[23rd consult]

[dr_conscience]

Business. Industry.

The fact that these words are associated with music is a shame, isn't it?

Music was created to express thought, feeling, convey an experience, capture an emotion -- to communicate on a level deeper than words alone.

Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic that some artists are lucky enough to have the chance to make an actual living off of their work, but money shouldn't be the reason to do this. The reason you make music is because you have something you need to express, some deep, human urge to convey an abstract concept in an appealing, creative way. It's because you need to.

Things just ought to be less about the artist's image and more about the artist's art, don't you think? What they're wearing, how their hair's done, who they're seen with, and whatever other gossip you can dig up aside, the worth a musician should be measured in terms of their music.

Well. I'll be in the park for a while, if anyone feels inclined to drop by and improvise some collaboration.

Comments

old fart = her father lol

[thenormalsquint]

I know this old fart who definitely does it for the love. That's not to say that he hated the money part because it paid off a certain somebody's college tuition and padded his gun and car collection, but he wouldn't keep it up if he didn't love it.

He'd agree with you if you were here. He'd also call you a damn crybaby hippie while he was at it, but he'd agree.

haaaaah XD

[dr_conscience]

Somebody's college tuition, huh?

For the record, there's nothing wrong with making money doing what you love; nothing wrong with making a lot of money doing it, even. Thing is, it seems less and less like it's about love these days. Whole industry seems hollow.

Guess that does make me a crybaby hippie.

[thenormalsquint]

Well, you know. He made a kid. He had to take care of his baby girl.

I didn't say you were wrong. I'm just saying he wouldn't make it sound so... fluffy.

[dr_conscience]

Well, of course.

I... might have kind of a bad habit of phrasing things on the fluffy side of things.

[didntscrewup.livejournal.com]

Style isn't art anymore? Wow, guess I missed that memo.

[dr_conscience]

If you're supposed to be a musician, style's usually more of a tactic to distract from the fact that you're not very good.

[didntscrewup.livejournal.com]

No. Music's the place where style and substance can converge. You want to tell Bowie he wasn't very good in the 70s? If you're a musician and you don't care about your image, it's usually more of a tactic to distract from the fact you don't look very good.

[dr_conscience]

Bowie's hardly comparable to a musician these days. You can't honestly be taking the artistic concept of say, Ziggy Stardust, from your own example, and comparing that to someone wearing next to nothing for no reason other than to sell more merchandise. There's a difference between an artist coming up with their own image and their label assigning it to them as a business tactic.

[dr_conscience]

Bowie's hardly comparable to a musician these days. You can't honestly be taking the artistic concept of say, Ziggy Stardust, from your own example, and comparing that to someone wearing next to nothing for no reason other than to sell more merchandise. There's a difference between an artist coming up with their own image and their label assigning it to them as a business tactic.

[bufferprincess.livejournal.com]

Sounds good to me.

[dr_conscience]

Well, alright, nothing better than some music except music with company, right?

Oh; hey, I'm Jimmy, by the way.

[bufferprincess.livejournal.com]

Hey Jimmy. I'm Di Di.

You can join me at the fountain if you want. Some people are dancing too.

[dr_conscience]

Nice to meet you, Di Di.

I'd be happy to join in, that sounds like a good time.

[absinthe-eyed.livejournal.com]

Thank you for not being a shallow, image-obsessed music icon. I was losing faith in musicians.

[dr_conscience]

Frankly, I feel bad for most of them. Sucked up in promises of doing what they love and the next thing they know, they're just another pre-packaged product. It's good to know there are some of us left who actually care about music for the sake of the music.

[absinthe-eyed.livejournal.com]

Some of them are hard to feel sorry for.

What kind of music do you play?

[dr_conscience]

It'll be easier in a few years when everyone's abandoned them for the next big thing.

A variety, really. More towards the alternative rock side of the spectrum, but I never mind trying out a new style, really. How about you?

[as_damaged]

How idealistic.

[dr_conscience]

Careful. That's a dirty word around here, apparently.

[as_damaged]

That depends who you're talking to.

[dr_conscience]

I guess so. I think I've heard it thrown around as an insult too often.

[had_not_lived]

What do you play?

[dr_conscience]

Well, guitar, primarily. Style-wise, I have to admit, I'm rather all over the place, though most of it's alternative. Do you play?

[had_not_lived]

Gosh, no. My father never thought that kind of thing was worthwhile, and even if I'd wanted to on my own I never would've had the time.

[dr_conscience]

That's a shame. I don't see what could be more worthwhile than expressing yourself, you know?

Well, hey, if you ever want to learn, let me know. I can show you a few things if you like.