Feature & Reviews – Vol.4
FIDGET – What’s on Your Tube
The advent of YouTube brought us a variety of home produced videos making us both laugh and incite creativity. As the portal’s viewership grew, many people began to see the marketing potential especially for music videos and voila, everyone from the big record labels to indie artists started uploading their materials. Company founders, Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim were aware of their gold mine and recently sold the company to Google for a modest sum of 650 million dollars worth of Google stock in November 2006. Remarkably, this simple idea proved advantageous. However, it is suspected that it might also be lucrative for those who own copyrighted materials.
Fidget, an alternative rock band from Germany who have two albums under their belt called “The Merciless Beauty“ (2005) and “Celebrate Another Day Living” (2003) saw the promotional value in presenting itself on YouTube an addition to other conventional sources such as MTV Europe. Rhythm guitar player, Thomas Jeske, explains that, “we spent 100 Euros filming ‘Ride My Track’ at a friend’s house party and naturally we wanted everyone to see it. YouTube was another option….it is just one tool in a box of several tools that have to be used together”. To date, 2 650 people have watched the video according to the stats counter and Jeske also stresses that “there are definitely enough people getting to us by watching the videos”. Similarly, one can find live footage of the band’s performance at the Woodstock festival in Poland (2004). Clearly, the portal is excellent because the on-line audience is extraordinarily large.
As mentioned, promotion is a big part of YouTube and musicians like Fidget have taken up the opportunity. However, some argue that YouTube is a platform for piracy. On one hand, those who upload materials that they do not own such a television programming are villains and should not only be removed but YouTube should pay compensation to the true material owners. One the other hand, those accused of piracy are hardly pirates at all. In fact, they are the ideal promoters of the programming itself where everyone ultimately benefits. Although both arguments are compelling according to laws or business goals, this debate has been the pinnacle of discussion for the company since it’s inception in 2004. Unfortunately, it was recently demanded that they remove a significant number of files from their database and develop a payment scheme for material owners. Jeske claims that, “this is great, lucky as we are…” This is ideal for the starving artist because it is more bread in their basket.
Fidget who were once signed to Supermusic, will complete a third album as their own production this time. Jeske notes that, “there was a certain need within the band to get back to zero, record everything ourselves and handle everything just the way we decide it, even if it is a lot of hard work”. To be an independent artist is an accomplishment and a financial privilege. Income possibilities stem from previous royalty payments, touring, on-line micro sales (MP3s) via ITunes and now the possibility to recoup payments from video on YouTube. This will foster true independence, artistic control, maintenance of copyright and as a result, we may see the demise of the record label itself, where labels become publishing or marketing companies who are approached for their field expertise in this area only. Of course, a band needs initial investment capital in order to reach this level of evolution.
ALBUM REVIEWS
The Beatles —- “Revolver”
From Liverpool, The Beatles hail from the 60’s British invasion scene and became one of the most influential bands of all time. Headed by Paul McCartney and the late John Lennon, were inspired by Blues, pop and the Motown craze. They have put out numerous albums in their day and each member eventually embarked on their own solo career. “Revolver” however, for many seems to be one of the best albums by the band with the following songs: ‘Tomorrow never Knows’, ‘Got to get you into my Life’, and ‘Yellow Submarine’. The album itself is composed of pop songs experimenting with unconventional sounds of the day. To the new listener today, this may sound funny but it is true. Also, many current bands today love to recreate this sound, which maybe described as a raw, untamed feel. The Beatles sound, lyrics and reputation is respected and influenced by many contemporary musicians. The band also brought us Apple records, which recorded all their music and has consistently made problems for the computer giant Apple in the USA.
The Organ —- “Grab That Gun”
The Organ have a sound comparable to the early Smiths, Joy Division and the general new wave movement from the 1980s prevails. In a modern setting we can call them an electro pop act who write addictive songs that make you want to dance. At times, I often wonder if they are from Scandinavia or at least, this genre seems to be very big over there especially in Sweden these days. However, The Organ are from Vancouver. Their rhythms, and percussion are rather powerful and the following songs are a delight: ‘Brother’, ‘Love, Love, Love’, ‘Basement Band Song’, ‘Sinking Hearts’, and ‘Sudden Death’. The band has toured all over Canada, Usa and Europe. I am not a particular fan of this band but I see a lot of potential in the songs that I liked from “Grab That Gun”.
The Tears —- “Here Come the Tears”
The Tears are composed of Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler, both of whom have been and are lead vocalists of the British band called Suede. As we know, Suede is famous for their melodrama and melancholy. They wrote songs specializing on the topic of love and love’s destruction. Bernard Butler left Suede at the height of their success to pursue solo projects. Brett Anderson filled his shoes and did an excellent job as well. The Tears however, are a good match and this album is for all fans of the genre. The single releases for this album are ‘Refugees’ and ‘Lovers’. Another great song that I enjoy personally is called, ‘Ghost of You’. As you can imagine, the songs are dark, monotonous and full of soothing melodies. Also, relationships set the tone once again.
Mansun —- “Little Kixx”
Chester, England, brings us Mansun who have been making music since 1995 and churn out sweeping melodies associated with the melodrama genre. Others from this genre are Suede, Pulp and perhaps Radiohead but they are much heavier. Mansun falls in the same group as Suede. Actually, Mansun have alot in common with the New Romantic era with Duran Duran, David Bowie for example. Songs that really stand out from “Little Kixx” are: ‘Love Is…’, ‘Butterfly (A New Beginning)’, ‘Soundtrack 4 2 Lovers’,‘Comes as No Surprise’, ‘Electric Man’ . Apparently, this album was recorded in a studio on a boat owned by Pink Floyd where sounds of orchestral grandeur often known as epic or anthem are explored in ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Electric Man’. To date, the band has a back catalogue of five albums and seventeen singles from 1995 to 2004.
Sloan —- “Sloan”
From the port city of Halifax in Canada, Sloan is the country’s equivalent to Oasis. They encompass a sound of garage, mod, 1960s soul, and alternative rock. They have been recording since 1992, and have inspired others in the alternative scene such as The Gruesome, The Datson Four, Les Minstrels and so on. Consistently, Sloan has turned out albums with grooven singles. In fact, they have 12 albums under their belt. It is reported that while on Geffen records, their second album called “Twice Removed” did not get promoted and Spin magazine is quoted as claiming that the album was, “the best album you didn’t hear in 1992”. How bizarre? That’s politics for you but we don’t care because Sloan is great. The songs I like from this album are: ‘Suppose They Close the Door’, ‘Money City Maniacs‘, ‘She Says What She Means‘, ‘Sinking Ships‘ and ‘I’m Not Through with You Yet‘.
