Latch Music's Ezine #1
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* "The Zine" content is contributed by Dave Latchaw and colleagues who use the Internet to promote their musical projects. You can check out previous issues at "The Zine" Archives.
In This Issue
- Article: "The Internet Musician" by Dave Latchaw
- Guest Artists:
Woody Lingle - Great bass player and composer from Nashville.
Errol Rackipov - Great vibes and marimba player and composer from Miami. - Featured Web Site: Frank Zappa
- Featured Web Video: Joe Zawinul and the Syndicate
- CD Pick: King Crimson "The ProjecKts"
The Internet Musician
by Dave Latchaw
What an interesting time for a musician. Do I want to wait around and play every hole-in-the-wall club and be kissing up to bizz types who think they are important, all for the hope of that elusive record deal, or not?
The Internet has changed the old standard procedure of schmoozing, demos and playing places where no one cares. Yes it is a kick to play for people, but now there are more options and you can maintain control. The Internet gives artists more things to do to promote themselves and distribute their efforts. With such places as MP3.com, artists have a way to manufacture and distribute their music to a global market for a reasonable expense. Yes, a record company can do that too, but then they have all the control and a big piece of the artist. I have known too many musicians who got a record deal that turned out to be more of a pain in the ass than anything. It starts to be a matter of whether I do what I do to be famous, or because I find it interesting. In a perfect world both would be cool, but that is usually the exception.
Finding the balance - The most brilliant creative musicians are usually unknown outside of their local scene unless they happened to be in the right place at the right time. More and more, talented unknown artists are making their presence known by using the Internet. The quality of art will improve as those who have worked on their craft become more cyber savvy. The problem currently is that there are an amazing number of computer tech people who dabble in music, flooding the broadband Internet waves with very average non-descript music. They know the computer and the Internet and have a head start in that area. Things will change for those types if the musicians learn the technology. To compete with the tech heads the artist needs to embrace the way of the future and evolve with it, or be perpetually chained to the depths of their home studio. Broadband is going to allow the use of the Internet and quality of product to improve over time. Music is not something that everyone can do, but technology is something that everyone can learn. The more the musician becomes computer literate the more potential he has to get his material out there. Eventually, greater numbers of people are going to be aware of one's art, which will increase the artist's revenues and the ability to finance more, different and better projects. Musicians who are hesitant about the Internet have voiced a concern about being ripped off. What are they thinking? A record company will try to rip you off at every turn. You can control whether or not you let people hear your music. Think of free downloads as advertising to potential fans.
The mega stars of their specific genres who are with any record company have to sell so many units to break even that it must hinder their creative growth. It must be in the back of their mind that a poor-selling record could put them back with the pack. The mega star is going to think twice about following a creative whim unless they've made more money than they would ever need. The Internet gives an artist the chance to explore those creative whims, which will undoubtedly enhance artistic growth.
Yeah, being famous and having buckets of money would be something interesting to experience. This is not why one should be an artist. There are more people than one could imagine wanting (and in their minds deserving) to be the flavor of the month, but the odds are against them. Thankfully, the Internet gives unknown artists the tools they need to do for themselves the things that, in the past, only the record company could do. Technology has made it easy to make good recordings at an acceptable cost, and this will only get better. The Internet also gives the artist global distribution. Currently, MP3.com is a decent place for a musician to do business. It is cool that one can have their product made as needed and sell their digital automated music (D.A.M.) CD. Like any other business, MP3.com is trying to make money, and they should for what they provide. They also have to evolve with the changing face of the Internet. Technology and competition are expanding the marketplace. Could MP4.com be around the corner? Will it provide a better product for the consumer and give more of the advertising and sales wealth to the musician? Who knows, but let's hang on for the wild ride and see where this Internet thing takes us as artists and consumers.
Woody Lingle
#1 How has the Internet changed the way you promote your music and your efforts as a musician?
For me, personally, it gave me an opportunity to document and make available MY music in a way that didn't involve any artistic compromise. It's also made me a little (actually a lot) more aware of how the whole promo machine works. I'm accountable for my own progress in many ways, which is a great learning process.
#2 Where do you see the Internet going with regards to the artist and the consumer?
I'm no prophet, but it seems to me that all of the copyright issues need to be resolved (Napster, etc.) before we can move ahead to the next step. It does seem to me that the record companies' role will certainly have to change or adjust at the very least.
#3 How do you find a balance between your musical activities such as practice, studying, creating and promotion?
Finding a balance is definitely the key, and I'm not so sure that I have found it yet... tho' motivation is always the centering element. I think you really have to just buckle down and make a schedule for yourself so you don't abuse your time in one or another arena, 'ya dig? It ain't easy!
#4 How has the Internet changed your perspective on the music business?
It actually has changed my reluctance to put product out there in the sense that before, I tended to not want to let go of anything. Now that I'm more in charge, I tend to be less miserly with what I write and perform. It really has opened me up a bit. It's given me a new motivation to write.
#5 What are your current or future projects that you would like people to know about?
I'm currently working on several more tunes to add to the site, as well as promoting a friend of mine named Chad Hunley. He and I collaborate frequently and he has a site up on mp3.com also. I continue to work in the studio with Steve Wariner and many others in Nashville, and tour on the road with Ricky Van Shelton. When I'm in town I play lots of live Jazz (yes, even in Nashville!) Working in these venues as well as writing and keeping my mp3.com and web site fresh and updated keeps me a busy boy!
#6 Please list the links that you would want people to check out, like your mp3.com address, your own web pages, anything of that nature.
www.woodylingle.com
www.mp3/woodylingle
www.mp3/chadhunley
www.mp3/chrishicks
www.mp3/bobbybrewer
www.mp3/michaelsummers
www.mp3/briangorrell
www.mp3/keithhorne
Keep the Music Playing!
Errol Rackipov
#1 How has the Internet changed the way you promote your music and your efforts as a musician?
It's just great, you don't have to spent all these money for promotion, mail and etc. One click and the e-mail is sent or you got an answer much faster. You can reach great amount of people with one click... And all these cost only the Internet connection, a few bucks...
#2 Where do you see the Internet going with regards to the artist and the consumer?
I really hope It will take over, although there are a lot of sharks out there who doesn't want to see that happened.
#3 How do you find a balance between your musical activities such as practice, studying, creating and promotion?
It's very hard, to me is a matter of priorities on a daily bases, whichever is more important today.
#4 What are your current or future projects that you would like people to know about?
Well I am working on a new album more electronic oriented but with plenty of acoustic insruments and improvisations.
#5 Please list the links that you would want people to check out, like your mp3.com address, your own web pages, anything of that nature.
www.mp3/ErrolRackipov
www.fiu.edu/~rackipov/home.html
Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa would have to be my first pick for site of the month. It is a very smart looking site and well maintained. A cool feature worth checking out is "Frank Zappa, American Composer Online Documentary." He had, and continues to have, a great influence on many musicians. Besides the fact that his music was multi-directional and not very mainstream or commercial, he was not swayed by the music industry. He was one of the musicians that I noticed early in my musical development that had obvious artistic control of what he was doing. He pursued whatever interested him in a confident and defiant way and did it on his own terms. The Internet is going to be the vehicle that allows more musicians to pursue their artistic directions with the same kind of liberty that Frank did. Even though the record companies will never fade away and there will always be a current over-hyped trend, let us change that in our own collective small ways. We should demand more from ourselves as musicians and consumers. Frank was being independent before the Internet was even a possible tool for distribution and independence. Let's use it for the purpose of improving artistic standards and directions. Click here to go to the Frank Zappa web site. "Music is the Best."
Joe Zawinul and the Syndicate
**Update - October 2002**
Unfortunately, this video is no longer available.
This clip is located about 2/3 of the way down the page. The video is a bit glitchy but one can get used to it. If you dig world jazz and have been a fan of or studied Zawinul, this is definitely worth your time. As a keyboardist I learn something each and every time I check it out.
King Crimson
"The ProjeKcts"
King Crimson has been blazing the musical trail for years. They have always been on the sonic edge using technology, and have explored the extremes of orchestrated and free music. A polytonal and polyrhythmic adventure has been the hallmark of their collective efforts. Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelotto were the personnel of King Crimson prior to "The ProjeKcts". Rather than break up and cease to exist for a period of time, the six-piece group has broken down into sub-groups, or fractals, for "The ProjeKcts". The aim of the fractals is to act as research and development for the greater Crimson and create the next generation of Crimson music. King Crimson is not only a great band but they have also established a concept for approaching music. "The ProjeKcts" is a 4-disc box set.
The first disc is "Live At The Jazz Cafe" featuring Tony Levin, Trey Gunn, Bill Bruford and Robert Fripp. Collective improvisation is the musical direction. The balance of interaction, leading and being supportive is a marvel. Only musicians with command of their instruments and musical maturity could pull this off. Imagine chamber musicians playing free jazz with the intensity of a rock band. Worth a listen.
The second disc was actually the first fractal group. This sub-group consists of Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn. "Live Groove" adds a bit more structure along with the freedom of spontaneous composition. It's really a great example of like-minded musicians making music together. What really got my attention was Adrian Belew's drumming. I have always known that he played drums, but this disc has him holding down the drum chair all on his own. Adrian is generally known for his guitar gymnastics and his vocal style. Impressive performance by all with special notice given to Adrian. "Wow !"
The third disc is "Masque". This sub-group is Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto. Another interesting angle in the collective creative process. This disc explores the use of free playing, predetermined loops and the use of cut-and-paste after the live performance to present an organic, futuristic, ambient adventure. Keeping with the tradition of King Crimson, this is another great effort. You have to respect musicians who are pushing their growth as artists.
The fourth disc is "West Coast Live". The combination of members for this disc is Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto. Very similar to the sound and direction of the other three discs. The fourth disc follows the direction of using technology to enhance their improvisational efforts. To be able to pull off free music with this much cohesiveness is truly an amazing accomplishment.
Instead of breaking up the band, this effort will no doubt lead to a new development in the King Crimson sound. To create music as a unit with such freedom will set the standard for all improvisational groups of the future. "The ProjeKcts" is a collection of music worth the time to check out.
Click here to learn more about "The ProjeKcts"
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