Promoting music online?

[Greg_L]

That's actually an interesting dichotomy in the MTV age. For women, looks do matter at least a little in all genres of music. If you're pretty to look at, you'll sell more records even if you're playing intentionally-unpleasant death metal.
How many female extreme musicians can you name who are at least moderately attractive (even if it's in that "ooh, body modifications" kind of way).
How many can you name who are straight-up homely? I'm guessing the first number is much bigger.

Guys still have a lot more freedom to be ugly than girls. Unless, of course, they play pop. Then they have to be pretty too.

Females in rock or metal don't have to be too attractive. L7 was butt-ugly. Half of The Donnas are pretty cute, the other half are fugly. Kim Deal was flat-out hideous. The chick in the Smashing Pumpkins and White Zombie's bassist were pretty ugly too. The Runaways? Okay, I'd go back in time and hit that. Liz Phair was pretty good looking back in the day. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Guys have it easy. The uglier, the better. The ugliest rock bands are always the best.

 

[Greg_L]

It matters in every venue, not to the same degree, but it still matters.

Everything matters to different degrees. In genres that require musical skill, looks matter little to none.

 

[PDP]

You're going to tell me you can compete with this, talent wise?

Ummm, is this your video ?

I never said I could compete in the mass market, but I dont need excuses for why.

BTW, I could play all kinds of guitar modes and scales in High School, with the metronome cranked, then I realized there was more to music than jerkin off on your instrument. That video will never have wide appeal, because the composition is more generic than the music you hate.

You guys think its so easy to write a fuckin hit. Ask someone like Pete Townsend.

All that negative spew is jealousy, you wish you had a song with mass appeal, and if only reality were different that would make it so.

Tell me who's dreamin.

 

[PDP]

Everything matters to different degrees. In genres that require musical skill, looks matter little to none.

Musical Skill is not the end all, I know of many virtuosos, and people would still rather hear Robert Johnson thump out Crossroads. Is he better? who gives a fuck, music is about enjoyment (for most people) not who plays with the best technique.

 

[Greg_L]

Musical Skill is not the end all, I know of many virtuosos, and people would still rather hear Robert Johnson thump out Crossroads. Is he better? who gives a fuck, music is about enjoyment (for most people) not who plays with the best technique.

You're preaching to the choir. I'm not a technique snob. I shun virtuosity. I am a stickler for actual performances though, and not lip-synced and ghost-written cheese.

Why are you so bitter and angry about this? Why do you think everyone wants to be or should strive to be a pop star or have mass appeal? That's asinine. You're being overly defensive about a shitty genre and shitty "artists".

You can still listen to your Britney CD's though. We won't make fun of you.....much.

 

[PDP]

Why are you so bitter and angry about this? Why do you think everyone wants to be or should strive to be a pop star or have mass appeal?

I dont, all I'm really saying is that you can go down to any Guitar Center and find lots a guys with chops, millions in fact, but where can you find that many good songwriters in any genre? Your naming all artists I dont listen to. If Quincy Jones decided to work with Britney, I might listen. The notion that Pop music is hack is complete bullshit. Hundreds of Pop musicians have great chops, with years of training, (and can sight read)

I'll offer another example,

In his day Eddie Van Halen was considered one of the best if not "the" best shredders in the industry, but had it not been for Ted Templton (who's known for writing pretty faggy Pop tunes) he'd be another little known club guy. Thats fine with you, great, but the fact remains Ted Templton got the go ahead to make the first album.

You can cry about midi all you want, guess what? its not just in music, skills and trades of all kinds are being phased out, for a more efficiant way to do things. I'm just tryin to see the skill in that.

@FoulPhil, I have nothing against you or Death Metal, but chances are I'd probably find the most popular bands in that genre to be the better ones.

Popular doesnt = better, then it sure is a funny coincidence.

 

[Greg_L]

I don't see the coincidence at all. Top-40 radio is garbage. The popular stuff is vapid shit. There's your coincidence, and it all goes right back to the music listening general public being tasteless morons.

 

[fendersk8911]

I don't see the coincidence at all. Top-40 radio is garbage. The popular stuff is vapid shit. There's your coincidence, and it all goes right back to the music listening general public being tasteless morons.

That's an enormous over generalization. There is plenty of good, new, popular music out there. Bon Iver and Tallest Man on Earth come to mind. Don't be so closed minded.

 

[Greg_L]

That's an enormous over generalization. There is plenty of good, new, popular music out there. Bon Iver and Tallest Man on Earth come to mind. Don't be so closed minded.

Dude, don't be so dumb. Stay on track here. That shit aint pop music. That's "indie" acoustic singer/songwriter stuff, which is a whole 'nother realm of suck. My wife listens to that crap. But at least those guys pay attention to songwriting and playing instruments and interesting recording techniques. I don't like that wimpy kind of man-purse hipster music, but I can respect what goes into it. I can't say the same for top-40 radio pop garbage.

P.S. - I am closed-minded, and wear it proudly. I'm sorry if I don't float around grooving like a retard to any shit put in front of me just so I can pretend to be enlightened and open-minded. I'm skeptical, cynical, and if lots of people like something, it can't be any good. Because again, people in general are stupid.

 

[FoulPhil]

Ummm, is this your video ?

I never said I could compete in the mass market, but I dont need excuses for why.

BTW, I could play all kinds of guitar modes and scales in High School, with the metronome cranked, then I realized there was more to music than jerkin off on your instrument. That video will never have wide appeal, because the composition is more generic than the music you hate.

You guys think its so easy to write a fuckin hit. Ask someone like Pete Townsend.

All that negative spew is jealousy, you wish you had a song with mass appeal, and if only reality were different that would make it so.

Tell me who's dreamin.

That's bull shit LOL. "back in high school" back in the glory days when you could do things you can't do now lmao. If you were really so good at it you would of tried to take it to the next level, not considered it jerking off. That's the most stupid thing I've heard from you so far. If you think I'm buying you're bologna, you're wrong. I think you bullshitting me lol...

I don't see how thinking that todays pop music is total shit has anything to do with negative jealousy. A lot of song writers don't preform in bands. So you're mixing up a whole spectrum of "what ifs" to justify your ignorance. Most of today's pop artists don't even write their songs and a lot of them lip sync etc. You're going to tell me they're so great because someone made an image out of them and they sold millions based on false advertising?

By the way that's not my video, it's just some random death metal band. I can't believe you would put Pete Townsend in the same category as lady gaga. It's ridiculous to compare some old fart with Death Metal bands. When Death Metal becomes more accessible which eventually it will and sells a million CDs will you then respect it? Take a look in to Mall Core music which mimics the fuck out of Death Metal. All they did was make it marketable for young teens, just like any other pop music.

Keep it coming old man if nothing else this topic gets real funny

 

[fendersk8911]

Top-40 radio is garbage. The popular stuff is vapid shit.

I see what you're trying to say, but the way you said it is....wrong. I understand you were talking about pop music in the beginning, but not all popular music is of the pop genre. Saying popular music is shit is, like I said earlier, an over generalization.

if lots of people like something, it can't be any good

All I can say is that if you're only disliking things because other people like it, you're missing out on a lot of good music. If you have that attitude, you're just as bad as the people who LIKE music just because others do, and you've got more of a "hipster" attitude than the majority of the people who probably listen to the music I mentioned.

 

[Greg_L]

I see what you're trying to say, but the way you said it is....wrong. I understand you were talking about pop music in the beginning, but not all popular music is of the pop genre. Saying popular music is shit is, like I said earlier, an over generalization.

I didn't say anything wrong if you understood it. Anyway, so what? Pop music is shit. Stereotypes are usually based on truth. So are generalizations. Pop music is commercial, mass produced, and adheres tightly to current musical trends. Indie is popular, but it isn't pop. Metal is popular, but it isn't pop. See what I mean? I'm talking about the Beyonces, J-Lo's, and Katy Perry's of the world. Not Modest Mouse or Bright Eyes or AA Bondy.

All I can say is that if you're only disliking things because other people like it, you're missing out on a lot of good music. If you have that attitude, you're just as bad as the people who LIKE music just because others do, and you've got more of a "hipster" attitude than the majority of the people who probably listen to the music I mentioned.

Bullshit. I'm not new at listening to music. I didn't just discover sound. I'm not missing anything either. I'm hip to what's happening, and I don't like it. I am a proud music snob because I know what I like and what I don't based on many years of listening to music. When masses of stupid people confirm what I already believed to be true, then that's a bonus. I'm okay with that. Like I said, I'm not interested in bouncing around from band to band based on whoever is the hottest or newest. Being open-minded isn't good for anyone if it's not genuine. If you wanna follow along with the crowd and eat whatever is put on your plate, be my guest. There's safety in numbers. Just don't get mad when I laugh at you.

But go ahead, enlighten me on all this "good music" I'm missing out on.

 

[FoulPhil]

Check out one of my bad ass songs, PDP lol

SoundClick artist: eat at phils - page with MP3 music downloads

 

[fendersk8911]

See what I mean? I'm talking about the Beyonces, J-Lo's, and Katy Perry's of the world. Not Modest Mouse or Bright Eyes or AA Bondy.

Wouldn't consider those bands very good, but fair enough.

Like I said, I'm not interested in bouncing around from band to band based on whoever is the hottest or newest. Being open-minded isn't good for anyone if it's not genuine. If you wanna follow along with the crowd and eat whatever is put on your plate, be my guest. There's safety in numbers. Just don't get mad when I laugh at you.

Insinuating that I do? You've no idea what music I listen to, save for the two bands/musicians I named. I suppose our opinions differ on what "popular" constitutes. Not sure where you get off saing that I "eat whatever is put on [my] plate," that is definitely not the case. I'm very particular about the music I listen to. There is music I hate (most), there is music that I respect (music I would never listen to, but I respect what they are doing, perhaps like you with the Bon Iver/Tallest Man kind of thing) and music that I respect and love. That group is very small.

To be honest, I'm starting to think you're just a huge dick who thinks he is underground. With all due respect of course, because you know what you're doing in terms of song writing and recording.

But go ahead, enlighten me on all this "good music" I'm missing out on.

Nothing specific, saying that you're probably missing out on music you would like simply because you view it as popular.

 

[Greg_L]

Insinuating that I do?

Nope. I just worded it that way. I said "you" when I should have said "one", as in: If one wants to follow along with the crowd...... My bad. Internet context and all that jazz.

To be honest, I'm starting to think you're just a huge dick who thinks he is underground. With all due respect of course, because you know what you're doing in terms of song writing and recording.

Thanks, and yeah, I am a huge dick. I don't care. I don't know about "underground" though, whatever that's supposed to mean. I simply have my opinions, and they're usually not very popular, and I'll speak them freely and stand behind what I say. If someone disagrees, it's up to them how to handle it or how to think of me. Again, I couldn't care less.

Nothing specific, saying that you're probably missing out on music you would like simply because you view it as popular.

I'd love to hear some examples. I'm not new at listening to music. I'm reasonably in touch with what's "popular" and happening now though, and I don't like any of it. But if it helps, I can tell what I do like: I like stuff that rocks. Stuff with a dangerous or taboo edge. Simple riffs with funny lyrics. It's gotta have some kind of melody though. It's gotta have a hook. And big guitars and drums. And not be faggy.

 

[fendersk8911]

Nope. I just worded it that way. I said "you" when I should have said "one", as in: If one wants to follow along with the crowd...... My bad. Internet context and all that jazz.

Gotcha.

I simply have my opinions, and they're usually not very popular, and I'll speak them freely and stand behind what I say.

Fair enough. Agree to disagree.

I'd love to hear some examples. I'm not new at listening to music. I'm reasonably in touch with what's "popular" and happening now though, and I don't like any of it. But if it helps, I can tell what I do like: I like stuff that rocks. Stuff with a dangerous or taboo edge. Simple riffs with funny lyrics. It's gotta have some kind of melody though. It's gotta have a hook. And big guitars and drums. And not be faggy.

Very specific...I'll have to think about that. Hm...

.....what was this thread about again?

 

[fendersk8911]

But to be honest I don't think I'll come up with any. With that specific criteria...I think you're right, there really isn't much music like that right now, let alone good music like that.

 

[philter1]

Only to you, you can mandate children to learn classical, Jazz bla, bla,bla, they will still buy based on their own liking. Forcing them will probably make it worse.

Good little discussion this. I disagree with what you say though My idea is valid based on if the kids are taught to expect better than the substandard stuff (ie most of the top 40) then the substandard stuff will disappear because it isn't good enough in the first place so musicians will have to be musicians and songwriters will have to be songwriters. Today's productions are excellent, I'd have to bow to that but the substance (the song itself) often borders on puerile and ultimately insignificant. Mozart was a pop musician in his day, look at the standard his work was at. There's been a succession of dumbing down over the last 20 years or so, a lot of it attributable to MTV where what you look like exceeds your musical skills........ or lack of them. As I said earlier, music is for the ears. That's where the focus needs to be.

"Music should never offend, it should always charm" - Mozart

 

[Greg_L]

But to be honest I don't think I'll come up with any. With that specific criteria...I think you're right, there really isn't much music like that right now, let alone good music like that.

That's why I just do it myself.

 

[fendersk8911]

That's why I just do it myself.

haha for sure. That works