I haven't written to much this last week. Part of that has been due to sheer busyness (a ton of preparations for summer, going home after six months of treatment, etc) but the bulk of it is that I just didn't know what to write about. Its been a struggle to think of creative fodder for the blog while also distancing it from the "post a song, write a sentence", blog stereotype.
Which is why I've decided to have a little conversation (mostly with myself, I only have nine followers after all) about the nature of blogging and why it can be such a polarizing force in music (Odd Future's Tyler the Creator pulls no punches in repeatedly insulting the blogosphere) while also serving as an influential force (the same group of guys Tyler rags on are the chief reason he's as well known as he is today).
Blogging is an inherently narcissistic endeavor. To start a blog one needs to be confident in the content of the blog as well as their ability as a writer. You also have the impression that people might be interested in what you have to say. Blogging is not for the self-conscious, the internet is a cesspool of ridicule and if you listen to every negative thing hurled your way it will cripple you. While I'm focusing on music blogs, this is true across the board, whether you have a Wordpress, Blogspot, or god forbid, your own website. The idea of people listening to what you have to say and liking the things you tell them they should like is an appealing idea, not so much as a power grab but as a general community service/ pat on the back.
The problem with most blogs is the lack of substance. I'm active on The Hype Machine (hypem.com), a website devoted to compiling music from a library of blogs. Its a great resource for getting new music and observing what the community is favoring as a whole. The blogs themselves aren't great. An average post consists of a few sentences describing the artist, maybe a clever one liner somewhere, then a few tracks. Its boring an un-inventive. It speaks of a community of bloggers who value the self fulfillment of a large audience and a heavy stream of posts above substance.
This is because the job of blogs isn't to be well spoken or interesting. Its the passing on of music to the masses, and the promotion of various up and coming groups. There aren't many good articles on Odd Future in blogs but their music can be found in just about every single one. At this point in time blogs best use is providing hits for songs, albums, artists, etc. Its not a trajectory I see changing anytime soon and the common consensus seems to be that if you want to be an art @#!*% and write, go get a job from Pitchfork. Blogs are meant to be quick and dirty blips of music, no more and no less.
What I'd like to see is a blogosphere dominated by substance over output. It offers those who see blogs as musical bibles an opportunity to really become knowledgeable on the music their listening to, and thats a powerful sentiment. I'm not arguing for an army of pretentious music snobs, the "her musics a bit obtuse, frankly" type. A musically informed public renders more accountable artists and record labels. Would people shelling fifty plus bucks to go see Ke$ha if they knew the amount of production tricks that go into making her sound decent? They probably would, there are certain things you just can't change. Still, it would bring more awareness to what goes on in front and behind the scenes in making music, in marketing music, in consuming music.
Here's hoping for a new age is blogging. After all, where would music be without us, the lonely narcissists. Certainly a lot more Barry Manilow.
Here are some eclectic bangers for your listening pleasure. It just wouldn't feel right without them.
I'll Take Care of You (Jamie xx Remix) - Gil Scott Heron
Gil Scott-Heron - I'll Take Care of You (Jamie XX Remix) by Posh Magazine
Guilt - Nero
Nero - Guilt by azurochka
Stableface - Eleven Tigers
Eleven Tigers - Stableface by darylauguste
Tyrant Destroyed - Twin Shadow
01 Tyrant Destroyed by pippsta
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