On Tue, 24 Jan 1995 enok@lysator.liu.se wrote:
quoted 10 lines I listen to techno/ambient music because I wan't to listen to music, not> I listen to techno/ambient music because I wan't to listen to music, not
> political propaganda! I don't understand the parallells between techno and
> punk music that many people talk about, there are huge differences. Punk
> musicians were often very uninterested in improving their music, the important
> thing was the political lyrics. Techno music is the opposite, most tracks
> don't even have texts just pure music, and the artists work really hard with
> finding new ways of expressions in harmony, rythm and sounds.
>
> Please don't let turn techno/ambient political, focus the attention on the
> evolution of the music instead!!!
Personally, I think if the various genres of techno became any more
mindless that they already are, we'd be in real trouble. I see nothing
wrong with an artist's attempt at being socially concious (in fact -
it's a trend i'd like to see more often in this genre.
Too much of what's heard at raves is UN-intelligent 'Beat music',
and too often I will hear from other arists whose main goal is to sound
just like an established style. Meaning, instead of wanting their
own distinctive sound, they'd prefer to fit neatly into a genre (i.e.
Acid, trance, hardtrance, breakbeat, house, happy-house, hardcore, happy
hardcore, gabber, jungle..etc etc.).
It's even more disturbing when their absolute goal is to sound EXACTLY
like what is already on and prmoted by a record label. At this point,
the artist looks to the labels to determine WHICH label's sound they
want to copy and emulate (thus eliminating any chance of individuality,
creating an atmosphere of stagnation and complacency). The DIY concept
or 'fuck all y'all' ethic gets lost somewhere, replaced with a need to
get that 'Big Thump Records' sound.
Getting back to my original point, I could only see it as an
improvement if the artists involved wanted to make this whole genre
just a litle bit smarter. Maybe they could push some radical ideas
like 'peace, love..etc', (the sorta thing I always beleived was the
underlying theme of rave culture anyway.)
And if it also means making things a little bit more 'politcal'..
then so be it.
-implode@ids.net
p.s. I made up 'Big Thup' records (in case you couldn't tell).
Don't go looking for any 'Big Thump' releases at your favorite
local techno shop. ;)