Yeah, Gonzi, when I wrote that I was trying to think of an example but
really couldn't. The problem is none of the artists on IDM are big
enough that anyone would notice any corporate manipulation. And once
they get too big, they are no longer PC on the list. (BTW, I have no
problem with hating some music simply because it's popular. Allow people
their political choicemaking, I say.)
The point is only that recording artists don't have to get another break
after they've gottern their first, lucky one. After getting a recording
contract, musicians have record labels and fans to promote them. Even
Squarepusher has people paid to keep him looking good, but maybe his
people aren't as good as Bono's. Nor as numerous or highly paid. And he
(tomj) does have something amazing to contribute.
I would postulate this: Generally, the degree to which a given recording
artist is a monstrous creation of corporate beaurocracy is DIRECTLY
PROPORTIONAL to how many records that artist is likely to sell. This
goes for artists who sell 10,000 records and artists who sell millions.
IDM practicioners are less likely to be guilty of commercialist cynicism
simply because the artist and labels haven't a hope in the world of
appealing to a mass audience anyway.
Don't tell me that Prodigy isn't looking obediently at their new boss
madonna and allowing her to give them some pointers here and there.
They're probably being told what clothes to wear, probably getting
cosmetic surgery (a very very common clause in recording contracts these
days), and probably being told who will remix their songs and whose
songs they should remix.
Beleive me, when AFX becomes popular among the kids he will change. Did
I say "when"? I mean "if" he becomes popular. But that will never
happen.
-Chris Fahey
quoted 26 lines -----Original Message-----
> -----Original Message-----
> From: idm-owner@hyperreal.com [SMTP:idm-owner@hyperreal.com] On Behalf
> Of Gonzi (Fresh)
> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 1997 8:41 PM
> To: idm@hyperreal.com
> Subject: Re: (idm) Re: POP/Bono is SMART???
>
> > > My opinion -- and feel free to tell me why I'm wrong -- is that
> Bono
> > > got lucky early and has paid people to keep him looking good since
> > > then. Yeah, his people sometimes do good work for him. But
> overall?
> > > He just doesn't have anything amazing to contribute.
> > >
> > > Dale
>
> >The same goes for just about any pop star, including many idm
> >musicians.
> >
> >-CF
>
> Errr...how do you work that out then? Can't seem to remember many list
> favorites employing a staff of producers and songwriters to carefully
> craft their sound.
>
> Fresh.