Originality and snobbery....

Marten Brink (marten.brink@mbox200.swipnet.se)
Wed, 16 Apr 1997 14:46:22 +0200


well, this certainly is starting to get a bit interesting... this is
perhaps the fundamental thing about thinking oneself to belong to an
"underground scene". But well hey, i admit it, i must be the definition
of snobbery here.... it might be awful but its also wery true...

Ive always liked to listen to stuff I dont hear to much. Perhaps thats
one of the reasons I hardly ever listen to the radio, I might be afraid
to hear songs I actually like and therefore stop liking them. To say it
short, sure Oasis is a great band with great material but I hate it,
since Im fed up with it from hearing it alover the place... same goes
for most "mainstream" musicians (as for example JK for that matter...
theese threads sure is connected...)

and that brings us to connect theese discussions with mainstream and
originality. From some posts one might think that theese two cant mix...
and IMO thats a load of crap since weve seen loads of examples that
mainstream work can be original, all in its own way. Take the Stevie
Wonder thing for example or Marvin Gaye if you prefer. Both theese
artists is accounted for as original songwriters/musicians, and they are
both WERY mainstream. Think back to the 60=B4s... is Beatles considered
original? I think most people would say yes to that (I know I would even
though Im not such a big fan). Are Beatles mainstream then? I wouls say
yes for sure, without a doubt.

So, where does one draw the line? In the end this must be highly
individual. Ok, I guess most of us on this ml considers ourselfs "in" to
the music thing. We constantly serch for new materials and sound wich
might appeal to us. Most of the interesting things we find goes
mainstream one day or another, this might more be the case over here in
Europe (thats what I think, but of course its not at all necisarrily the
way it is). For example I counted 8 different swedish commercials with
drum=B4n=B4bass soundtracks last night. That would have been considered a=
n
impossibility only 2 years ago. Acid jazz, easy-listening, r=B4n=B4b,
brit-soul and whatever different "modern" sounds we got is long used in
commercials, radio, "mainstream" clubs and is selling quite well in the
shops. These music styles are long gong new and original, they have been
done over and over again the last couple of years. Spice Girls were
mentioned no? Of course they are original! They are a group of girls
blending sounds and styles that are coming into fashion. Think of it,
its a blend of nicley produced a-j, r=B4n=B4b with a hint of ordinary pla=
in
pop music in it. All in a nice package.. thats as original as the
Jackson 5 in a way, and they sure WERE original back then. Do I like the
Spice Girls? Nope, not more than I like Ace of Bass (guess they should
have looked in the dictonary before naming the band) or Michael Jacksons
solo stuff for that matter, but still, they are all great examples of
mainstream artists who make music that the masses want to hear.=20

So, what do the masses want to hear? I dont think they care to much
acctually (this is not necesarrily bad of course). Many people are just
not that interested in the music in itself but rather just listen to
what they hear, as long as it is not to complicated to understand (read:
lots of old jazz - take SunRa for example - however good and original it
might be). Therefore the mainstream bands try to make music in a way
that might appeal the masses, with intent or not, some succeed. But
still, most musicians seems to look for new influenses and new sounds.
This is where truly original artist tend to make their entrance. Look on
David Bowie, making a partly drum=B4n=B4bass album all of a sudden. Well,
loads of people buy that just because of his name, and not for the music
in itself. So did Bowie invent drum=B4n=B4bass? Of course not, he is not
even original in making the stuff, but still he mangaes to make it more
easily accesible to much more people. And this cant be anything bad, not
in any sense. Some have reasoned that things like this might drop
quality allover the style or gengre wich I beleive is not true at all.
There are still original artists around. Metalheadz keep making nice
drum=B4n=B4bass along with loads of other labels and bands. So who cares
what mr.Bowie does with his spare time? If you dont like it, dont invest
in it :)

To try to conclude: Music will always evolve in one way or another. When
a certain style or sound is getting big it will always, at least partly,
go mainstream and be heard all over. All of us that are truly interested
in new stuff and sound have a burden to bare. We have to "promote" music
we like, buy it, and market it to others. We will probably stop
listening to certain musicians and certain gengres ( I know I have ) but
we will still try to keep in touch with what happens. If this is
snobbery, just to get bored with a certain sound, sure... then Im a
snob, but still I like to find new challenges and new stuff to listen
too - old as well as new. Music is a main part of my life and I dearly
hope Ill never grow tired of it altogether. If part of what I like go
mainstream its good, its a sign that the music still evolves and that
new stuff might be on its way. Just because I dont think its fun to
listen to anymore doesent say its bad, its just my taste that evolves
along with what comes around (and goes around)...

please, fogive me for this crazy mail. Im tired and got to much work on
my hands but couldent resist writing it, but its done in a haste...
still, I think this might be an interesting thing to be aware of for all
the list members - no doubt about it - we are all, just by beeing on
this list, dearly interested and concerned with music. But music is a
business, remember that - all goes mainstream sooner or later (just as
the punk did...)

well, hope someone read it all the way.... if not... peace anyway :)

/marten
marten.brink@mbox200.swipnet.se