I agree with you on your complaint that Keyboard has a bias
against IDM/techno artists . . . However, I can kind of see your point of
view. Most keyboardists hold techno in disdain because they view it as
"no-brain-no-talent" music (as most of the music/piano performance majors
at my former school would tell you) because they generally have very
rigid definitions of the words "artist" and "producer," and classify
techno as being made by a "producer." To a certain extent, that's
correct. Look at The Orb: A producer and an engineer. To be an
"artist," one must be able to play an instrument 'sussed' so to speak -
none of this MIDI sequencing to cheat on keyboard lines.
To a certain extent, I'll agree . . . tracks like "Sesame's
Treet" are PRODUCED. Even worse, there's the over abundance of REALLY
bad "rave" music. To someone who CAN play keyboards (which I can), it's
pretty frustrating to have no-talents punching in a few patterns of
cheeze and having it put out, when you can't even afford to get
equipment.
However, I think I'm lucky to have also trained for a few
years as a recording engineer, and later project producer. That's
probably where I begin to understand the sheer effort and artistry that
is involved in these jobs . . . Most "artists" don't understand how vital
a good producer is to having a good track. That's probably the key to why
I like (certain) techno so much, and why I (even with my limited means)
choose to make it . . . Because I understand and can appreciate
production values that other musicians may not; for example, how many of
you are blown away just by particular timbres and effects within a
track, more so than the rhythm and melody? That's most of ambient music
right there, isn't it? Perhaps it's just that musicians (read: most
Keyboard readers and most of their editors) refuse to bend their
definitions of these roles, despite the proof given to them by certain
producers over the past 20 years (George Martin, Brian Eno, Rupert Hine,
quite a few others).
Now, the thing that perplexes me is this old issue I have that
has a cover story on MC Hammer's producer and this other I have with the
keyboardist from Jesus Jones (whose sole claim to fame is that he jumps
around with his keyboard on stage) . . . :) Anyway, enough of my
rambling. After all, what do I know? I don't really hang out with
musicians! :)
Orpheus23 - orpheus@knuth.mtsu.edu
1701 Beechwood Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212-5501