It’s not often that I have a compelling urge, want or need
to expel my feelings through the written word. But my new found desire has
found its way to the surface again.
I am not a fan of ‘pop’. Be it, pop music, pop personalities
or pop culture. To me, it’s a bit like election trails, I understand the need
for it, I understand that it shapes the way we live, it shapes culture &
fashions and fuels economy, but I feel no want to be part of that world. In
fact, quite the opposite, I have found myself actively leaving the room or
putting in my earphones when the public search for new talent rears its ugly
head on prime time Saturday night television.
The way that talent is discovered hasn’t changed that much
since the 70’s & 80’s, it’s just become a lot more public. It seems the
struggle for fame is still upon us but without the struggle. There seems to be
a want for instant success with a lack of understanding that the formative
years are where you grow as an artist, where you learn your trade. It’s the equivalent
of a man who has never run before, being told that after some coaching, from
someone who has done, a bit of something, a little bit like, running in the
running industry, you’ll be running a marathon. Isn’t it?
You need that confidence, understanding, desire and drive. You
need to have set up your own gear, tested your own microphone and died on your
arse in front of a crowd of disinterested drunken locals in a pub at the arse
end of anywhere. You need to know you trade or at least be aware that it exists.
I’m not saying all of the competitors are wet behind the ears as I simply do
not have that background knowledge; it just comes across that way.
I can’t get excited by these programmes because I fear for
the cast offs, which is the great majority. Of course they have instant success
and if they only go in to these competitions seeking a Christmas No.1 and a
panto run in Southend (nothing wrong with that) then more power to them.
I believe Gareth
Gates has made a massive impact and progress with not only his speech therapy but is now helping others overcome their own
difficulties, as well as having constant work singing & performing.
But which other way did he have to go? From mass hysteria to
sell out tours and front covers of magazines. All the hype a young man could
need, but you know that there is another series planned less than a year away
into which the money and time will be poured.
It makes a very
public mockery of the people making music. It’s all about the quick buck; it smacks
of bandwagon hopping, sponsorship deals & PR stunts. It’s more concerned
with the personality than the person.
So what’s my point?
When the Beatles were signed they were given 5 year deal.
How many of the new artists are given that sort of opportunity? This allowed
them to get used to the recording studio, to the live sound and gave the privileged
position to excel. Of course nobody could have predicted what was to happen
next, but they were given that opportunity. Artists need managers to make sure
they appear in the right places at the right times and say hello to the big
movers & shakers in ‘the business’ but to actively have someone choose the
clothes you wear and the songs you sing depresses me greatly. (I understand
that the Beatles were told what to wear and where to stand but they were also
given 5 years to evolve, fair trade)
Or am I just green?
