july 24th, 2002
somebody told me about this project they are working on. I don’t understand it, and more importantly, I can’t tell if it sounds interesting, or smart, or not. But I’ll get to it in a second. First, it made me think about all the kinds of music I don’t understand. Not even in a purely technical way. It’s more that I don’t understand it musically, and I don’t even respect some of it. That makes me really uncomfortable. I’d like to think that music is something that is inherently valuable, even if the execution or intentions of the creator aren’t in any way redeemable. The big music on the big radio stations that sell lots of Pepsi…I don’t understand it. I know this is hard to believe, but stick with me. My problem is that I don’t know where to file this kind of music. Should it make me upset? Insulted as a musician, woman, human, etc.? Should I ignore it and write it off as a comercial? Does it really matter? I want it to matter. I want it to matter that I can’t see the value in certain kinds of music. I think it matters because this goes beyond taste. I am comfortable with the fact that I don’t like certain things, but I can still respect them for their value. Like olives. But some music, I can’t do it. And that makes me nervous - like if I don’t respect certain kinds of music, then I’m one step away from not believing in free speech. If I don’t respect it, I’m not going to defend it. Is that true about me? No. And there’s the problem! Somebody stop me, before I become more confusing. As a musician, in my musician heart, I feel that all music is inherently valuable. In my head, I don’t respect the music played on commercial radio - and a few other kinds of music, too. I think this makes me a bad person, and a bad musician. Tell me I’m wrong. Please.
moving on. so this project. the person was telling me that they are taking beats, and reversing them. like a mirror of themselves. so the beat plays, and then plays backwards. that was all they said. is this interesting? I don’t know anything about manipulating beats, or the theory behind electronic music, so i can’t figure it out. somebody tell me if this actually sucks.
but SRB, why are you telling us all of this? can’t you just make your own gosh-darn weblog to rant about whether you’re a good person or not?
well, yes I could, but this makes sense here. With this project, I’m hoping to expand my musical - and personal - boundaries, and thinking about this stuff definitely falls within those parameters. exploration, people! self-discovery! and more mumbo-jumbo of the like! get with the times!
xoxoxoxo
sr
august 26th, 2002
1. Music good or bad- just remember what Count Basie said: "if it sounds good, it is good." Simple.
2. Reverse beats- first done by Beatles on "Strawberry Fields Forever". Actually, suggested by John Lennon, but executed by their producer, Sir George Martin.