I spent much of last week writing, editing, and rewriting my seven month overdue “Ask Wil Wheaton Anything Part Deux” answers for Slashdot. I don’t want to steal /.’s thunder, but I just happened upon something that supports one of my answers, so I’m going to steal just a tiny little bit right now.
I was asked a question about doing creative things without getting crushed by “the system” in the process. Part of my answer is:
Here is the most important thing I can tell you: You do not need the so-called traditional channels of distribution to get your work to an audience, and you’ll probably be happier and more successful by not going through those channels. I’ve done it both ways, and self-publishing and distributing was more fun, more creatively satisfying, and much more financially rewarding than the indescribably frustrating process of doing it the other way.
Because I’m so picky about music, I’ve always relied on word of mouth to find new stuff that doesn’t suck. Ten years ago, I spent a lot of time wading through a bunch of crap on KXLU or Rodney on the Roq, hoping to discover a couple of good new bands, and occasionally I’d luck out with a great opening act at a concert, (like when I saw Redd Kross open for The Butthole Surfers way back in 1992, or CornMo open for They Might Be Giants last year). In this Brave New World of media consolidation, it should be harder than ever to find new stuf . . . but thanks to The Internets, the opposite is true. Earlier today, I came upon a band called AeonSpoke. GrapeJuicePlus describes them as “a bit of Radiohead, a bit of Blur, a lot of good stuff.” I couldn’t agree more. The band has made a couple of their tracks available as MP3 files on their website. Here are my two favorites:
Ten years ago, I never would have found out about this band, or been able to buy their music, unless a major label picked them up — and they’re from right here in California! Thanks to The Internets, this band has been able to take the traditional means of distribution out of the equation, and bring their music directly to me, the audience. That is why this whole revolution is so goddamn cool.
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Do you know you have a fan from Ireland…
If you didn’t…well you do now. I talked to him.
Hmm..anyways, I read your book. It was funny. I liked the part about how one of your step kids burnt the pop corn. i did that..it was supposed to be 3 minutes and i put it on for 30.
go here xanga.com/ixheartxpain AND xanga.com/greensocks777
–Nikki and Shauna
Wow, Aeon Spoke is really good. Thanks for turning me on to them, Wil.
Definitely a lot of Radiohead and Blur influences in there to hear, as well as a bunch of other really neat stuff.
Would love to see you make a list of music you recommend… Being so picky about what you listen to makes you a pretty good source.
I totally agree. Just a few weeks ago I stumbled across a band called Moxy Fruvous, and I think they’re pretty cool, and definately funny. Since then I’ve looked in every music shop I could find to see if they had Moxy’s CDs, but no one around here has even heard of them. Without the internet I’d never have heard of them either, which would be a terrible waste. There’s so much great stuff out there which I never would have known about, like you.
Have you ever heard of the Kottonmouth Kings? They didn’t want to be censored, so they do their own cd’s and such too. I was introduced to them by a friend. They are all for the freedom of smoking pot, which I totally don’t agree with and NO! Before I get slammed for that statment by the masses, I am not speaking out of turn here. I did my time in the heavens with the wacky weed and though it was only 4 months of my young life, it was the WORST four months of my young life. Got used for sex, alienated my family, nearly got my tush busted SEVERAL times…yeah. Been there. It made me feel like white trash and though I don’t think I’m above them, I am not one of them and don’t like feeling like I am. Didn’t like it, don’t support it. Got better things to do with my $20.
Anyway…
The Kottonmouth Kings actually have good music. They are three or four white dudes. They all rap and it isn’t Eminim/Kidrock “I’m angry at the world” rap and it isn’t gansta “I have to kill to keep food in my 5 kids, who all have different mama’s, mouths” They have things to say and say them well. They can also sing. Hard to find a rapper that can rap AND sing. Anywho, their best song is Positive Vibes. Take a listen to it sometime. It’s pretty awesome.
Well found, Unc.
We need to talk.
–AJ
Thanks for the great music tip Wil. Downloaded the 2 files you upped. These guys are definitely worth another look.
And THIS is what a decentralized network can do for independant artists without resorting to prostituting themselves to corporates that couldn’t give a rats a$$.
I couldn’t agree more about the Do-It-Yourself creative process…when the band I’m in decided to do a CD we:
1. Did some gigs to raise money for studio time (and hone the songs).
2. Did a few days in the studio but got them to give us the raw audio back on about a zillion DVDs.
3. Used many and varied computers to perform any extra overdubs, mixing etc. (so the outlay is time) then paid for some mastering and reproduction (the only big “from our own pockets” outlay)
4. Sell through our web site (www.moeker.com if anyone’s interested), cdbaby, etc. etc. and become incredibly rich and famous, etc, etc.
(We’re transitioning from 3 to 4 at the mo)
Anyways, no record company, no one telling you what to do and the whole process is just *FUN*, dammit. 🙂 On the downside I think it takes an incredible amount of discipline to do things this way – you really have to have a need, the time and often a bit of cash up front to make it happen.
Would love to see a list of your current favourites Wil, but don’t like your view. Yeah, some bands do suck, but you can’t write off the possibility that you might enjoy just one song of that sucky band.
Although I have personal favourites and am probably just as picky as you, I could probably cite at least one song from every major music genre you could throw at me that I genuinely love.
It also doesn’t take away from the fact that you might not like someones music but may still respect them for their talent or songwriting. Just saying someone or something sucks is way too sweeping.
Would love to see a list of your current favourites Wil, but don’t like your view. Yeah, some bands do suck, but you can’t write off the possibility that you might enjoy just one song of that sucky band.
Although I have personal favourites and am probably just as picky as you, I could probably cite at least one song from every major music genre you could throw at me that I genuinely love.
It also doesn’t take away from the fact that you might not like someones music but may still respect them for their talent or songwriting. Just saying someone or something sucks is way too sweeping.
You know, sometimes I hate my computer! Sorry for the double post!
I will check out the bands you mentioned. I love hearing about great music…I picked up an Ataris CD because you’ve talked about them, and I like it alot. You might want to check out areyoulistening.com; it’s a new initiative to get independent music heard. WFS is a supporter (seriously).
A GREAT site for finding new music is http://3hive.com – I can’t count how many great bands/artists I have found by reading 3hive.
brian
http://shesaid-hesaid.com (Podcast)
http://podcaststickers.com
Corn Mo was awesome. His story about following his dream to play accordian was pretty inspiring. I’d like to buy him a beer someday.
I have enjoyed reading your blog for, I guess years now, and have finally gotten around to posting a comment.
Regarding excellent music available online and in the spirit of doing it yourself and also for the geek in all of us, I highly recommend you check out Jonathan Coulton’s work at http://www.jonathancoulton.com
I hope you enjoy what you find there…
Great music.
If you aren’t already, make sure to keep an eye on the new arrivals at CDBaby.com (http://cdbaby.com/new). Lots of indie bands distribute online through the store, and pretty much all of them have sound samples. It’d be nice if CD Baby offered the new arrivals list in RSS format, but they don’t.
Wil,
Good music is good music.
FG
Hey Wil,
For some “interesting” new music, check out http://www.grilch.com.
Grilch is better known as … Dave. He’s a brilliant musician who spends years putting together a CD and then gives them away for free. You can d/l all his songs ala mp3. It doesn’t suck.
AB