. I like mystery and anonymity, so we have something to
aspire to again. I don’t want Ace Frehely to be a regular guy. I don’t want
Robert Plant to be a regular guy.
Ariel is a Radio Host on Neue Regel
Radio, every Friday at 12Noon.
Ariels Indepdent Locket is an
Indepdendent radio show on Neue Regel
Radio Every Friday at Noon.
For c omments or questions
Email: [email protected]
Sorry this tastes bitter, but at least it will open your eyes a bit.
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