I'm NOT A Hipster; I Swear On My Vinyl Records Because MP3s are Too Mainstream

Hey!

before I get to my promised post, I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who is reading my blog. It means the world to me, truly!

Tonight, I would like to explain, on behalf of moderate hipsters everywhere--like myself--what we are trying to say when we--mostly they--make seemingly stupid comments. To clarify, I am not a hipster when it comes to clothes, speech, or who I associate with, but I do share similar ideals when it comes to music. Remember: not a hipster, just agrees with them on music from time to time. :)

For example, I find myself saying this a lot: "Mainstream music sucks."
You're probably thinking "Put a sock in it. This is my jam!" Fine, it can be your "jam," but number one, I don't think anyone has said that since like 1990 and number two, your "jam" maker has no talent. By saying that mainstream music sucks, what I'm saying is that artist has no talent, really, like I just said. If their voice is pumped full of auto-tune, does that mean they are a good singer? Nope. Mainstream music, any more, is dominated by idiotic rappers and "singers" who get high on the love they have for themselves. That's why mainstream music sucks.

Next, I will say "This band should be famous, not that one." That, readers, is jealousy. I am so jealous that bands like Maroon 5--who are a shabby excuse for a band--and The Wanted--can you believe that people consider them a band?--are making millions of dollars each year, selling tickets at ridiculously inflated prices, and have sold so many songs on iTunes, while more talented, "real" bands are making a little money here and there, but if you asked a random person on the street who MuteMath was, they'd probably just stare at you. Ask them who Bieber is, though, and they'd be able to tell you. It's just wrong. Many people--hipsters, maybe--listen to other bands with more talent who deserve the appearances and sponsorships. It's just kind of sad, for us, I suppose. That one is explained by jealousy and sadness.

Then, we say "I liked this song before it was popular." yes, I know everyone has heard someone say this before and you're probably annoyed by it. Let me explain it with a fantastic simile, let's pretend that you love searching for treasure--bear with me here--and you find a huge one, with trillions of dollars in it and you're just super rich and happy and everything. But then, the word gets out about your treasure and pretty soon everyone wants a piece of that treasure and they go back to where you found it and start taking all your money and pretty soon, you only have like, five hundred thousand. You're probably pretty sad at this point. Okay, get it? No? I'll explain. the treasure is the music, the people stealing the treasure are the dopes who are too lazy to find the music on their own and bum off your discovery and then claim it for themselves. Understand now? here's another way to look at it: I'll give you an example from my own life. "We Are Young" by Fun. is an incredible song and I discovered it because I have been a huge Fun. fan for the last year or so and I downloaded it back in September or so and loved it. I showed it to a friend of mine who loved it just as much, though for different reasons--I was drawn to the drum patterns and Nate's vocal range while she liked how sing-along-ready it was--and then a couple of months went by and BOOM! That song was huge. I had to transition from learning the lyrics on my own--most lyric websites do not post new lyrics very quickly, especially from alt/indie bands--to reading every 12 year old with a YOLO agenda posting the lyrics every hour. I get it, kids, it's really exciting to be 12 when you can't drive, drink, or smoke. How I envy you. Not. Anyways, that's why I like songs before they reach massive success.

Finally, I sometimes will say "I liked this band before they got big." You're probably shaking your head, thinking, "didn't you just say you wanted some of your alt bands to blow up?" Not really. I want my bands to have the type of success that Linkin Park or bands similar to them have had, success where they do not change their sound. Mainstream success often leads to some fancy producer or manager or greed taking over and trying to change the band. they land on the cover of magazines, start relying on a computer to do all the musical heavy lifting for them, and/or change their style completely. That only hurts their fans, the people who followed them when they had 50 Likes on Facebook, the people who went to their concerts, and bought their tee-shirts. But, when it comes to money and fame, they tend to forget that. And that is terribly unfortunate. I wish bands would stick up for themselves more often and stick with what works. Sadly, these producers/managers/greed will want them to change their stuff so that it is more appealing to 12 year old girls and 21-year-old party freaks. That's stupidity, in its finest form.


Next week, I will post about different bands/singers/people I've found on YouTube, all music related, though. :)

Until next week,
Bella

Why I Hate Mainstream Music (AKA Why I Support Alternative Artists)

Hey,

So I thought I should explain why I did not post last week about hipster/alternative philosophy. In short, I watched a really good documentary, got freaked out by The Walking Dead, and forgot about my blog until pretty late. Therefore, I had to whip something together fairly quickly—for me, that meant almost 50 minutes. I put a lot of time/effort into each blog post, fyi. So, no, I’m not an amnesiac and I’m not like Dory; I don’t have short term memory loss (P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney) Tonight, a night early, I’m aware of that-I’m going to my grandparents’ house and don’t want to feel tied to a computer—I’m making up for what I meant to write last week: why I like alternative music.

I’m deeper than just “Oh, I hate mainstream music ‘cuz it’s popular.” That’s a pathetic disgrace to music and logic. My disgust with music stems from my musical roots. I have two parents who prefer to listen to music from yesteryear as opposed to today. My mom listens to country—not my favorite, but at least back in the 70’s and before they were talented and knew how to write good quality music. My dad listens to 1980’s music, primarily, with a little 1970’s tossed in there for good measure. The 80’s were great. The artists were talented, they knew how to play instruments—a band is not a band unless they are playing instruments when you see them in concert—and they were much less concerned about their backup dancers or celebrity gossip or how much humping can one fit into a 3 minute music video. It was just about the music.

That’s what we are missing today.

The 1980’s boasted bands like Men At Work, Duran Duran, the B-52’s, The Buggles, Devo, Blondie, and Soft Cell. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but did Devo ever autotune their vocals because they did not possess the talent to sing? I don’t think so.

Today, artists don’t even need talent. They need money, powerful parents, an agent, and a willing producer who will make them sound like WALL-E. Maybe it’s just me but I thought robots were supposed to do chores and stuff, not sing. A robot chorus, now that could be interesting. I would like that. I would like that very much.

Back to the point, the 1980’s and previous generations had what this and the last decade or two have missed: an emphasis on talent, not how well an album will sell or who’s sexy. That doesn’t matter, but yet, today, it does. Rihanna, for example, is pretty much talentless, save for her constantly wagging butt and boobs busting beyond her bikini. That will sell.

All the blame cannot be dumped on the artists and the producers. Anyone one who buys this crap is supporting it, which encourages them to make more of it. Don’t encourage them. Ever. Even if you’re someone—and I do this occasionally—who buys  or listens to just one song on Sportify, where they earn money, you’re also in the wrong.

As well, it’s never “funny” to buy or listen to a song as a joke, because it earns them money and makes them feel important. Take Rebecca Black, for example. That frightening excuse for a singer appeared out of nowhere and got a billion gazillion views on YouTube. She, and those two scary guys, are rolling in the dough right now, laughing all the way to the bank. Congratulations, idiots, you just made a ton of money for some talentless fools.  That is something we need to avoid, as a whole.

Well, what can we do?

 What we need to do is stand up to these talentless zombies and remind them what music is supposed to sound like. It is up to us to boycott their music, videos, TV specials, movies, what have you, because there are thousands of struggling artists right now who want so badly to show they world that they possess real talent, not this fake stuff we’ve been digesting for the last twenty-two years or so. We should support these alternative/indie artists. That is why I started this blog, so these musicians can hopefully reach a greater audience. That’s my goal, at least.

Next week, I will define some hipster terms/ explain their logic. Then, I’ll get back to music reviews and different things like that.

Until next week,
Bella

Grouplove/Young the Giant Concert Review

Hey,
So, last night I went to the Grouplove/YTG concert. This concert was at the same venue as the Panic! at The Disco fiasco, but it's not jinxed. Rather, YTG was the polar opposite of PATD. Sameer, the lead singer, did not talk in between songs, he just went from song to song. We were out of the venue in an hour or so from when Young The Giant began performing. Loved it! :)

Grouplove, on the other hand, sucked. They were just awful. Awful, awful, awful. The best part of their set: it ended. Eventually. We came 20 minutes late, mostly because I hate them, and for a good reason. Why exactly? Their harmonies were big fails. Epic fails. They tried so hard, but failed with the same intensity. They were out of key. Ugh, big pet peeve of mine. They danced around like they were drunk idiots--which they probably were--whipping their respective heads like they were taking part in a re-shoot for Willow Smith's "Whip my Hair" music video. I think, if they would stop moving and dancing, they might (emphasis on might) be good. They're showboats, frankly, and until they loose that attitude, I won't see them again.

The best part of the night: YTG! They were amazing! I love bands that sound the exact same from the studio to the CD to the stage. Francois (the drummer) provided feverish, memorable beats that carried the songs. The 2 guitarists and the bassist complemented each other. While Sameer's wide vocal range was awe-inspiring. Their songs are infectious. The entire crowd was moving (or taping their feet, like me!) the whole duration of the set. You could tell the crowd was having as much fun as the band. They began the concert with "I Got," into "Guns Out" (Gotta love Sameer's falsetto), then "Shake my Hand" (which was a song they wrote back when they were The Jakes. Super addictive song. Check it out on YouTube), "What You Get" (a new track. It's supposed to be on the new album which will be coming out next Spring. Such a long wait! Good song, though. If the album sounds like that, I'll buy it the day it comes out), " 12 Fingers" (Sameer explained, during his one talk break, that this song is about having 12 Fingers. "I Wanna" (Another track. Beautiful! The title reminds me of the All American Rejects song of the same name, though YTG's is better) "Strings" (one of my favorite tracks by them; I think it was one of the first I bought. Catchy, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Download it!) "Camera" (another new track. I liked this one a lot; it gave me goosebumps, which essentially means I love it) "St. Walker" (haha Saint Walker. Oh, my stupidity! Anyways, fantastic way to end the main part of the concert. Best song. I love the minor key, the building guitar part, and the rhythms supplied by Francois). After that, the encore! First, "Apartment" (so many memories with this one. I remember dancing around my kitchen, singing into a wooden spoon, butchering the lyrics, but having fun. haha I'm a dorky teenager, remember? I love the accidentals), "Islands" (eh, not my fav song by them; it's too slow for their typically infectious bass lines), and finally "My Body" (For one, I love this song! It's fast, it's catchy, it's infectious. Very YTG. Now, I love it even more because of the crowd. Everyone, except for me, cuz I'm a buzz-killer, was jumping up and down, blocking my view of the adorable Sameer, which was funny. Energetic crowd. I loved it."
The crowd was passionate, but not super immature; I appreciated that. :) I am short, though, and found myself having to sway a bit to get a decent view of the band and I always wish I'm about 3 inches taller than i am. Oh, well, it was still a fantastic concert, and I can't believe I got to see them!

 If they're coming to your city, go see them! They are fantastic. They really do know how to put on a live show. Oh, it's safe to take a parent with you. ;)
For the next two weeks I'll have a normal reviews, but on April 19th, I'm going to see Eric Hutchinson with Graffiti6. I'm hoping to get pictures this time. *cross fingers* It should be good, I hope. No more PATD-like experiences. :)

Unil next week,
Bella