Music as it should be...
It has me nearly in tears to know that I was able to participate in what I truely believe music SHOULD be on the last day of the conference. At about 5:00AM in the hallway of the 4th floor of the Hilton, a group of musicians sat and played, sang, and beat their heart out in an acoustic jam session. I dare someone to tell me that's not the way a music conference SHOULD be.
It shouldn't be stabbings outside the hotel, boyfriends being beaten with beer bottles, vandalism, pulled fire alarms, and various destructive psycho-dramas. That stuff makes me ill. It's the kind of stuff that kills what could have been an all around awe inspiring gathering of talent and progressive musical cooperation. I'm all for dissonance, but not that kind.
Instead of all that garbage, I choose to reflect upon about 20 musicians pounding out "What I got" in an almost West Side Story fashion, and even the 30 or 40 musicians singing Christmas carols outside of certain bands' hotel rooms. I'll be laughing for years at the image of a fellow who looks an aweful lot like the comedian, Carrot Top, running around the hotel in what looked like a wet suit, and the fella walking around with the receiver of a telephone to his ear. (That was the band, The Great American...) I can't help but think "Call 1-800-call-ATT..."
At any rate... photos from the conference are in the works. They have been delayed a bit due to a little bit of white stuff... And it's snowing again as I type this...
Outside-the-box ideas...
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost
If you hadn't noticed already, there's a change to the menu over there to your left.
The February 2003 featured artist was chosen for a number of reasons... First and foremost was the band's dedication to supporting and enriching the local music scene. Their work within the music community has benefitted not just their band, but many others as well. They have not always taken the easiest or quickest route... They choose the roads less travelled in an all-out effort to "do it right." The article is an in-depth profile of Weapons For Peace.
My next action is to get us all in a room together and begin to make things happen. If you are interested in participating in a town hall meeting type of event, please email me (angela@thelab-pa.com) and I will put you on a mailing list to keep you up to date on what may be happening and when. As of right now, I'm thinking that we will start off with a meeting sometime in April.
Please continue to check out the message board for some of the ideas already generated, and to add yours!
NEW! A series of articles on the re-birth of a local band has begun. The articles are being written by a new contributor to the site, Maynard. Check them out under the COLUMNS section of the site!
I dream that we are a destination rather than a starting point. Is there anyone out here that is up for a challenge and willing to put into it more than you expect to get out of it? What could happen if we all got together as a music community and did the things that make people listen? If we build it, will they come? This is NOT a rhetorical rant... this is more or less a call to arms. I cannot do this alone. I need your help. Please help pool ideas on the message board!
Have you ever dreamed of meeting your favorite band? You can do just that in any of the local venues that supports original music... or at a music conference... when one of the bands you're experiencing for the first time becomes your favorite band.
I cannot even begin to explain the euphoria you can experience at a music conference. The first ever IMC 2003, Independent Musicians Conference will take place in Philladelphia August 28th - 31st, 2003. See the official site for details: http://www.IMC2003.com.
Following that conference,will be the second annual Dewey Beach Music Festival and Conference (http://www.deweybeachfest.com/) September 25-28 and the CMJ in New York shortly thereafter. There is a section of the message board for music conferences. If you know of any I haven't listed, or more details about the ones I have, PLEASE POST THEM!
That's all for now, folks...but many, many more updates and reviews are forthcoming! I have photos and stories from MMC7 to share... I'll see you out there!
Oh... by the way... I've posted a few new reviews and my first rant of 2003 in the Reviews section. Be sure to leave me feedback on the message board. Good, bad, or indifferent... More reviews, etc to come. See you out there! - Ang
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