Bob, Jacob or Just Me?
It’s a matter of philosophy, really. When a group begins the trek toward becoming a real band, the musicians sometimes discuss the direction the music will take and what the lyrics will say. In some cases, this discussion is limited to a few comments made during a practice session in the garage or some empty room that seems to fit the group’s overall atmosphere.
In any case, musicians must listen to an internal voice that comes at odd moments, one that is not The Beatles, not The Talking Heads, and certainly not Madonna. Maybe young musicians such as Sloan, Suburban Legends or De Capulet would be best served by asking if the group is Bob, Jacob or just me?
Some young players would be wise to follow in the footsteps of one Bob Marley of Trenchtown. Not only was this reggae legend a musician and performer, he was a philosopher and a rebel as well. As one social activist said, you have to stir the pot once in awhile or a scum forms on the top.
Maybe the music is best described as another Marley, Jacob. This fellow came back for a few minutes to warn his old friend Ebenezer Scrooge about the dangers of worshipping wealth. That might be an admirable direction for some young group of musicians.
But in the end, the players also have to remain “just me.” Musicians can’t escape influences. What we listen to is still in our heads, after all. A few minutes spent at the start, trying to understand what direction they’re heading, might be a few minutes well spent for a new generation of musicians.
Tags: Jacob or Just Me?, independent music, indie, music, indie music, Bob
I have to agree with this article. I think that when you are working on becoming a real band the fact is there is a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration. The realization of whether the music will really reach people or is it just pleasing to you and few of your closest friends. Although it more likely to be pleasing to more than that you have to decide what happens if you make it big in a short period of time, how the split is and what expenses need to come out.
I think the issue today is entirely too much “Bob or Jacob?” and not nearly enough “Just Me?”. Kids today are going to have grandchildren who are only going to know “legends” as we know them now. Because there are no new legends in the making. If everyone tries to be just like the current “legends”, then they aren’t doing anything to stand out. Nothing to get noticed.
You are absolutely right, and I enjoyed reading this. Of course, it’s almost impossible to escape from the influences of the greats, but what makes the next bad stand out is to bring forth some individuality. I am sick and tired of hearing one new band after another come out of the woodworks and sound just like ten million other bands. It is not a bad thing to stay a little in tune with the trend, but you don’t want to BECOME a trend.
You are right. What helps people to remember a band is the unique sound or vocals that one produces. When you have many bands sounding the same it is really difficult to enjoy something. Trends are ok, but they come and go and keeping yourself in the game is the name of it for most bands. if you are in it for the money this is not a bad thing.
The other night on the news I heard someone say,”When a band or a singer gets their first solo album they think they have it made. They don’t. They have to keep it up, to have it made to be a legend. Otherwise, they’re just another cookie cutter who will be forgotten.”
When I read the article up there I thought about that quote, and it’s so true. So many young artists think that they’re the next best thing when they get their first album.