Anderton Posted February 10, 2001 Share Posted February 10, 2001 There's talk that the boy band thing is waning (I can hear those sighs of relief now). The theory is that the kids who made them big in the first place are getting older, and ready to move on. So what will they move on to? What's going to be the Next Big Thing? Will electronica finally take off? Is U2's return to "authenticity" a harbinger of things to come? Is it time for a blues revival? What about speed garage death metal whaling songs? Will folk music make a comeback? Or will the scene just keep fragmenting until there's nothing left... If you were an A&R person, what kind of band would YOU be looking to sign?!? Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted February 10, 2001 Share Posted February 10, 2001 Craig Anderton said: >>There's talk that the boy band thing is waning (I can hear those sighs of relief now). The theory is that the kids who made them big in the first place are getting older, and ready to move on. So what will they move on to? What's going to be the Next Big Thing? << Who knows? Your theory is probably correct though. Who knows what the next group of 12 year old girls will want - probably, being 12 year old girls, more boy bands. That's been going on for years in one form or another (remember Tony DeFranco, Donny Osmond, Bobby Sherman, et al?) >>Will electronica finally take off? Is U2's return to "authenticity" a harbinger of things to come?<< I don't really see electronica taking off in the US like it has in Europe. As far as U2, let's hope so. And their forray into Electronica didn't pan out like it could have here in the US. >> Is it time for a blues revival?<< There's always room for good blues. We'd need another SRV for that to happen though. SRV - RIP! >> What about speed garage death metal whaling songs? Will folk music make a comeback? Or will the scene just keep fragmenting until there's nothing left...<< That seems the most likely thing to me. >>If you were an A&R person, what kind of band would YOU be looking to sign?!?<< Something that would make my label some money and keep me employed! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif I'd never make it as A&R because I'm too interested in artistic merit, as well as profits, which makes me totally unsuitable to the job. Just my (cynical) opinions. Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddeez Posted February 10, 2001 Share Posted February 10, 2001 i hope half of the world will awaken to this beautiful culture called hiphop with amazin music.... half of it already has.... im lookin forward to the other half... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not Cereal Posted February 10, 2001 Share Posted February 10, 2001 how about giant panda's chew-syncing to prerecorded cd's flying around on magic carpets while doing an advertisement for mcburger fried wendy's. oh wait... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Aragon Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 How about good music without boundaries.... Tom Aragon Tom AragonII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg music Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 quote: Phil O'Keefe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>Will electronica finally take off? Is U2's return to "authenticity" a harbinger of things to come?<< ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I sincerely hope that electronica doesn't take off in the UK either http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/eek.gif However U2 and a return to bands that are able to play and sing (authenticity) would be awesomely welcome....... Simon ...remember there is absolutely no point in talking about someone behind their back unless they get to hear about it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trick fall Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 I just hope the next couple of years are one of those times where the record companies don't know the formula. It seems like this happens every so often and that seems to let some interesting things slip through. I also sincerely hope that we can get more crossover type stuff. I remember when I was first going out to clubs and there was certain songs that would go over no matter what genre the club catered to. I even remember this one great club where the dj would go from Blondie to Public Enemy to Depech Mode to an early house track etc........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbox Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Latin music shows promising signs of being more than just a two-year fad in the U.S. pop scene. There are so many Latinos in America that I'm surprised (except for the language barrier) that this music hasn't taken a permanent niche in the charts. I hope it's here to stay since I'm producing a Latin record soon to be released! I'd be surprised if the boy/girl group that kicked off with Hanson and The Spice Girls has run its course (although it seems those two groups have). Even if its dominance subsides, I think this craze will last at least until all of the Baby Boomers are too old to have kids in puberty. Now as far as what I'd LIKE to see on the charts: bring back Progressive Rock and Jazz Fusion! I miss those genres (especially Gentle Giant!). Enthusiasm powers the world. Craig Anderton's Archiving Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curve Dominant Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 I believe that Latin will stay strong, especially in urban areas, but I'm not referring to the "Latin-lite" of Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. Latin was strong, although not "huge," way before they came around. In the early '90s there was a strong underground resurgence of interest in Bossa Nova, Esquivel, Tito Puente - the real stuff. Lately there have been a lot of great neo-latin CDs released, including the Bossa Brava series, Theivery Corporation, Future Tropic, etc. This will definitely continue, but serving a sophisticated niche of the market. Electronica is not going away, and the creeping momentum of Moby's "Play" is a harbinger of where it's going. Electronica is still young and evolving from the "beep-beep" stages into more fluid and, believe it or not, "organic" sounding territory. In the future, musicians who do not have rudimentary MIDI, sequencing, and sampling skills (or who do not work with those who do) will mostly be relegated to wedding bands and small bars, if they aren't already. World influences will continue to seep into the popular dialects, especially Latin, Middle Eastern and African, and hopefully Asian as well (that pretty much covers the world, eh?). Dance grooves will be de riguer for popular music, and club music and pop music will increasingly sound more and more similar (we're seeing this happening now as well). I also personally believe that a lot of the cynicism we've been seeing over the years in pop music will dissapate and music will become much more romantic, which leads me to the subject of U2's latest... We could have an entire thread dedicated to this CD. It is just a fantastic recording, their best ever, I think, and definitely my personal favorite. It's very romantic and optimistic over-all ("It's A Beautiful Day" - pretty much says it all, yo?). But I don't necessarily believe that it is a return to "roots" rock in the traditional sense. For one thing, it feels and sounds very Euro-contemporary. You should also examine the credits: Brian Eno is virtually the fifth member of this band on this recording, and the electronica is still there. It's just blended into the band's sound more tastefully, rather worn loud like a trend-concoious shtick (although I like those 2 CDs they did that on, and the Pop-Mart tour was a sight to see). Bono is a full-fledged poet by now, exhibiting the same famously Irish humor and dexterity with language as some of his legendary forbears. This is probably the last of the truly great rock bands. I don't see anyone else coming close to what they have. Eric Vincent (ASCAP) www.curvedominant.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Well, the "boy band" thing is far from over. It just runs through a cycle every five or ten years...New Kids, before that, back to any gimmicky band that they can hook teeny bop girls on. Funny how we (me included) jump on the "boy band" case, and yet ignore what I see as an obvious Motown connection. The Jacksons were a boy band. Tons of 'em have been around...and they will continue to be. But, what will be the next big thing be? Anyone's guess...I'm not worried about it, 'cause it won't be where I'm at. It'll be something easily packagable, like disco or techno or something... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semitone Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 I just hope that things go electronic.Groove was a thing that fusion,heavy rock ,etc, didn't care about,but electronic music has it as a first priority,and the people seem to love it.I 'd like to see more bands play along with dj's,or "people-who-control-synths-and-samplers-in-real-time",and improvising a lot.Music should be more of a spiritual and less of a star-system kind of art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fet Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 The over-50s market is grossly underserved with new music. Eventually someone will realize this, and mega-bucks will be made... I'm not talking about new records by older artists; I mean new music specifically targeted to an older audience, which is growing every day... such music will have to be marketed outside the dominant media channels... look at your mom and dad and ask yourself, "What would make them go out and buy a CD of new music?" Then multiply by ___ million... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jraffertyuswest.net Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Hip Hop will fuse with electronica. Electronica has already come and gone, it was a sub-cycle. There is even an automobile called the "detroit techno" yech. I cringe at the notion of it. It was good while it lasted but my most recent musical direction has now been obliterated. It is bad when you hear techno in Fred Meyer's. I have no idea what is next it seems like there isn't alot left. I just hope it has integrity what ever it is. -Josh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 >>The over-50s market is grossly underserved with new music. Eventually someone will realize this, and mega-bucks will be made... I'm not talking about new records by older artists; I mean new music specifically targeted to an older audience, which is growing every day... such music will have to be marketed outside the dominant media channels... look at your mom and dad and ask yourself, "What would make them go out and buy a CD of new music?" Then multiply by ___ million... I hear you, Fet, but let's make that the "over 40" market. It could be new music by older artists, or just plain new music by new artists targeted to that age group. Used to be a lot of stuff was targeted at that age group prior to 1970 or so. "Beautiful music"..."Sinatra"...etc...but, now that the 40 and up age group likes rock and roll, or leans that way, we ought to see a whole budding of styles that cater to more "mature" (for lack of a better word) tastes. I'm with you...new music for old geezers. That's my mission in life... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Originally posted by fet: The over-50s market is grossly underserved with new music. Eventually someone will realize this, and mega-bucks will be made... I'm not talking about new records by older artists; I mean new music specifically targeted to an older audience, which is growing every day... such music will have to be marketed outside the dominant media channels... look at your mom and dad and ask yourself, "What would make them go out and buy a CD of new music?" Then multiply by ___ million... Fet: I have thought about this a lot over the past several years, and while I'd like to hope it will happen (and it yet still may) I really doubt it will. Why? Well, you mentioned the big reason - what will it take to get the older generation to purchase records like they did when they were in high school? And the answer I keep coming back to is "I can't think of anything". True, the over 50 generation is the fastest growing segment of the population, but they just don't buy records like the 12-24 age demographic. Kids in high school get influenced by their peers and their peers expose them to "what's cool" (or whatever the current expression is). If they don't dig it, they're not hip. True, different kids (and circles of friends) are into different things, but the basic principle holds true. The older generations either don't have time (that'll change as they start to retire) or don't get exposed to things that they will like enough to seek out and buy. And for many, the love aof music isn't as great as it once was, or maybe a better way of putting it is that "music isn't as big a part of their lives as it was when they were younger". Nostalga can be a strong motivator, but that's going to mean re-sales of old albums from the past. Occasionally someone new will come along and have the nostalga style that an older person might like, and they'll probably benefit from that. Diana Krall really impressed my parents (and me too, but I have pretty wide ranging tastes), and my brother bought them a CD of hers for Christmas. She's probably the exception. My parents are definitely upper middle class (some would say wealthy) and are both retired. Mom's 57 and Dad's 60. In other words, they're still pretty young, have lots of time and disposable funds and they still tend to purchase very little stuff by new artists. They have pretty broad tastes too, but most of the records they buy now are re-releases of older things. If they're typical, I think that newer artists will have a harder time of finding acceptance since they're going to be competing with Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Platters, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Ella, etc. That's some pretty stiff competition. If there's a way around this, I'd sure like to know about it. It seems that anyone who can find a way to really tap that older demographic will make a fortune, but in all honesty, I just can't see a practical way to do it. Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandonheisemac.com Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Originally posted by fet: The over-50s market is grossly underserved with new music. Eventually someone will realize this, and mega-bucks will be made... I'm not talking about new records by older artists; I mean new music specifically targeted to an older audience, which is growing every day... such music will have to be marketed outside the dominant media channels... look at your mom and dad and ask yourself, "What would make them go out and buy a CD of new music?" Then multiply by ___ million... I think that what you are talking about is "Country Music" Older people seem to like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 A couple more thoughts for Fet and Tedster: Look at the one thing a major record label offers that is the most difficult to accomplish by yourself - exposure and marketing. Marketing is really the key. Identify your market (which we've each already done independently of one another), make a product that "fits" your target market's preferences and tastes, and then target your promotion and marketing directly at your target market. Standard business practice. Take a look at "Mob Hits". Yeah, that one album you see advertised on TV all the time. I think Sinatra is missing from the LP, but Jerry Vale, Dean Martin, Rosemary Clooney, etc are on it. All of it romantic, nostalgic music the over 50 generation grew up with. Do you guys have any idea how many copies of that thing has been sold? I'd have to check the actual figures, but I believe it's gone platinum. It's sold like crazy. And the marketing approach was brilliant. Targeted TV ads with a nice "catchy" double meaning title to catch the listener's ear. Plus, it's all old stuff that they're already familiar with - all hits, little or no fluff or "throwaways". Remember, a lot of seniors are on fixed incomes, so getting that album is a better value for many, because they get all the hits in one package, instead of having to purchase 20 albums and only liking two songs or so on each. New stuff is really going to have a hard time competing with the Ktel packages of the world. Hey, I'm 38 and like a lot of newer stuff, but I'd really like to see some new stuff along the lines of what was popular in the 60's and 70's(when I was young), and maybe it will happen. I just don't see it becoming the major player in the music business without massive label support, and THAT'S not likely to happen without the biz seeing major dollar signs that surpass those they can make by investing in records designed to appeal to the major record buying market of the 12 -24 year olds. Not that you can't make money on it, but it's not going to be the "next big thing". Just my opinions. YMMV. Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com This message has been edited by pokeefe777@msn.com on 02-11-2001 at 12:52 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted February 11, 2001 Author Share Posted February 11, 2001 >>If there's a way around this, I'd sure like to know about it. It seems that anyone who can find a way to really tap that older demographic will make a fortune, but in all honesty, I just can't see a practical way to do it.<< Me neither. At that point, I think people are more inclined to spend their money on a vacation condo, or trips to the places they didn't get to see when they had kids, a boat, that sort of thing. I don't know why, but music seems to lose its vitality to some (and I emphasize SOME) people as they get older. They'll play the music they liked, but they lose track of what's happening, so they lose their frame of reference. By that I mean that music is a continuum. If you were into Chuck Berry, then the Stones made sense. If you were into the Stones, then the punk movement made sense. If you were into the punk movement, then Trent Reznor made sense. But if someone into Chuck Berry got stranded in space and returned to find Trent Reznor playing, it wouldn't make sense. I think a lot of older people just get disconnected and don't have any real incentive to re-connect. You can't appeal to them with re-runs of what they've heard before - by definition, they've heard it all before - and they can't cope with the latest trends. Stalemate. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrbreez Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 >>>... I'm not talking about new records by older artists; I mean new music specifically targeted to an older audience, which is growing every day...<<< You know I think this is one of the few things that hasn't been tried. There are probably alot of people in their 40s or 50s with a head full of songs. Put a fire under those ladies in menopause. Buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Originally posted by Anderton: So what will they move on to? What's going to be the Next Big Thing? Whatever "They" decide will be the Next Big Thing. Electronica has already happened - it *is* happening, the market is just so fractionalized compared to the way things were 10 years ago you just can't tell. Not only that, but as the population increases market share doesn't. What's left over after the bubble-gum fraction is significant, and I think labels are missing that point. Just because 20 years ago a secondary genre didn't have enough people to support a release doesn't hold true today. It's all market share - bands are being dropped that sell tens of thousands - or even more - records just because in the Big Picture it's not a large percentage. The real question should be "What will the major labels decide that the Largest Common Denominator Record Buying Fraction will be willing to scarf up next?". It depends on their propaganda. Being the conspiracy-minded person I am, I personally think we've seen the return on the teeny-bopper fabricated "band" due to the majors realization that it's an easy high-margin gambit. I think fabricated bands are here to stay for a long while - tis' an outgrowth of the bulk-signing shotgun effect that started with metal in the 80's. This is even easier: keep the populace in a mode that's will to not care about content over style. So I don't know what the "Next Big Thing" is, but I would be it's going to be fabricated for the most part. Hmm. Actually, I think a cross between what's going on in the CCR market and the Mexican music industry is probably a good model. ill electronica finally take off? Is U2's return to "authenticity" a Things are so fractionalized now that to some people U2 would be considered "The Biggest Band on the Planet" right now, while others may only be obliquely aware of them. It's no longer "rock/country/everything else" any more. Is it time for a blues revival? Oh pleese oh pleese oh pleese I'm ready for that pleese pleese pleese... Hmph. If blues came back today, it would be in the form of some trend-bots mimicking one or two particular bluesmen in a very superficial and derivative way. It wouldn't be blues, it would be "blues". comeback? Or will the scene just keep fragmenting until there's nothing left... The future is a William Gibson novel.... If you were an A&R person, what kind of band would YOU be looking to sign?!? That's an interesting thought. Does it matter? I would think I would look for the most fashion savvy people I could find. They would be totally pliant to being produced, hopefully held on retainer indefinitely until it would appear they can scoot into a niche. There's an endless supply of such people.... Poor and hungry. Music whores: they only have to be able to do the Meg Ryan effect musically. People are not listening anymore, record labels know that, it doesn't matter - they only have to look exactly right and be playing with the proper attributes of the far side of the present curve. Easy. Actually, I would think A&R guys these days probably function more like an NBA scout than anything else... labels have writers/producers ready to act as a team when provided the right "package". Hmm... really, if you breakdown what is happening now to styles based on producers, things make a lot more sense. You have your Brendan O'Brien market, for instance. There's the audience for Flood produced things. In other words, there's more commonality based on producers these days than artists. The producer is the "lasting artist" these days, allowed to have an arc to his career where previously the musician had a few records to develop things. As an A&R guy I would be looking to sign maybe an engineer that has their ear to the next trendy sound moreso almost than a musician or a group or musicians. But in the words of Miles Copeland - "I'm just a peasant, man....". http://www.mp3.com/chipmcdonald Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Chip McDonald said: >>...as the population increases market share doesn't. What's left over after the bubble-gum fraction is significant, and I think labels are missing that point. Just because 20 years ago a secondary genre didn't have enough people to support a release doesn't hold true today. It's all market share - bands are being dropped that sell tens of thousands - or even more - records just because in the Big Picture it's not a large percentage.<< So what's the solution here Chip? May I suggest that those bands that can sell units in the 5 and six figures *have* a following, and maybe they should capitalize on that? If a label won't release it, then do it yourself. I think the key here is that budgets have just gotten absolutely silly. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif Sure, it's difficult to make money and recoup if you have half a million invested (as most major label projects do these days) but come one - I thought we lived in the middle of the "project studio revolution". With proper care and craftsmanship, good records can be done for considerably less than the majors are doing it for. Release it on a smaller label or independently (by yourself) and keep the costs down. If you already have a market of that size, then selling units and making a profit shouldn't be *that* hard to do. >>The real question should be "What will the major labels decide that the Largest Common Denominator Record Buying Fraction will be willing to scarf up next?". It depends on their propaganda.<< There's a lot of truth in that statement. Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Ever since "video killed the radio star", the possiblity of there being a single "next big thing" has continued to diminish, largely for environmental reasons. Compare being baked into a state of utter attentivness, deep in a womb chair with some basketball-sized headphones as your umbilical to the mother of all hi-fi systems with sitting on the couch, eating popcorn, "listening" to music coming out of a tiny mono speaker every once in a while between advertisements which are ever more difficult to distinguish from the videos and vice-versa- is it any wonder that in one world, the big thing was Dark Side of the Moon and in the other Human League? Now we have a dichotomy which may prove to be even greater- .mp3s downloaded from the Internet, edited at home and loaded by the hundred into portable players, listened to while rollerblading, and surround-sound systems requiring not only a sizable investment, but dedicated physical space in the home and - most importantly- necessitating sitting more or less in one place to really hear what's going on. The divide between hearing-music and listening-music has once again dramatically increased. For hearing music, it is inevitable that the family of Max Headroom/Ana Nova/Lara Croft will give birth to virtual stars. Hell, when you've already got marionettes (high five to the cynical genius that shamelessly flaunted that metaphor in regards to a recent boy-band), why not just cut to the chase? For listening music, great things are in store. DVD remastered reissues of golden oldies and classics will rekindle respect for real musicians and there will be a great opportunity for new musicians to make music for a listening audience, rather than being at the mercy of a hearing audience. Cameron Bobro Anyway, that's my take. For a more practical viewpoint on the ever-present realities of music, I must quote my partner Bernarda, who insisted that I dig into the studio fund to take advantage of a 1/2 price sale on a leather coat- "What the hell good does it do to have a new pre-amp if you don't look swanky?" http://www.mp3.com/Kosmolith This message has been edited by dadabobro@yahoo.com on 02-11-2001 at 05:55 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Well well well, I think minimalism has gone way too far. Its amazing how far someone can get without even using a flatted 7th let alone a tritone. Its gone from a reaction against stagnant ideas to an open door for marginally talented oportunists. I agree electronica is stagnant, but Id say its that way because there ISNT that bleep music around as much. Now people are using the same cliche's they always have because its pop. I think the whole techno/trance thing is cool to dance to, and maybe a handful of guys put out good albums but otherwise its just so cliche. Im more into aphex twin(god less him) or amon tobin. Stuff like the art of noise is cool to me also. Interesting that jazz fusion is mentioned. electronica started with guys like herbie hancock. Listen to his albums sextant and headhunters, not to mention miles' albums on the corner and big fun. I think the chemical brothers and squarepusher and many others have spent long hours absorbing jazz and funk. A term ive heard in association with squarepusher is "reverse engineering" So what I ask is why does "electronica" have to be sequenced? Id like to see intelligent musicians who can compose and improvise use the sounds and formulas of "electronica" as a point of departure towards newer territory. Listening to the older folks like robert fripp and king crimson on stuff like thrak attack, and the project series, and some of medeski martin and woods stuff makes me think.hmmmm.. what if that fluidity of mastery could be employed using the sounds of electronica but done in style? guys like eric trufaz, and isotope 217 are doing stuff like this and its interesting. Listening to some of david s. wares(not electronic in the slightest) stuff its enlightening how they use the minimalism as reference points and axis points for polyrythm and 12 note improv. So, live electronica anybody? I think the tools are now here to pull it off. If an ensemble like tortoise could plug into the right equipment they could do anything that orbital has done.And then they could take it further in the heat of the moment. As for pop? I think right along with the teeny boppers you have their trenchcoat mafia siblings. So I also wonder if the "new metal" thing is fading. Life without limp bizkit would be nice, though I dont think the deftones are too shabby. I imagine theyll have more sticking power even though theyre less popular. As teen pop has grown in popularity so have groups like tool and korn. And for r and b. I think timbaland and that thing was cool, but when I hear the latest singles from groups like destinies child and jennifer lopez I cant help but feel that whole bag is tired. Its time for chord progressions goddamnit. It would be cool if with those unconventional beats guys would throw in unconventional key modulations and chord substitutions. Its that damn swizz beats sound, I dont care for it. the 3 notes on synth stuff. If those types of beats could be fitted with something more brash, perhaps chords that instead of aping a major scale like conventional pop would stray into diminished territories.That may be too much for the kiddies, but if it was ill enough you could get those heavy metal kids listening to a- tonal synth pop.unlikely.. back to the drawing board.... I like eryca badu though... uh..... I wonder if jam bands like phish, or maybe even classical and jazz variations could pick up steam? unlikely. Maybe more white rappers? Well hip hop has definately gone pop. I see some of the underground abstract hip hop as almost post-post modern. Its like a commentary on old school hip hop, Id hate to say even retro.. I think there is a little rumble in the hip hop underground now watch out for guys like aesop rock and slug(from your truly's home of minneapolis). Even guys like mos def are fairly well known as are the roots. I think since a certain point where the music industry turned into giant corporations pop music has stayed the same. All thats happened is people get different haircuts and the taylor cuts the trousers differently. If napster or some other entity sends the industry tumbling in flames(unlikely) it may lead to better music. Theres too many guys with blue sports coats, pony tails and runny noses in the industry for good music to reach the masses. Its all so dummied down. Once upon a time duke ellington, or even pink floyd was popular music. Now it seems this is like a bad joke whats on the radio. We live in strange times. Its tyranny of the lowest denominater. everything is so marketed to imbeciles with no taste what so ever. Its amazing how little good music comes from major record labels. And the guys with talent who get sucked in end up dummying down their work to appease the masses(or is that save their arses?). the result of this is were leaving a sorry legacy for future generations.Oh well, we all gotta eat. The problem is not derivitave pop music, its that this crap has pushed art music off the airwaves. I hope the internet will give fringe artists a global market big enough to make their work more appealing businesswise. theres room for the simple music, but theres no place for musicians like a bartok to take the sounds of the people and elevate them with genious.As far as fusion, all music thats ever existed is fusion. when it ceases to be this and becomes traditrional its dead imho. Jazz started as a fusion of ragtime, the blues, marching band music, new york and new orleans. Listen to frank zappa or pink floyd. Anything different is a fusion. There are all these brilliant musicians caught in this traditionalist trap while guys that can barely play a scale are taking all the chances. If all these guys with degrees in music playing bop changes could take the sounds of the chemical brothers and orbital and work from that context it would be something new imho. Pop shlop. the backstreet boys will just grow beards and hire new production and that will be the next big thing. Theres definately an art and craft to it, but its like being a writer for "growing pains" or "married with children", not the same as james joyce or william faulkner but its that stuff that gets all the attention. As pete townsend pointed out(to paraphrase).The art of it is mostly to do with creating this big spectacle.It doesnt have to be good, just big Oh well, Ill stop rambling and listen to some merzbow till the seething subsides. Im tellin ya, 20 years from now david s. ware records will still sound good(though most people wouldnt get it even then). 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alphajerk Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 im going to keep this short as i've grown tired of reading long posts. the next big thing WONT be soundreplaced, autotuned, sequenced, vocaligned homogonized bullshit. it will be raw and it will be real. and it WONT be done by FLOOD, what a stupid name... as stupid as the guy named Machine. their shit sucks too. alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmstudio99 Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Aren't we about due for an 80's revival? Paul Gila Monster Studio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphajerk Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 we've BEEN in an 80's revival. girls are even wearing jordashe jeans. alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Originally posted by pokeefe777@msn.com: So what's the solution here Chip? The solution to my position is that the industry has to rethink how it structures itself. Instead of thinking "top 10 act, everything else" it needs to think more in a shade of gradation. I suppose the old guard that still runs all the majors just don't realize how much profit they're missing by not taking advantage more of some of the following genres: Neo-hippie (VERY big market.. oh well) Electronica (Moby with Gwen Steffani doesn't count) Fusion (yes, fusion; in fact, the people I know that regularly buy the most CD's are fusion fans. Everyone else just buys a couple of things a year. Not only that - but fusion fans tend to want the best sound possible; hence, they're more loyal to buying a hard copy...) The neo-lounge jazz scene Old school metal; a lot of kids listen to Iron Maiden, AC/DC, etc... Classic rock: the people that were originally into this STILL ARE, and are still living and actually in a better position to buy records! Not only that, but there are kids now that listen to it exclusively: tastes are *no longer bounded by age*!. Tastes are *no longer bounded by age*!. *THAT* is what the industry doesn't have a clue about these days... figures *have* a following, and maybe they should capitalize on that? I would say Phish is probably as big as Dave Matthews right now. Never have been on the radio. YET - they sell out huge shows everywhere. "!!?!?!?!" If a label won't release it, then do it yourself. The problem is legitimate avenues of distribution. That's what they fear from MP3.com I think, moreso than mere bootlegging. silly. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif Sure, it's difficult to make money and recoup if you have half a million invested (as most major label projects do these days) Yeah, but for a lot artists these days it's arranged that the label gets the priority on recouping costs, even if the artist has to find another way to do it.... I know a number of guys that have "had their shot" with national bands that are still paying for their record. http://www.mp3.com/chipmcdonald Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Atack Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 alphajerk wrote: the next big thing WONT be soundreplaced, autotuned, sequenced, vocaligned homogonized bullshit. it will be raw and it will be real. DAMN alpha I sure hope you're right. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Worthington Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 Originally posted by planr411@earthlink.net: So what I ask is why does "electronica" have to be sequenced? Check out Material's album Halucination Engine. One of my favorites. jw Affiliations: Jambé Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2001 Share Posted February 11, 2001 more observation than prediction: As modern society becomes more inundated with slick, mass-produced, computer generated/enhanced products of all types (furniture, cars, music,clothing etc.) there may come a renewed appreciation for "handmade" items, where the subtle imperfections are cherished as "unique" characteristics. Musically this might lead to a resurgence in all types of "roots" music and live performances without backing tracks and special effects. For recorded music, the subtle imperfections of a performance might create more tension and emotion if left in place (you can feel them really "going for it") and not pitched and edited into perfection/sterility. It seemed like the "punk" and "grunge" styles were a direct reaction to the slick, highly produced and homogenized arena rock style. I see more hiphop artists with real bands behind them now also. "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" in music also? maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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