--Cyril Connolly, English intellectual, literary critic, and writer (1903-1974)
When I first started this blog in March of 2008 I wrote about the bands I enjoyed, the bands I saw, and the music that I listened to. I was writing for myself. I wasn't getting press inquires from band's firms, venues, and labels. I didn't have a Twitter or a Facebook page to plug when I made a new post. I wasn't influenced by what was popular. I went to shows and wrote about my experience. I wrote reviews and said what I thought. I posted news and tour dates. I posted photos of myself with bands. I plugged all the WSOU events, interviews, or happenings I felt like plugging. There was no pressure to write for anyone or impress anyone. I wasn't scared to call something boring, though it did hurt when bands would get offended. I was excited to write about my experiences and thoughts, mostly about bands I liked. The words would come pretty easily to me, too. It was my outlet to take my music fandom to another level. It was fun to me and I was so dedicated.
But today, I receive emails from bands, labels, and publicity firms asking me to review their music, see them at a show, post a video, or whatever. Today, I have music Twitter and Facebook pages to plug my posts. Today I am overwhelmed by all the press inquiries and email I receive as a result. Today I feel like I have
to impress everyone. I feel pressured if I don't write about a band or that I'm ignoring a band if I don't get back to someone. Now, when I write I feel trite, boring (yes, I call myself boring, too), and often can't think of much more to say than "awesome." It's difficult writing when you're asked to cover so much music. The reason I started this blog was because I wanted to promote the music I liked--the bands I discovered on my own through mixtapes, concerts, magazines, online articles, recommendations by friends, etc, not overly verbose, unfocused press pitches and releases that are impersonal, filled with press quotes that mean nothing to me, and lack sophistication. It's just too much. So I've taken a break. I know my lack of posts and plugging has cost me readers, but at the point at which this feels like a job, it's time for a break. I need to re-focus.
There is so much I want to write about and eventually will. Like, Big Eyes recently released a killer LP called "Hard Life" that apparently is selling like crazy and currently sold out for a little bit while Don Giovanni Records gets more in. There's news on the amazing La Dispute's sophomore album, sure not to be a sophomore slump if their single is any indication. What got me into La Dispute was the rawness and vulnerable lyrics. I could write an essay of their first album if I just sat down and focused. The way they touch on fear and love intermixed with their post-hardcore / spoken word style is breathtaking. Then there's Circle Takes the Square upcoming release and new EP. And this is just the beginning. There's also the new awesome new The Shondes LP on Exotic Fever Records, Run For Covers compilation vinyl, RVIVR's upcoming EP on Yo-Yo Records and much more. It's an exciting time. There's so much good new music out or coming out that I'd love to write about, but when I'm ready. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week or longer. I'm not sure. Just be patient. I appreciate everyone that has read this so post so far and who follow my blog. It means a lot.
I have plenty of time on my hands now since I'm not working so often. Hooray for having an events based job. But in the meanwhile I've been researching press plants for a potential upcoming vinyl release, working on a photo zine of my best live band shots, thinking of starting a short punk rock comic stripe (if only I can draw better), and other music and non-music related projects. I want to take more control of what I want to cover. I don't want to completely say that I don't want press inquiries, but at the same time, please understand if I don't write back or aren't interested. I try to make time for everything but sometimes you just have to weed out the crap and focus on what drives you.
Take care everyone.
-Star
to impress everyone. I feel pressured if I don't write about a band or that I'm ignoring a band if I don't get back to someone. Now, when I write I feel trite, boring (yes, I call myself boring, too), and often can't think of much more to say than "awesome." It's difficult writing when you're asked to cover so much music. The reason I started this blog was because I wanted to promote the music I liked--the bands I discovered on my own through mixtapes, concerts, magazines, online articles, recommendations by friends, etc, not overly verbose, unfocused press pitches and releases that are impersonal, filled with press quotes that mean nothing to me, and lack sophistication. It's just too much. So I've taken a break. I know my lack of posts and plugging has cost me readers, but at the point at which this feels like a job, it's time for a break. I need to re-focus.
There is so much I want to write about and eventually will. Like, Big Eyes recently released a killer LP called "Hard Life" that apparently is selling like crazy and currently sold out for a little bit while Don Giovanni Records gets more in. There's news on the amazing La Dispute's sophomore album, sure not to be a sophomore slump if their single is any indication. What got me into La Dispute was the rawness and vulnerable lyrics. I could write an essay of their first album if I just sat down and focused. The way they touch on fear and love intermixed with their post-hardcore / spoken word style is breathtaking. Then there's Circle Takes the Square upcoming release and new EP. And this is just the beginning. There's also the new awesome new The Shondes LP on Exotic Fever Records, Run For Covers compilation vinyl, RVIVR's upcoming EP on Yo-Yo Records and much more. It's an exciting time. There's so much good new music out or coming out that I'd love to write about, but when I'm ready. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week or longer. I'm not sure. Just be patient. I appreciate everyone that has read this so post so far and who follow my blog. It means a lot.
I have plenty of time on my hands now since I'm not working so often. Hooray for having an events based job. But in the meanwhile I've been researching press plants for a potential upcoming vinyl release, working on a photo zine of my best live band shots, thinking of starting a short punk rock comic stripe (if only I can draw better), and other music and non-music related projects. I want to take more control of what I want to cover. I don't want to completely say that I don't want press inquiries, but at the same time, please understand if I don't write back or aren't interested. I try to make time for everything but sometimes you just have to weed out the crap and focus on what drives you.
Take care everyone.
-Star
This makes me think that perhaps some of the bands should be behaving a little better. From my perspective, as someone who doesn't expect anyone to get back to me about my music, I'm delighted when someone does, and when they don't, they don't, and that's it. If people like your stuff, they will come, etc., and pressuring someone to help you PR-wise is probably the worst idea in the entire world.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy, Star, and don't take any shit!
It's not the bands, it's the publicity firms. They are the ones being annoying. I love getting emails from bands, they do it better than any PR person I've been in touch with. I'm delighted when I hear from some of my favorites and some new ones as well. Overall, though I want maybe 20 percent of what I cover to come from inquiries and the rest to be whatever the heck I want to cover.
ReplyDelete