Why No Hype / No Trends?

I check out music media on the web fairly often.  There is a tremendous wealth of useful information out there, for those who wish to find it.  There is also a lot of hype-driven, trend-chasing, celebrity-obsessed, useless drivel.

In an era when the audience wants news every day, even the most minor events become “newsworthy.” It’s nearly impossible to spend an hour or two online researching new or old music without coming across videos of vapid pop stars posing in ridiculous outfits for photo shoots, banner headlines announcing the upcoming release of some middling artist’s flashy new video, and fairly pedestrian gossip about artists’ personal lives or working partnerships.  The most superficial aspects of the music industry are more and more on display these days of the internet age. Such hype can make the most empty, generic music seem important or, conversely, make deeply personal and serious music appear shallow and showy.

Hindsight sees better

I learned long ago that the less I knew about the artists and the publicity surrounding them, the more I could appreciate the music for what it was.   I like to keep myself aware of all the different types of music out there, especially new developments, but all too often I’ve seen the music media gush all over a new style only to lambaste it a couple years later.  In a culture obsessed with generating hype and chasing trends, it can be difficult to gain some perspective.

So I take all that hype with a grain of salt, skim my sources a little just to find out what’s out there, and let my ears make the judgments.  I try to let things settle for a while before making any final assessments. Hype is way too now to be much use, I feel.  Hindsight sees better.

Never more current than a year behind

You will never find anything “current” on this site.  I promise never to post every day.  (I’ll probably be lucky to post once per week.)  I won’t be chasing superficial “news.”  I’m starting off way back in the ‘60s, but even when I eventually make my way up to the current moment, I will never be more current than a year behind.

No “new” news. That’s a promise.