On Music, Today
hm….
“There is really no such thing as a musical avant-garde, because enough people are now so ready and desperate for ‘difference’ that nothing experimental stays on the margins. The speed at which information can be disseminated about music forces anybody with something resembling originality to be quickly brought to the zenith of their popularity. Thus their career is prematurely terminated, or more accurately, frozen. Hence the search goes on. Anything now is acceptable, such is the need for novelty. It has revealed that there was never taste, just habits. Now there are only waves of enthusiasm that break and sink into the sand, in endless procession.”
— Squarepusher Interview from i-D Magazine, March 2004.
What do you perceive as avant-garde music today..?
hmm…
hmmm….
This brings up issues of what popular is? With exposure being more possible because of the internet, all types of strange and odd bands can find an audience. An audience. And they can go on tour! But that doesn’t mean they all become massively popular and rise to stardom, then burn out fast.
I liked the way the argument was going, then the end seemed misguided, overly general (and not sure who all these artists are that he is referring to), and pessimistic.
I do agree that accessibility can be greater due to the internet, but that doesn’t mean that makes experimental music more accessible and “nothing experimental stays on the margins.” I know from experience, and from observation, that people still crave and want familiarity.
The shows that sell out are indie-pop, NOT avant-gaurde. I’ve been to these shows and I’ve been a part of them. True, some people do want novelty, but only if it’s wrapped up in a likable package that at least flirts with pop sensibility.
I can think of a ton of avant-garde artists who only have a small niche audience, and everybody knows they are not going to get picked up by some huge label and rise to stardom, nor do they want to. I can barely think of any that are on MTV. Dan Deacon? But I believe he’s only relatively popular amongst a niche. Maybe Bjork is an example? She didn’t fade fast that’s for sure.
I certainly don’t think that demand cancels supply, as he suggested. I can think of many who have long lasting careers that remain always on the fringe. At the least, there will always be a place for the the classical avant-garde. And that will never be mass marketed.
John Cage and Phillip Glass are names that come to mind– the masses are most likely familiar with them. But they certainly weren’t “quickly brought to the zenith of their popularity… [and] their career is prematurely terminated, or more accurately, frozen.”
I will say that the “avant-garde” or “experimental”, as terms, have been hijacked and misrepresented in mass media. Or bits and pieces will be kidnapped for something that is not truly innovative in spirit. I can think of a few local bands labeled as such that are fundamentally pop. Not saying I don’t like them, in fact, I most likely very much do revel in it.
But! Perhaps because of a lack of exposure to real musical experimentation, and an excess of standard generic bands, the concept of experimental is warped or rather, relative. In that, something that has novel elements but fundamentally predictable progressions and general pop sensibility, will be tagged “experimental”. Where the truly experimental in form and function, will often be tagged “out there” by the mainstream, and will only speak to a small open minded audience seeking out such a thing. This could easily become a semantics discussion.
I would like to note here that experimental pop does exists and they do not have to counter act each other in content. Arthur Russell sought to be a part of this bridge. But let us note here, Arthur Russell’s audiences were VERY small. He’s gaining popularity now, but that is only relative niche popularity (especially with the documentary that came out). The majority of people have not even heard of him. This is a modern reality. Avant-garde music does still exist, and usually only for a small audience.
I do admire the poetic nature of his argument.
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