April 20, 2005       Ok, so what’s the deal with the music industry?  It’s nearly impossible to find good music these days that isn’t drowned in image.  Today it seems like looks and gimmicks are much more important than talent.  There are people out there that have talent, drive and originality that will never get a break based solely on the fact that their image will not sell to the masses.   I remember when you could go see a new band and enjoy the show.  These days it seems like the bands that get big shows are terrible live.  I can’t stand watching a band bomb at a live show when they have more money than I will ever see.  That tells me they didn’t earn it.  They never put in the blood, sweat, tears and puke it takes to make a band work.  They knew someone who knew someone who gave them a break.  What do we do about this problem?  Should we keep eating the same strained peas and carrots that the ignorant youth are gobbling up?  Are we going to end up like our parents and only listen to the music from our generation?  Is there something we can do about it?  I think so!   I think we should seek out the music and the artists that we feel are great.   Now is the time of the internet and it’s getting cheaper and cheaper to make your own music at home.  We need to look at places like Purevolume.com and Soundclick.com.  We need to get proactive with our entertainment since the whole purpose is to entertain US!  Support your local music scene in any way you can even if it means plunking down your hard-earned $5.  And if you can’t make it to the shows,  then put the time in where you can by helping bands set up their own internet sites or helping them distribute flyers at work or when you are out.  I just don’t see this situation getting any better without the help of the people who appreciate what a good musician goes through to get their music out there.  And for those of you who do get a break, don’t forget where you came from!   ALWAYS support your local scene!                                                                             Robert Neal Tyson                                                                                   Contact Me