does music have any real purpose anymore?

[err_eur]

what hasn't been done? Is anyone really even listening anymore? Music seems to be just a fashion accessory nowadays, and there is too much emphasis on image and posture, popular appeal, even within the so-called "experimental" or abstract scenes. It's all so damn fake, fickle, and soul-less anymore. For the past 3 years my inspiration has steadily waned, in both creating and listening to music of all genres and non-genres.

and I have really begun to realize that most so-called artists and musicians i meet are the most egotistical, narcissistic, MEAN, ARROGANT people who think they are on a more elevated platform than everyone else, and that their existence is a gift to the world. DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR.
IN OTHER WORDS most musicians I meet are the biggest assholes. Most of them are more concerned with making money, getting laid, and being ADORED and recognized as "a musician" or "an artist" than actually creating. And barely any artists seem to support other artists outside their group or circle, everyone is all about promoting their own shit.

And also, everything has become so trend-oriented and clique-ish. If you don't hook up with this or that crew, conform to what's hip, and dress and act a certain way, in other words SELL OUT and kiss ass, you will never get anywhere.

[stinky]

damn, you sound jaded... err_fatale, is that you?

[M. Bréqs]

And barely any artists seem to support other artists outside their group or circle, everyone is all about promoting their own shit.

Dude, this has been the bane of my existance. I tried like a bastard to get into the breaks community in Montreal, but it was really difficult. Don't get me wrong, I met some cool people, but getting gigs was all about whether you were in their "crew".

And also, everything has become so trend-oriented and clique-ish. If you don't hook up with this or that crew, conform to what's hip, and dress and act a certain way, in other words SELL OUT and kiss ass, you will never get anywhere.

Ain't it the truth. But don't think for a minute that this is new. It's been this way since the creation of rock n' roll. Do you think the rolling stones hung around with squares? fuck no.

But, maybe we've seen an opportunity. Seek out the losers, rejects, hasbeens and wannabes in your community. Get together and do your shit together. Throw a "reject night" at a venue. Nobody comes to the show? Fuck it, who cares? Revel in your reject status, and before you know it, you're the new clique and people are telling you that your turds smell like chocolate.

[rbro]

sounds lke an opportunity to me

[palimpsest73]

It would be a mistake to let the attitudes of a few people you don't respect, dictate your whole outlook regarding something you seem to feel passionate about. Yeah, we live in a image-conscious, superficial, consumerist society. Sure, it's depressing to see music becoming nothing more than the next cool accessory for your cell phone, or sucked into the general morass of focus grouped to hell attempts to sell us what they think the "kids" are into... but why focus on that shit? does anything (or more specifically) any "art" have any meaning anymore?

The world has far more pressing matters these days than the bedroom rantings of a pop culture playa-hater. War, ecological demise, race/class divide, poverty, disease are all going to top your list.

Don't get me wrong, I mostly agree with just about everything you said. I just don't think sulking about it on this forum is the way to go. If you have something to contribute, you will find your way and place. I struggle daily with everything you mentioned, I live in one of the most cliquish, trend-hoppinist, back-stabbinest cess pools of unmerited narcisscism that you'll ever find. I struggle to find humanity and decency on a daily basis. Yes, it's often taxing beyond belief, but I also know enough not to necessarily expect that of others.

Keep your head up and don't let this petty shit get to you. Just do you and things will eventually fall in place.

what hasn't been done? Is anyone really even listening anymore? Music seems to be just a fashion accessory nowadays, and there is too much emphasis on image and posture, popular appeal, even within the so-called "experimental" or abstract scenes. It's all so damn fake, fickle, and soul-less anymore. For the past 3 years my inspiration has steadily waned, in both creating and listening to music of all genres and non-genres.

and I have really begun to realize that most so-called artists and musicians i meet are the most egotistical, narcissistic, MEAN people who think they are on a more elevated platform than everyone else, and that their existence is a gift to the world. DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR.
IN OTHER WORDS most musicians I meet are the biggest assholes. Most of them are more concerned with making money, getting laid, and being ADORED and recognized as "a musician" or "an artist" than actually creating. And barely any artists seem to support other artists outside their group or circle, everyone is all about promoting their own shit.

And also, everything has become so trend-oriented and clique-ish. If you don't hook up with this or that crew, conform to what's hip, and dress and act a certain way, in other words SELL OUT and kiss ass, you will never get anywhere.

[njh]

what hasn't been done? Is anyone really even listening anymore? Music seems to be just a fashion accessory nowadays, and there is too much emphasis on image and posture, popular appeal, even within the so-called "experimental" or abstract scenes. It's all so damn fake, fickle, and soul-less anymore. For the past 3 years my inspiration has steadily waned, in both creating and listening to music of all genres and non-genres.

i feel the same way.
there is really nothing more to say.. you explained it very well.

[CWoodOne]

That's why I'm giving all this stuff up and learning banjo.

what hasn't been done? Is anyone really even listening anymore? Music seems to be just a fashion accessory nowadays, and there is too much emphasis on image and posture, popular appeal, even within the so-called "experimental" or abstract scenes. It's all so damn fake, fickle, and soul-less anymore. For the past 3 years my inspiration has steadily waned, in both creating and listening to music of all genres and non-genres.

and I have really begun to realize that most so-called artists and musicians i meet are the most egotistical, narcissistic, MEAN people who think they are on a more elevated platform than everyone else, and that their existence is a gift to the world. DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR.
IN OTHER WORDS most musicians I meet are the biggest assholes. Most of them are more concerned with making money, getting laid, and being ADORED and recognized as "a musician" or "an artist" than actually creating. And barely any artists seem to support other artists outside their group or circle, everyone is all about promoting their own shit.

And also, everything has become so trend-oriented and clique-ish. If you don't hook up with this or that crew, conform to what's hip, and dress and act a certain way, in other words SELL OUT and kiss ass, you will never get anywhere.

[rbro]

That's why I'm giving all this stuff up and learning banjo.

banjo is music too ya know

edit: actually banjo MUSIC is music... I mean....I love banjo

[CWoodOne]

That's why I'm giving all this stuff up and learning banjo.

banjo is music too ya know

edit: actually banjo MUSIC is music... I mean....I love banjo

Yeah you're right. But once music sprang from social networks of people who got together to share tradition, to express themselves, to convey history, a nice melody etc. Then it turned more into "performance" like a church spectacle, or circus. Turned into more of a commodity than an art or social thing. At some point, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, etc aren't <<music>> since there's no emotion or ideas, just trashy pastiches
of the sound elements of music arranged for marketing purposes. There aren't listeners so much anymore as consumers -- so I'm scaling it down -- maybe not just banjo, but you know what I mean...

[knotkranky]

.
Its never been any different. Musicians have been writings letters like yours for a thousand years. Its been that way long before any of us showed up.

err_eur:
Most of them are more concerned with making money, getting laid, and being ADORED and recognized as "a musician" or "an artist" than actually creating. And barely any artists seem to support other artists outside their group or circle, everyone is all about promoting their own shit.

Lets not disregard getting laid, making money and being popular. You can certainly have all that and be creative. You would have to be to make all that money, right?. Support in your music community is about how good you are. Forget about supporters and get some fans.

[stinky]

personally, i think this is bullshit... yeah, the man keeps you down, yadda yadda... but, we're living a world that's more connected than ever. There are so many ways to go around the norm and still access the masses in a way that was never ever possible in the history of our world. I think relegating yourself to a self effacing manner is exactly the contrary of the spirit of music. Every major music form created was born out of a desire to break from convention, and as musicians and artists, its our duty to continue this heritage. If you'd like to make the shit that requires you to pander to the powers that be, then you reap what sow, and complaining about it makes you just as pathetic as the people you slander...

[evernaut]

what hasn't been done? Is anyone really even listening anymore? Music seems to be just a fashion accessory nowadays, and there is too much emphasis on image and posture, popular appeal, even within the so-called "experimental" or abstract scenes. It's all so damn fake, fickle, and soul-less anymore. For the past 3 years my inspiration has steadily waned, in both creating and listening to music of all genres and non-genres.

and I have really begun to realize that most so-called artists and musicians i meet are the most egotistical, narcissistic, MEAN people who think they are on a more elevated platform than everyone else, and that their existence is a gift to the world. DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR.
IN OTHER WORDS most musicians I meet are the biggest assholes. Most of them are more concerned with making money, getting laid, and being ADORED and recognized as "a musician" or "an artist" than actually creating. And barely any artists seem to support other artists outside their group or circle, everyone is all about promoting their own shit.

And also, everything has become so trend-oriented and clique-ish. If you don't hook up with this or that crew, conform to what's hip, and dress and act a certain way, in other words SELL OUT and kiss ass, you will never get anywhere.

Some of what you say is true, I agree. But here's the thing: why should it even matter to you the creative artist?

All of that shit is irrelevant ultimately...despite being unfortunatey largely true.
Not happy with disposable, fashion accessory music? Then your job is to go and make something of substance to rise above it all.

What else did you want by way of a reply/debate? Us all to nod our heads sagely and wallow in the despair?

Incidentally, I dunno what flavour music shakes your world but, no matter what it is, I suggest you go and listen to one album: "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" by Wilco.

Then if you still think music is " all so damn fake, fickle, and soul-less"..

I'm afraid the only solution is to kill yourself.

Sorry.

[mike holiday]

did it ever have a purpose anyway?

and if it did wtf was it

unfortuantly your discription of a musician sounds all to much like a lot of humanity i run into these days.

[lord toranaga]

the purpose of music = to evoke emotion through the use of sound

[evernaut]

did it ever have a purpose anyway?

and if it did wtf was it

Of course it did/does!!

To make life more bearable....to illuminate, educate, lift, shift and break your heart...to make you dance, cry... and be glad to be alive....to make you think, drink and be merry...or realise your life is a sham/mystery/effervescent magical trip/disaster...

All of those for starters.


If your music does none of the above...or worse, music does none of the above for you...then


I'm sorry...


You may have to kill yourself. It won't matter, though, because you're already dead.