On Thu, 27 Apr 2000, R. Scott wrote:
> . . . Technology has empowered the artist like never
> before. And same technology is allowing the artist to "take it to the
> people" as never before.
Do not want to be a full time whiner, but this whole discussion has
acquired an elitist attitude that's starting to bother me. How many people
-in the world- actually have internet access? How many have good enogh
connections to download music on-line, even the compratively small mp3
files? How many musicians are actually able to upload their music to the
internet? Let's be realistic. Are not the majority of the people unable to
partake in this so-called revolution? No music for them?
I have my music available online on mp3s for the same reason a lot
of people have their baby photos in their web sites, so that my family,
firends, and even former bandmates can listen to what have I been doing
musically lately. Alas, almost none of them has been able to download it.
Oops! I forgot they live in a third world country (Mexico, by the way),
where internet connections are luxuries that very few can afford, and even
those who can have pretty crappy ones. Most universities forbid their
users to download files as big as the smaller of mp3s.
You may say that with time this technology will become as
ubiquituous as CDs or VCRs, but I wonder how much time is that. In case
you had forgotten, electricity is still unavailable for an amazingly large
number of people in this world. However, thank god, music is. Music
distribution still has its strongest tool: live performance! The actual
way to escape the strong fist of the evil musical industry is by getting
off your butts and going out to catch a live act or DJ. The same for
musicians and DJs: go out and play: wherever and whenever you can. In
Mexico, and I bet in other places in the world, portable sound systems
have brought DJ music to communities left behind by more than one
technology revolution, but still hungry for new musical ideas. PolyMarchs
sound system, for example, have kept the electronic dance music
underground alive in Mexico for about twenty years, by touring and taking
their 'moving-disco' to even the samellest communities in the country
(sometimes bringing their own energy source) and, that way, actually made
more than one dance style or act breakthrough against the plans of the
major media and record companies. They are proof of how it is possible for
DJs to reshape the musical landscape in noticeable ways without the
assistance of major companies in the recording or entertainment
industries.
Of course, it is still easier, instead, to sit in front of a
computer, talk to some privileged cyberzines, and believe to be part of a
global revolution.
-xl
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: www.mp3.com/drxl :
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