The State of the (Indie) Nation
September 27th, 2011 | Music | 4 Comments »I’ve been dreadfully lax in maintaining this blog of late — one day, when I’m rich and famous, I’ll pay someone to just do it for me — but I did want to share this post on Flavorwire about the state of the world of indie. I feel I could have argued a couple of the points a little better, but still, I’m pretty happy with it. Have a read here.
Because we’re both in an argumentative mood:
I really dislike the idea that music has to “say something”. Music should not say a damn thing, and nothing is more insipid than poorly reasoned populist rantings (a musician’s thoughts are hardly going to be elitist — there’s not much of an audience in that) are taken as profound.
Music is art; politics is politics. When the they join forces, they sully each other.
Having said that, I’ve always enjoyed a good protest song. Having said that, Dylan came good when he stopped with the politics. Having said that, I doubt I’d have enjoyed Midnight Oil without the message attached to it.
Hmmm, yes, this is one of the areas that my disclaimer applies to – I rather wish I’d put this better, but these are the joys of churning out articles to daily deadlines.
I guess by “say something” I mean make some sort of artistic statement, rather than carry a chest-beatingly literal lyrical message. I find that there is certain pieces of instrumental music, for instance, that most definitely says something to me. What I was getting at (or trying to get at) with the first point is the idea that being in any way earnest or meaningful is something to be sneered at. That annoys the shit out of me – it’s much easier to disparage others’ statements than to make your own.
PS I wouldn’t want to live in a world where you and I agreed on everything. It’s just a shame these discussions can’t be played out over a coffee or a glass of wine at the moment.
Ah yes, earnestness has done its dash in this day and age I’m afraid.
But earnestness is so close to mawkishness — it’s very dangerous territory. Stevie Wonder is the archetypal example of that line being crossed, and it seems that there ain’t no turning back for him.
Melbourne ain’t so bad, is it?
(And to me: Leaving Melbourne for New York wouldn’t be so bad, would it?)
Long may we continue to argue with each other without defamation.