Sometimes having a day job gets in the way of what we had going here. I don’t know how many people read or don’t read, all I know is that I have this music blog and it was one of the most important things in my life for a while…Writing about music in particular.
Then came along the day job–one I am grateful and blessed to have–and there seems to be no time any more.
But I still need someone to tell my thoughts about music, because it is so rare that I come across someone with whom I can actually have a conversation about music.
So I store up these thoughts and they build up and I lament never having posted them at all.
Well…I’m just going to dump it.
On Femme-Fronted Rock Radio Rotation: It really frustrates me that so few female voices make the radio. It does however bring me joy to hear Nico Vega’s “Gravity” on KROQ’s “Locals Only” broadcast. I guess if enough people request it, they’ll play it more, but it’s nice to hear them on the radio even a little.
Rock super group, Dead Weather–conceived by Jack White, fronted by Alison Mosshart–gets played on another local station, but they say “Jack White’s side project…” It makes sense, since Mosshart’s following pale’s in comparison to Jack’s; but would it heart to acknowledge the vocalist? I guess it must be like being the drummer…which is what Jack happens to be for Dead Weather.
On Lady Gaga: At first I wanted to hate her but she makes good pop music. What? She does! Doesn’t your body move despite you turning up your nose? Aren’t they silly and just burrow into your brain? Yeah, yeah, yeah her costumes are over the top, so what. The girl can sing, and she can put on a show. She’s entertaining and talented. That’s just about all I need right there. Mind you…I don’t like that “Love Game (Disco Stick)” song, but I just think the girl knows her audience on that one…aaaaaaand it wasn’t me. Her VMA performance may have been criticized as rough, but for a newcomer, I think she put on a fantastic show. She’s got room to grow, but if she doesn’t fall off in a few years, Gaga could well go through many transitions and be around for much longer than anyone expects.
On Kanye at the VMAs: That was shitty, but its Kanye’s shtick. He makes some douche-bag publicity stunt, people talk about boycotting and what an asshole he is. But notice, no one was talking about the embarrassment Tailor Swift suffered; which is good for Tailor Swift. The flip side of it not being all about Swift? It was all about Kanye. So he got what he wanted, people were talking about it, and there was buzz to support his latest project (which I won’t link, ‘cuz fuck that).
On the Cycle of Music: I watched practically every Fall premier this season (What? You can do that when you don’t watch live TV and you’re vegging out on a Sunday afternoon). It’s been kind of exciting to hear music I was writing about a year ago–up to two years ago even–being used in commercials, movie trailers and on prime time TV shows. The part of me that wants to love underground cringes when I hear The Kills’ “Cheap and Cheerful” in a promo for 90210 and Tilly and the Walls’ “Pot Kettle Black” in a Target promo for the new Anna Sui line, let’s face it though…these are good things for the bands. But seriously, a year for that level of exposure? Didn’t take long for the band with Jack White behind it though; they got in with the series premier of the CW’s Vampire Diaries. Some call it selling out, I call it smart business.
I'm a writer, editor, music nerd, pop culture enthusiast, and opinionated information junkie.
I’m totally with you on the female voices – we hear a lot of paramour here – bleck – there are amazing women singers. And Kanye? Yeah, how is this different from the fuss he caused last year?? Esh! Everyone still talks about him
Rupe has comments:
On Femme-Fronted Radio Rotation: When the quality of the voices come out, they will be heard. Yes … it seems (and always has) there is a proliferation of Cro-Magnons and others screaming and making merry on the radio. But, when those rare moments occur when a “different” voice comes on the airwaves in the form of femaleness, well … how refreshing is that? Rupe frets not for the lack of the fairer sex coming out his speakers … as Rupe knows it will usually be something listenable … and not drivel.
On Lady Gaga: Two words: Poker. Face. How can something that was so gag-worthy on American Idol have become so earworm-wanting a few months later? It is a question to be pondered. And especially by someone who thinks she’s all showwoman and no substance.
On Kanye at the VMAs: Asshat extraordinaire. (Does anything more really need be said?)
On the Cycle of Music: When programs incorporate music into them, as with commercials and other media and marketing, it’s always a delight. Tunes become more sought after. More recognized. More accepted. Especially when they’re heard in the most unexpected of places. You said it: “Some call it sellig out, I call it smart business”.
@Claudia: I actually like Haley’s voice; Paramore is pretty good live. Variety would be nice…
@Ruprecht: You make a great point. The women who do get played on rock radio tend to be some of the best. When it comes to pop music, I’ve developed the “is it entertaining” standard. It doesn’t have to be a great song to be a great pop song because the their target audience of 13-to-24-yr-olds usually doesn’t care about the substance anyway.
Thanks for commenting!