Wages and Benefits Can Wait
Musings on the Modern State of Music
I’m on a train to Baltimore to see Oso Oso, a band I’ve seen more times that I can remember. I’ve seen them in the last year more than the average person sees a show. I coincidentally never record their songs, which is funny because I’ve been trying to document at least one song from every band I see live now. Going to live shows, for me, is as close to religion as it gets. Apparently, it is even life extending.
Conducted by O2 and behavioral science expert Patrick Fagan and reported by NME, the study finds that regular concert attendance can increase one’s lifespan by up to nine years.
It’s debatable whether those nine extra years will be worth it, but as long as we get new bands I think it will be. How do we keep getting new bands?
There will always be people with a need to create art. AI in music recording has been around for a while and it’s not going away. It will just be another tool for artists to create. I already see mid-level touring bands who play to backing tracks. I saw a young artist opening for the Beths who played an electric guitar with the rest of the instruments tracked.
That’s not really a future I look forward to, but I do appreciate people’s ability to get their art out there at any cost. People responded well to it as well, bedroom pop is a huge genre right now. Pool Kids, another newer band who put out my ‘22 album of the year, show that bands will continue to innovate and exist as bands.
That said, as much as I love Oso Oso, I’m saddened that State Lines is dead. Oso Oso is essentially Jade Lilitri’s solo project with a revolving door of touring musicians. Jade is one of the best songwriters in the realm of indie rock, punk, alternative rock and emo. Not only does he have finely crafted songs, his lyrics are introspective and sweet. Few people have his ability to write a great hook. Even fewer can couple it with truly great lyrics. It’s awesome to see the success he has cultivated after a decade plus of hard work.
I would be lying, however, if I said I didn’t miss the way State Lines developed as a band over their too short lifespan. Bands are collaborative in nature. Musicians develop a rapport on stage and in the studio. By their very nature, bands create an editorial atmosphere. What sounds great to you in your bedroom is easily identifiable as a riff lifted from one of your favorite bands. Little notes help you push your songwriting in a new direction. Different songwriters bring different sounds, even in the same band.
Being in a band has always been difficult. Doug Martsch, ringleader of Built to Spill, has famously had a revolving door of band members in a relatively successful 30+ year career. He is the principle songwriter. Even Doug will tell you the benefits of a stable line-up.
“I do think that Built to Spill could be something better than ever just because our lineup is better than ever.” - Doug Martsch
So, why do so many people “go it alone?”
Being in a touring band was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. It was expensive and demoralizing. You deal with unreliable people. Unethical promoters profit from your hard work. A lot of venues aren’t much better. I’ve been very fortunate to work with so many awesome venues and promoters, but I’ve had some really questionable experiences as well.
The music industry is one of the most predatory industries in creative arts. Coming in at a whopping $15.9b last year, the RIAA reported the 7th consecutive year of growth. It’s a big time money maker for SOME people.
If there’s that much money floating around, why aren’t MORE people getting involved in being in a band? David Lowery, of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven fame, has a fantastic article that breaks down the misery of touring better than I ever could. Honestly, I think any music lover should read that just to get an idea of how bleak things are for even successful artists.
Being in a band as a commercial venture is almost assuredly a losing venture. The ongoing writer’s strike got me to thinking… “What if musicians had unionized?” There are two musician unions, but they primarily cater to major label artists. It certainly isn’t accessible to the rank and file that are the foundation of every genre of music you enjoy.
I think it is wonderful anytime a friend is able to make a living being an artist. If you read the Dr. Lowery article I linked above (and seriously, you should read it in full), you’ll know that the sale of music is one of the best revenue streams for bands. And even that is always under attack, from low level touring acts to Taylor Swift.
I know that those friends usually work multiple jobs and suffer harsh living conditions. I know that drug use is rampant as a coping mechanism. I know that the music industry grinder claims more than just the dream. We have made suffering the default setting in America and it has lead to my religion being under attack. Healthcare and stable living conditions are luxuries most people in bands aren’t afforded even with a “day job.”
How can we expect people to have time to dedicate to an art form that takes a massive commitment when they can barely afford to eat and have a place to live?
I am excited to see Jade crush it on another sold out tour opening for The Gaslight Anthem. But I know the cost he has paid to get there and it makes me wonder why we make it so hard. So what I will leave with today is this, go see a local band. See the low level touring bands. See live music whenever you can. It will literally save your life.
And now, here’s some music for you: