Blog entry

What is it about popularity that brings out the venom in people, and musicians in particular?

As a singer/songwriter (and I am sure other musicians can relate), it takes a lot to make me become a fan of anything musical, particularly the current fare, which as of late, has been completely uninspired, over processed and commercialized.

Yes, musicians are harsh critics, judging with a criteria that the average person does not. I've actually heard a fellow artist disavow a singer for sliding into his vocals, and another, for utilizing a crescendo as opposed to a decrescendo in a popular song.

And pop? Forget about it! No musician worth their salt would ever confess to listening to any of the current radio popping hits .

In this regard, I am an anomaly.

Don't get me wrong, I am passionate about music, and I don't care for fluff, but some pop is downright likable, and, I feel, if it is well crafted, who cares if it's earth shattering?

Like what you want to like, from the bubble gum, to the silly, to the banal, to the most ostentatious and over wrought.

Why the hate?

My own personal likes or dislikes shouldn't dictate what others gravitate towards, or make me deem myself smarter or more worthy of esteem, no matter how right I know I am ;-).

Fellow performers deem my outlook somewhat traitorous, as they are big fans of the old rock, from Zeppelin to Fleetwood Mac, Hendrix or Floyd, and...well, let's just say, anything from the seventies and back. In an effort to remain true to these roots, they shun new music to the point of the ridiculous.

A mistake.

While yes, I concur that many of today's samplings, tend to lean towards over hyped, force fed tripe, there are new bands who offer something that can be enjoyed for years to come.

My dark soul embraces Goth rocker's Evanescence's style and even Sheryl Crow (she is an amazing lyricist and her music is honest and forthcoming), however, my all time modern day fave is HIM. The Finnish gents touched me with WINGS OF THE BUTTERFLY, and my husband and I have been hooked ever since.

Why? I suppose when so much new rock is broody, angry or "I don't care, fuck off" posturing, Ville and the Gang can get as edgy as the next guy, but the stuff is primarily spiritual and says something more than that the typical "My girl/guy is a bitch/bastard" screamo crap.

The leader singer, Ville and I are both Scorps as well, so maybe we have similar outlooks (human beings as a rule, tend to be drawn to our own likeness), leading to a feeling of kinship, be it real or imagined...

I can also identify with the poetry of his writing -- there is a sincerity of perspective, a realness to his work, that is sorely lacking in acts that are just trying to emulate groups that made a million dollars last year.

Yes my lovelies, HIM rawks and it doesn't hurt that front man Ville Valo is one dude, outside of the hubby of course, who is hotter than a Georgia Summer!

Their audacity at being different inspires me to continue my own musical path, despite the neigh Sayers, and that's what makes me think they will be around long after even the likable pop stuff, has faded into distant memory…