I think Roy needs to talk to itunes about it…

I think for me whats frustrating is the lack of access to a variety of stations when I turn on the radio in my car. Now I hunt for music online, and I discovered a ton of great artists when I worked for Borders Books….back when they sold music. I just wish that there were radio stations around here (in Vegas) that played something different. I love Americana and folk -I love lyrics, I am a huge fan of Dylan (my son is named after him) I hate that the stations playing the music now have whittled whats heard down to about 20 songs that get played 100 times over. I love broadjam for its variety of artists and music. I totally think there needs to be a BJ station. that would be awesome!

(smiles warmly)

Got my cast/splint off today and replaced it with an ordinary removable splint. I can play video games again:)

I made 3/5th’s a fist today… Figured a little blogging may be in order.

I’m off the meds too… which is nice. I can think clearly now. Although that was a personal choice. I still have a prescription that I could get but I just dont like being all messed up on that stuff.

I should have full mobility back in 6 months… But… its hard. Everything is stiff, swollen, and hurts like all hell when I try to flatten my hand or make a fist.

No guitar playing for me… bummer… like… I want to cry kinda bummer.

But we push through… and so will I.

It’ll take time… but this too shall pass.

Cheers:)
pro

Hi PT, Glad to see you are feeling alot better and back in good form here on the blog. Your ideas about music today is very interesting and very true. That’s why the Cover Can was so much fun to do. You really couldn’t mess up what already perfection especially lyrically. Some great interpretaions came out of the Can in the Six Pack.

And yeah…

Radio has a pretty established formula when it comes to what the labels and distributers like to back…

But it doesn’t mean the artist or producers involved have accomplished something great. It just means they have a formula that makes money… and they’re sticking to it.

I think the trick is edging you’re way into that formula while maintaining a level of artist integrity. Its the difference between being the next Gravity Kills versus the next Stone Temple Pilots.

Producing art that fits the format is a challenge… but as many of us have already realized… Its not always about what you can do… But more so who you know thats gonna put it out there.

Can’t we buy radio time here on BJ?

If you shake enough cash at anything… you can make it happen. I think its all about establishing a demograph and milking it.

The work could feasibly suck… but if you buy enough airtime… there’s bound to be “someone” out there willing to buy it.

Heck… after I press “Solutions in anarchy,” I’ll be banking on it.

Lyrics:

Sometimes it only takes a line, other times it takes the story, but one thing I’ve learned is that repetition in your verses isnt always good… and music with a message is key if you ever hope to be immortalized. Otherwise… you’re just another one hit wonder that’ll be known as “the love shack band, the I would walk a 1000 mies band, or the roof is on fire guy.”

Who wants that right? Especially when we all have so much more to offer.

Sure… you can nail a hit single with a mindless hook, and maybe you should, but I think artist that aim for that mindless hook are becoming more and more abundant due to the availability of professional tools at hobby world prices. And you’ll need more than “lets party” to move ahead of the pack… Although if you can find a way to sing “lets party” better than the last guy… you’ll be in business.

Anyone can do it… sure. Sometimes I actually get pissed off that it “really is that easy” yet here I sit without a single example of how easy putting a polished platinum worthy track out there really is.

The simple lyrics found in our cover can are evidence of a dynamically changing playing field regarding fresh sounds and fresh hooks. Things that were doable years ago aren’t exactly the best option in todays market. But perhaps the things we’re doing today would never have worked back then either.

Radio friendly is a really grey concept for this. We push new boundaries every year regarding exceptable phrases, words, or ideas.

I think there are many artist that shaped genres early on that would tank in todays market. Which brings me to the only point worth making regarding this topic…

We are literally future music in the making… One person’s water is another’s wine… and there should be no rules regarding what any of us do… mearly guidelines.

So long as its not mindless thrashing on a keyboard or into a mic… Its gotta be worth something. Right?

Just give it a home…

protilius

TT:

Ok. I will concede to that- probably because Dylan didn’t care whether his tunes were popular or not. You are right when you say he didn’t write his songs thinking about a lyrical hook. He came at the right time considering the anti establishment groups in the 60s etc. - and 40 plus years ago they were not so concerned about bridges,(bridges were almost non existent in rock) hooks etc. And yes the emphasis on “hooks” are more obvious today more than ever. It definitely has to be “catchy”.

I still say his style would not fit the Idol template.

Just reading the post here…Nils, Mags, Peter, TT, I totally agree. The “commercial” music of today from pop to country is so mega produced, pitch corrected, and shinny. It’s not necessarily the artist or producers fault. It’s definitely the big record labels and radio stations. They want a nice shinny product to sell. Just like fish humans are attracted to shinny things. It don’t matter how long it lasts or if it leaves an impression. As long as it shines long enough to make a shitload of money than it’s gold in their eyes! Have any of you seen the movie before the music dies? That’ll open your eyes to the music business of today. It talks about how labels don’t even look/invest in artist that can have 20 year career. Just the ones who can make them quick money. Can anyone name me 5 bands in the rock genre that fill arenas that started in the 90s or 2000s. Not to many. Most play small to mid size venues. Where’s the new longevity bands ala Led Zeppelins, the Aerosmiths, the Stones, etc? If any of you get the chance watch Before The Music dies. They even prove that any talentless bum can have hit today. They take a non musician girl, track a song with her, fix it all with technology, make video and she looks and sounds like a pro! With out the years of practice and performing!

Here’s a link to info on that movie http://www.beforethemusicdies.com/

And Mags, man am I on board with your comment about lyrics. I spent countless hours on 2 lines in a song. I try to make them say something other than “let’s Party”. That’s where the majority of my time is spent with a song and rarely are they really really great lyrics.

Peace all!

Troy

Bruce,
I have to disagree with you on Dylan, He wouldn’t make it lyrically today either. Dylan didn’t write his songs thinking about a lyrical hook… which is one of the criteria todays’ music business types look for. Most folks don’t even consider a musical hook if a song has lyrics either.(when reviewing) Just my opinion from observation.
TT

Marge:

I’m with ya on that. If a song can’t stand alone with an acoustic guitar and lyrically, then its up to the producer to “fix it” so to speak. Ironically, my daughter and I were just talking about Simon and Garfunkle. Amazingly, they were basically two voices and a guitar. Can’t get much simpler than that. Paul Simon was a lyrical master and people would listen to the content lyrically and melodically instead of “flash” so to speak. Dylan was the same thing. Vocally, he probably would have flunked Idol, but he again was a lyrical genius.

I agree with you Nils with the business, marketing, image and formulas. Business is business.

I must confess though, when I listen to main stream music these producers and engineers sure know what they are doing. I often marvel at their talent. I do learn from the best, and we have some right here on broadjam!

Bruce

I agree, Penny.
You made me laugh, Stacy.
I’m here to support, Mags. By the way, I don’t “hate”. But I would love to go to Cali or Europe myself if I had the chance. Travel is an expansion of the horizon and brings new experiences and stories with it that turn into songs, lyrics etc…screw it I’m just homesick and haven’t been to Germany and Holland in five years

I like that “If we build it, they will listen”

Nils

You are right, that’s the spirit Mags!

hey nils..dont hate! im not traveling anyway…jim is coming to LA…

i agree with what you say about the state of popular music..its not all bad but take britney spears for example.. right now she has a number 1 hit with this piece of shit.. catchy as hell song “3″ its about slutting it up …it is laced with every production trick in the book..but still a piece of shit.. she and her label will make millions with this piece of shit ..which features her moaning breathing heavy, insinuating that peter paul and mary where a threesome and not really doing much else..with a great beat..dont forget the beat….i admit the song is fun to listen too and dance too but you feel nothing when you listen to it..take away nothing..

. but what andy and i and all my co-writers are attempting to do is create songs that are radio friendly yet still great songs …we do alot of tricky production but they still have to work if you sing them stripped down with an acoustic guitar…thats the test ..the lyrics have to have meaning emotion and tell a story ..great lyrics are one of the hardest most time consuming things to do..lyrics were getting overused and cleche for a while and i think alot of the new songwriters have lost direction and are taking the easy way out and hiding behind production..just writing a catchy hook is all they do and kids today latch on to the newest trendiest thing then because there is no real substance, they move on to the next..but honestly all the kids today still know the classics and still download them .

. the world needs great music in every style..songs that help you grow up , be a better person, love someone, get through hard times..i can tell you that we are working nonstop to put some great timeless classic pop songs with integrity and creativity out there….. or we will die trying..and i know a lot of writers here on broadjam are doing the same ..
please join us!!! we can change things..”if we build it they will listen”
mags

I think the Polka genre is still holding up pretty good.

I think the blues have survived pretty well generally speaking in this modern day world commercial world!