Sick of this economy and its doom and gloom? Sick of bands saying they don’t have money to record? Sick of top 40 radio? I have the answer: do something about it.
Support independent musicians by going out and purchasing CDs from bands you don’t know. (And if you’re blessed to live in a city that has a vinyl or independently owned record store - by all means support them).
It’s simple. Just go to MySpace, or the independent CD sales site of your choice, and start surfing. For example, I love Crowded House. Of course, there are only so many Neil Finn and Crowded House CDs out there, but I found a US guy named Walty. Love his CD, which is called 'LET IT OUT'. Its kind of like The Replacements with John Lennon or Neil Finn on lead vocals. Really cool artwork, too. I think it cost me $9 or something. And Its better than any of this stuff on the top-40 radio. It’s a deal all the way around.
Every month, I’ve been trying to buy 5 CDs from bands I’ve never heard of before (especially if they cost $10 or less - bands, take note. The $18.99 CD is a bad idea). If you don’t have the time or money, just go for 1. If all the readers of Tape Op started doing this, we would all improve our music libraries, network with cool musicians, and who knows, maybe kick start the recording economy all by our selves.
Well, its worth a shot.
I'd like to throw in a similar suggestion: If you're lucky enough to live in a place that has opportunities to see live music, take a chance on some performers or bands you've never heard of. Grab some local listings, look for a live gig that sounds like it might be interesting and go!
THIS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT and I can't emphasize it enough: Don't make a huge production out of it... just grab your coat and get out there, even if it's only for an hour or two. Even on a school night. Even if you have to go by yourself because all of your pals are busy. Even if you can't have a drink... have a soda instead. Even if you have to find someone to watch the kids for a bit. Do it for the music and for the adventure of discovery. At worst, it'll be an excuse to get out of the house. Sure, you may have to endure some dud acts and some outright crap... chalk it up to being musically and culturally adventurous. But just as often, you'll discover hidden gems, jaw-dropping talent and a whole new way of thinking about music, and maybe, just possibly, your new favorite band in all the world.
I've picked many shows to see based on little more than an interesting band name or because it was happening only a mile or two away, and I've been richly rewarded time and again. Perhaps more importantly, I've been exposed to music and genres that I normally wouldn't think of seeking out otherwise... 70's-era fusion, brooding weepy folk tunes, old time, Balkan gypsy jazz, electro-disco dance stuff... who knew? Certainly not me when I went to the gig! Loved 'em all.
If you like what you hear, buy a CD at the show! There are at least a dozen CDs I've purchased and put onto my iPod in the last year alone that I've found this way.
One tip for the random gig-goer: Most every band out there now has a myspace site or web presence of some kind. A little judicious googling can give you a taste of what a band is like and can help you to separate the wheat from the chaff. Don't be too judgmental about what you hear, just use it a tool to help you decide, as live and recorded are often two different kinds of fish.
Take a chance, take a trip to the unknown and leave your expectations at the door... you won't regret it.