Let's make a few things clear... do I want people to like our music? Yes. Do I want local radio stations to play our music? It would be nice. Do I want local clubs to book the band? Of course. But, none of those things MUST exist for me to do what I do. None of those things must exist to validate the music we write. The dirty truth is once the song is written and out into the world, out of my soul, or out of my heart or mind it's job is done. The rest... the rest is for show. It's all "pomp and circumstance". A rare "pomp and circumstance" that I happen to like.
So this happened today (take a listen):
http://media.965thebuzz.com/a/75770929/local-bands.htm?q=alice+sweet+alice
My response? WHO CARES. Lazlo is doing a job. He's expressing an opinion. But the local music scene takes offense to it. They should laugh it off and keep working. You want the station to like your music and play your songs? That's misguided.
Here's a story that may, at first, seem unrelated. I have a friend that works in a local record store. This store is VERY friendly to local musicians. They stock their records and sell them and basically keep nothing when they sell them. They also play a lot of local music over the store stereo system. On a regular basis, people would come up to the counter and ask who the band was that was playing because they liked it. My friend would be respond, "Oh, that's a local aritst called__________." In his own words, about 90% of the people who asked about the band became disinterested when they found out it was local. Why? because the fact that it was from around here, was a turn off for whatever reason. Instead of exciting someone that they could actually get to know and interact with an artist they like enough to inquire about because they heard the music, they turned away.
This is not Lazlo or 96.5 the Buzz's fault. People just aren't interested. I don't know why, because maybe Kansas City in general just isn't exciting enough for them. Playing songs on a radio station just isn't going to change that. Because it didn't change it at a record store. Local = boring, Yeah, I know, it's not fair. It just is.
Work harder to find your niche. My band The Depth and the Whisper have noticed that the farther away we play from our home in KC, the better the fan reaction. We've some pretty decent success and for the most part are treated better and more fairly thus far in New York than we do here. I don't know why. We play the same music. We are the same people. Just a different environment.
a little ditty not about Jack and Diane
I never wanted to be in a local band. That label seemed limiting to me. I am very happy, and very lucky to play with the people I do. We get to go and meet people. See sights. Make music. Make moments. Make memories. And really, that's what it's all about. Living. Being bold. And loving every minute of it.
I applaud Lazlo for being honest and saying what he really thinks. It's his job. It let's you know what you are up against. No single radio station can really help you. And truthfully, if the person in charge of the local music on that station doesn't like it, she won't play it. And she shouldn't. She's allowed to like her job, isn't she? She isn't there for you or me or anyone else. Let her take the bands she likes under her wing and get them nowhere. It's up to you to go somewhere. It's up to you to do the work. Not them.
Work harder. Write better songs. Get out of town and make your own luck. If you roll in the mud, you're just another pig.
Be better. Be higher. Be bolder. Move on.
Music is life,
Albert
I really didn't want to talk about this much anymore. But, I feel its important for me to clarify this. It appears you have misunderstood the situation at hand. This is not, and never was about Alice Sweet Alice as a band, nor about their music. The band could care less about what Lazlo or anyone else for that matter thinks. We are with you on the fact that we write music for ourselves first. If we gain fans out of it, thats great,we'll appreciate them through and through! If not, its also okay. We know we won't and cannot please everyone. We will continue to do what we love and work to be our best at it, all the same. We are used to rejection, as most musicians are starting out. This was not about us AT ALL! Lazlo brought the band into because it was posted by one band member on a blog site and shared on our twitter account by that member. The post mentioned only that Slimfast had banners of a local radio show at a community event, and questioned, "why?". It was of very few words, and did not mention the band, nor the band's music, nor any concerns with airplay or the lack thereof. Have you read the initial post? We agree with you when you say, "WHO CARES", if he likes our music! We DON'T care! We actually have a lot in common with what you state here for your own band. But, the facts are that we were not out looking for radio support from the buzz, nor upset of the lack thereof. We distanced our music from the buzz many years ago, out of the understanding that we did not 'fit thier format'. Totally understandable!! That is radio, that is life! It doesn't upset us that they do not play us. It is upsetting that they acted out of such disregard towards the community benefit in thier selfish act of sabotage. The event wasn't about the buzz nor the other station. It was about the community coming together to make a difference in the lives of people who really need our community support. We have hearts and our actions go beyond our own personal gain. We cannot answer for all the other people who responded in anger and defense from his "suck it" comment. He's right, its his own opinion and he doesn't have to like any of it! We personally expect no less in regard to that. --Ali kat--
ReplyDeleteHi Ali,
DeleteThanks for commenting. And, no, I didn't misunderstand the situation. Slim Fast stole Alice 102's banners. He posted about it, I commented to him. I think he made much too much of a big deal about it. Lazlo and the gang are really petulant children and their actions should be construed as such.
This blog was NOT about you and/or your band in anyway. As far as I know, you haven't complained at all to these people. I know that Lazlo brought you into it as an example. You don't know this about me, but if it had been about you, I have absolutely no problem using the bands name. You guys were just whipping posts for his tirade.
I don't know you guys. I know of you. And I know you work hard and travel and do all the right things. So, none of these words were pointed in your direction. Believe me. We aren't the buzz's format either. And you know, like you guys, we don't want to be.
The point was and is that there are A HUGE amount of musicians in this town who get bent out of shape when the scene gets called out. They feel entitled and offended when people say "suck it" or "the cultural black hole known as Kansas City". The point was... let them say it. Let them believe it. The local community owes you nothing. No one owes you a chance. Make your chance. Be better. Be bolder. Be brighter. The rest takes care of itself.
I apologize if you think this was pointed at you. The circumstance may have been used, but it wasn't about your or your music AT ALL.
Keep doing what you are doing.