Here our editor spouts what's on his mind... whether you want him to or not
2009, The Year of... The Single
Editorial by Michael Meade
2009 saw a true upswing in the almost forgotten Single Release. Several bands, spanning several genres, have returned
to releasing singles as opposed to the expected yearly album.
Not surprising, labels have steadily been losing money for their short-sighted attack on the digital download frontier
back when they banded together to take down Nappster in the early years of this decade. What is surprising is that it took
this long for labels and the bands they've made huge to jump back on the Single track release, afterall with iTunes, Nappster,
Zune, not to mention the millions of illegally ripped MP3s out there; is there anybody that still buys full albums?
Record labels have forgotten how to innovate, this excludes some indie labels I'm personal friends with, I speak of the
"Big Guys". But truth is truth, big labels are going down, it's a slow death granted but the vultures and flies are looming.
More bands are self-representing, taking pride in being unsigned, and some even create their own label. True these
routes may never see your band playing a sold-out stadium world tour, and then again it might, but bands are able to maintain
more control over their image, their creativity, and their money.
New resources pop up every day for self-promoting, self-repped musicians... cdbaby.com, Snocap, Myspace, Facebook,
Reverbnation, Punkrockers.com, Skullsnbones.com etc. etc. etc.
So many ways to expose your music, sell your music, build a fan base, and get name recognition; all without a label acting
as lead dog on a sled team keeping your view eternally the same... it's ass.
Perhaps by re-embracing singles and fully embracing digial download technologies, albeit a decade late, major labels
are making a step toward equality with the bands in expanding and innovating the music industry rather than attempting
to reinforce the traditional choke-chain hold they have enjoyed for four decades.
What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and... Rock 'n Roll? Editorial
by Michael Meade
What ever happened to rock songs that celebrate life? I know that times are hard, on a global level of a hundred different
fronts... but when did the love of just being alive leave rock?
Yes there are still songs that celebrate love of course, but I am speaking of the songs that make you want to get out
your front door and live! Enjoying every breath to the fullest, we've traded "Born To Be Wild"by Steppenwolf for
"I Hate My Life" by Theory of A Dead Man. I understand the sentiment, over the last few years especially, but where
is the balance point? On the radio I hear songs about lost love, pain, loss, drug addiction, wallowing in apathy, elevation
of self over caring about others more and more. Powerful emotions and situations they are indeed, and much more prevalent
in every person's day to day lives yes, but in times like these the fact that we are alive and have the ability to change
the world for the better, if we choose to, should be celebrated in song as it was in the '60s and '70s.
This small editorial is very preachy, and for that I sincerely apologize. But when hope leaves the majority of our music
does it not also leave our spirits?
In closing I ask this, who else wants to get their motors running, head out on the highway, and take this world in a
love embrace once again with me?
Let us remind ourselves that Rock 'n Roll can save the world.
Ringo Used To Be Cool...
Editorial by Michael Meade
Ringo Starr was cool once but has now given into the celebrity mentality more than ever before
cutting off autograph requests and even fan mail in general.
Here he is laying down the law to fans:
Ego trips are expected of rockstars but it's extremely
sad when they slap their fans, die hard and casual alike, with obnoxious BS like this. Yes you're a rock legend, yes rock
probably would not have become what it is today without you and the rest of the Beatles, and yes as former Beatle and rock
legend Ringo Starr you do have tons to do; but remember who supported your rise to fame, who filled your bank accounts...
your fans.
Without the fans Beatlemania never would have happened in the UK or the US, without the fans
you likely would still be a nobody from Liverpool. Sure this could be a publicity stunt, I haven't seen your face in the media
since George Harrison passed away so hell this could be a ploy to get centerstage again. Afterall the divorce worked wonders
for Paul and Heather... for a few minutes.
And if you are serious well I hate to say it, but for the first time ever I'm glad John and George
aren't around.
Maybe I haven't embraced seeing people as wallets with legs enough in my life but I still think
you should at least pretend to care about the millions of people that love your work enough to make it part of their
lives, and in some cases their whole life.
Music's Place in Society
Editorial by Michael Meade
Music has bound cultures together since the first humanoid simians found their fellows, and their environment,
responding to the sounds they uttered. Music has given voice to our hearts fondest desires and our souls deepest agonies for
millenia, a call to arms and to peace, a hail and a farewell, a celebration of life and a wish for a good afterlife.
Music has been integral to humanity's existence, we use music to make tedious drudge work move a little
faster and to take hold of our spirits, launching them into ecstacy during spiritual and religious ritual and ceremony.
What would a Spirit Dance be without drums? Buddhist meditation without chanting? A Witch's Sabbat without
Circle Songs? Christian services and masses without psalms? There would be no energy, no focus, no joy, no point.
History itself was passed down orally through word and song for centuries the world over. By Bard,
Shaman, Healer, Priestess, and Priest was song used to teach the laws, both mundane and spiritual, to their people.
And today in a world of fear bought and sold by governments trying, and succeeding, to turn citizens into
sheep bleeting at their shepherd's heels for protection; where our Mother Earth is trying to purge us like the infection our pollution
has become; music is our freedom.
In an age of worry, strife, and disconnection where we find it more comfortable to communicate via e-mail
than face-to-face when we live only minutes away from eachother, and keeping gas in our vehicle is almost the same cost as
keeping a roof over your head, music is our bond.
Music takes the worry and stress out of our lives if only for a few minutes leaving us refreshed and easier
of mind. I've personally seen music ease tempers and avert a fight, and I've seen music end racial tensions. Living in an
area where I have sat and listened to middleschool children say they wouldn't sit near a couple of kids
that were alone because they weren't to be trusted for no other reason than the color of their skin. And then seeing that
change as soon as they all could talk about music says very much I think.
Before this editorial becomes any more messianic about the virtues and importance of music in peoples' lives
I close with the hope that music will always be found in every home, school, spiritual endeavor, pub, vehicle, act of love,
celebration, bond of friendship, peacemaking, welcome, farewell, joy, pain, heartbreak, breakdown, and declaration of freedom
in the world.
Music belongs in every life, in every heart, in every soul!
