Music or Lie: The Torture of Rock by Pop & the Media
Music or Lie: The Torture of Rock by Pop & the Media
Week 18 | September 14, 2017
By the Forgotten Woman, JoOnna Silberman
I was going to write about something completely different this week, but something amazing happened and an article floated through my news-feed via Music Radar which was originally featured Billboard, Eric Clapton on Declining Guitar Sales: ‘Maybe The Guitar Is Over’ . I will write on the intended subject matter next week, but this was too good a subject not to write on.
I first posted the piece on our own page and subsequently in 13 groups across Facebook– Who knew what would happen! I posted mainly in Guitar groups, Musicians groups and a few Genre groups. Well in some, it got absolutely no traction at all, but there were several where it did, about 50% of them. The post got over 100 ‘Likes’ or ‘Crying Faces’ and one ‘Angry Face’ so I took that to mean either they agreed or they were sad because they were like-minded. But, the extraordinary thing which doesn’t happen often was that there were more comments than actual ‘reacts’ to the post. Over 300 at the time I wrote this piece and they are still coming; For the record, when I post something it is for substantive value. I engage and I respond. I don’t just sit back for the ‘stats’. Just in case anybody was wondering. The most vocal were “Sheffield Musicians” (since Forgotten Man is in Sheffield, UK as well as Boulder, CO – I wanted to hear from them ) they were also the most profound, intellectual and responsive, which made me happy, but also at the same time the most passionate of the groups (not always in a favorable way). For the most part, mainly civil and extremely educational as well as positive, which outweighed the negative. I highly enjoyed my engagement with them; next “Progressive Rock Community” followed by “Guitar Universe” and of course on our own page at FMP was well engaged. But sad to say I did have to block and ban a few people who were unusually volatile.
I was overwhelmed immediately by responses. Let me address the hate and ignorance first. There was a barrage of responses which were Eric Clapton (EC) hate-o-grams. Using expletives, and abusive one-liners name calling and charging ‘click-bait’. I was amazed at how many people knew EC and could actually attest to who he is as a person to make such claims (LOL). Listen, I remember the 1970’s and what he said, and what happened, but I can honestly say, the majority of respondents that went down that road, have no clue and were not alive during that time. But even if you were. Get over it! BB, Buddy and several other musicians did and if it didn’t bother them, it shouldn’t bother you. They knew the man you didn’t. But most importantly to all of you who missed the point, or better put, didn’t have anything intelligent to say “grow up”, stop deflecting because you have nothing of substance to offer. This post was about the industry, music and a rock icon’s response to the media, whether you agree or disagree. It has validity and should be discussed. And in actuality, as well as, the spirit of fairness, if one read the article, he was asked a question. He didn’t just make a grandiose statement:
“Billboard told Clapton that guitar sales are down, teens are flocking to EDM and music education charities for schools, such as America’s Mr. Holland’s Opus and Canada’s MusiCounts, typically lean toward brass, woodwinds and strings these days. He quipped, “I didn’t realize it was that bad,” laughing. “I’m out of touch. I mean, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know where it’s gonna go either. I think anything that has a natural process will end up where it’s supposed to be. “My kids listen to classic rock, but that may only be because of me, because that’s what I’ve played to them. I mean, from the time of their conception, they’ve been listening to music through the womb. I played them playlists, just brainwashed my kids, and at the back of it was always the guitar or some kind of solo instrument or a singer. My belief in music is it’s all good. It’s all good. Even stuff that doesn’t appear to be so, it’s all good.”
Billboard followed up with stats from June’s Washington Post story that said sales of guitars were down to 1 million a year from 1.5 million, and that major manufacturers (Gibson and Fender) were having financial difficulties, as was Guitar Center.
“I don’t know. Maybe the guitar is over,” Clapton said, laughing again. “Good question though.”
After I weeded out the hate comments and quips, I got actual wonderful responses and was a bit surprised by some of them. This blog will cover some, but not all, because frankly so many different subjects came up, the article could have been a book. Perhaps one day it might be.
Some blame the Guitar Manufacturers themselves for price gauging. While potentially new guitar sales might be down, I don’t believe that reflects the state of the industry or is an indicator of the guitar being over so I say “Nah…anybody can get their hands on a quality used guitar anywhere. One of our partners owns a guitar shop and they make their living selling used guitars, and while they are becoming multi-millionaires anytime soon and sales might be slow, anybody can get their hand on a used guitar” so gauge away, our associate will be very happy for it.
The next group of respondents went-off about my personal comment pointing the finger at the digital age and Autotune and took that to mean, I was defaming digital technology. I would have to say the most indignation came from these folks. The funny thing is, most of them didn’t read the article, because they thought EC had said that, while it was me, and what I meant by it, was not directed at those who use it but those who abuse it, overuse it, and hide behind it. However, it must be noted that I got many that agreed with me as well, and I would have to say that they were in the majority although not quite as verbose. For the record, I believe digital technology can and is complimentary to creating music. However, I will admit that my comment was ambiguous for which I apologize.
“We shared this on our page and got a lot of input and commentary so I wanted to share with the groups to see what the consensus is out there. While I agree that the industry is greatly lacking in musicality, composition over the last decade and some have gotten lazy using electronics to create the music rather than playing it. I am unsure that this monumental and necessary instrument days are numbered…if they are we need to change it…what do you think?” ~ JoOnna Silberman, The Forgotten Woman at Forgotten Man.
My comment was directed at the Labels, Pop, Media and Radio frankly. But I am glad I made it, as ambiguous as it might have been, because it opened-up a beautiful discussion and shared insights. Which I relish and enjoyed and learned from.
First let me say, as with every innovation I embrace it. And I believe that there is a place for digital technology and electronics in all music. Secondly, some jumped on me from the recording side of things. My statement was not made about recording, it was directed at the creation of music. Once that hurdle was passed, came the cries about it being just as creative as playing an instrument, and just as difficult. To that I say, have you ever watched someone play the computer? The next argument is that it is much cheaper to create digitally and is allowing those who cannot afford all the bells and whistles to make music to do so. And after that the sound can be amazing. Please understand, I am paraphrasing all of this, in order to keep this blog to a reasonable length. I invite you to go visit the pages themselves and read if you so desire.
I will start with the fact that music sales are down and the industry is spewing that tours and live performances are the only way to make money right now! Really? Why? Well the answer is multifaceted. First, because the industry is over saturated with music the majority of which is either mediocre or god-awful, therefore disallowing the truly talented musicians to flourish. They get lost! One must dig deep to separate the good from the mountain of bad. Secondly, because of streaming services, and other tools, apps and media, people rip rather than buy music (this is a hint for my next blog by the way) which needs to be dealt with immediately. Third, the majority of radio plays to its advertisers which are their bread and butter, who are the labels. They are pushing pop garbage, which is feeding a herd mentality of youth that has not been exposed to the composition, complexity and/or musicianship of truly good music. So to those of you who argued with me, that it is really what the audience likes and wants. Frankly, they don’t know any better, they have not been exposed and because we allowed it to happen.
The majority of guitar playing is done in three genres Rock, Blues and Classical. Rock and Blues have several different sub-genres and even one genre that combines the two. That said, the ‘We’ of which I speak is mainly Rock and Blues (Classical Music is on its own, but I believe the same applies). But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s get back to ‘Cheap’, in my most “Gumpian” response (Forrest Gump that is) “Cheap is as Cheap does.” Because you can doesn’t mean you should. To get demos out there and to be heard, I agree, but the finished product should and needs to have a sound engineer’s keen senses and abilities. I don’t care how well you learn your digital program. So, while digital innovation is certainly a godsend to the recording industry, I am not so sure about the creativity and performance side of things. There needs to be balance and that includes a world with both digital and instruments. Also, I have heard many try to recreate instruments with digital sound and guess what, it just doesn’t sound the same in many cases. But more importantly, I really don’t want to pay to see someone play the computer.
Here is an example of a piece which Josh Wright of Limit Break graciously gave me permission to use. He posted during an exchange in Sheffield Musicians. My response was this, “Josh Wright – that is a beautiful song, and she has incredible vocals, but to my mind it was too electronic sounding frankly and the physicality of playing was lost…I like the energy created…but it is truly beautiful.” — I will add now, that I think the piece could have been stronger with a guitar and bass to counter the electronics and to compliment the vocals. The high-pitched lingering of sound detracted from her vocals. Also, I was bored to tears watching the performance no matter how beautiful the song was. When I said “I like the energy created” I was referring to the playing of instruments, not the playing during the performance. That was one dimensional. Now one could argue that if it sound good that is all that matters, but if musicians are not making money selling music, then the performance has to ramp up a bit and the energy needs to be present.
There is something profound, magnificent and beautiful about watching a musician play their instrument. The craftsmanship, physicality and expertise it takes to master it and convey a sound live to the masses. You can tell me that pushing buttons and keys is as difficult, but I say to you, “NOT”! And before you say it, I spent almost 20 years in the computer industry marketing software and computer technology, so I know. It is the difference between reading something in a book and actually experiencing it physically with all five senses. The work that goes into it is very different and while the time spent might be similar, to a point, the actuality is that having a machine create the sound is not the same as the hard work of the manual manipulation of an instrument and playing it. Also, being that music sales are down and one needs to perform to make money these days, you better make sure that your performance is something worth watching and the sound can be recreated live and with energy so they have something to watch.
Now, I believe that digital innovation is a positive, and can be complimentary, as well as collaborative. But there needs to be a balance. And no, I do not think the guitar’s days are numbered and I believe it will be around for a long time to come. However, I do think that the state of the mainstream music is lacking; that many modern artists are hiding behind digital alteration, and that it is being overused; that the state of the rock and blues industry is in jeopardy not due to digital technology, because funny enough that is where it is being used properly, wisely and creatively. I also believe that we need to unify and figure out ways to spotlight good new musicians and to figure out how to generate revenue again, as well as investigate a balance which includes playing instruments with the positive aspects of digital technology.
A good example of how the rock industry is using digital technology is portrayed in this documentary “Periphery – Remain Indoors: The Making of Select Difficulty” shared by one of the more verbal members on the Sheffield Musicians page, who at times was a huge resource, but at other times couldn’t let go of my apparent attack of digital technology which was never the case. As I have stated, I believe the rock industry is using it productively. My conflict is that rock is no longer relevant in the mainstream and what is passing for good music is overusing it. As one guy said, which I loved, it only takes one talented kid or band and perhaps that is true, but I don’t think that flies any longer. We’ll see.
Now I can reveal, after all the engagement and interaction. My qualm wasn’t with what Eric said at all or wasn’t even about what he said, it was more about what Billboard said and the questions that they were asking in the first place, as well as their portrayal of the industry. I thought EC was very reasonable and benevolent in his response. Billboard is one of the major culprits in all of this and are following the money train. Music has become more about money then art, and creativity. That I have written about before. Feel free to reread my blog posts they are ripe with my righteous indignation…
All said and done, We would like to figure out how musicians can make money again selling their music and keeping their creative integrity; how to weed out talented musicians from an overly taxed and saturated marketplace; how to make rock and blues relevant again, so the youth of the world set their sights to a more comprehensive and well-rounded bar so they are exposed to more that includes composition, musicality and structure; and finally how to balance the integration of digital technology with the playing of instruments so that one does not go too far in one direction at the expense of the other because we feel that there is value in both.
The masses can only like what they are exposed to and if they are exposed to a large amount of garbage (not all) and have nothing to compare it to, that is what they will like. If you don’t believe me, go to the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and listen (or any Billboard chart for that matter . So I rebuke those of you who say, “If the audience like it, than it is good and doesn’t matter! ” (yes, during this event, that was said to me more than once) The herd mentality especially with the advent of the internet, social media and extreme connectivity has made music more about creative marketing than good music and I believe there has to be a way to change that (said by not only a lyricist and producer but a marketing veteran). I challenge those of you who are like-minded who believe in music as an art, and craft to step up and share ideas and collaborate. FMP is launching One Nation Under Rock the end of this month. A Community for Musicians and Music Professionals. It will be a “Think Tank” and collective meant to come up with ideas, create resources and also create a support system for the rock and blues industry. It is the first step in the initiative with much more to follow. But it is a first step to try to address these issues. If you are interested please inbox Forgotten Man and let us know we will invite you to join upon launching.
Cheers and Thank You for reading,
JoOnna Silberman, The Forgotten Woman at Forgotten Man
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