my students used to be flummoxed when i told them about my career in the music business--specifically the six years i worked for various record companies. they couldnt understand why i would leave the rock and roll lifestyle to be a (lowly) teacher. the simple answer i gave them was that money doesnt necessarily mean happiness (an answer they never accepted/believed, btw). but really, i gave that answer because the real answer is so much more complicated. case in point: this band. heres a band that has all the hallmarks of a multi-platinum, internationally famous band. good looking band members? check. insanely charismatic lead singer with trendy haircut? check. singles featured in commercials? check. slow burn single that builds to a sing-a-long chorus, complete with gospel choir AND a saxophone solo? check. and yet... how many of you have ever heard this song (came out back in 2011) or, more to the point, the band? after 3 albums, serious touring chops both solo and opening for major acts, the band is...slowly falling apart. one of the band members recently announced on their website hes going back to school to major in business. ironic. because it is the BUSINESS of music that destroys music. and destroyed my love of being in the business. if i had seen this video during a staff meeting, i would have predicted a HUGE hit. and whether you like it personally or not...you have to admit, they are the type of band that you would expect to have a hit. and yet...just a modicum of success. i saw this all the time. really hard-working, solid bands muted by label politics. maybe their a&r person (the people who sign bands to labels) got fired/left for another label, and the rest of the folks at the label dont get the band and let them record an album or two, but dont really work the record/band and they slowly fade away/become disillusioned/go back to school to get a degree in business. or maybe the bands bassist is married to the VP of of the labels daughter, and suddenly im being told to spend every free moment i have working the record, while the label pours millions into promoting a band that is mediocre at best. anywho. this song came up on my ipod today and reminded me why i left.
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 17:08:09 +0000
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