Violator, Exciter and other Menacing Words

Isn’t it odd how people think the words “indie” and “underground” are synonyms for the word “good”? Sometimes the reason nobody has heard it is because the music is crap and Mother Nature is using natural selection keep those sounds from seeing daylight. The problem is people think their identity is based on the music they listen to and in this modern age it is uncool to like anything that could come from an establishment. Its all corporations, just not the ones we have been trained to look out for. So, everybody chill out with that self righteous, ignorance exposing noise. We are all guilty.
OK. I know I sound a little bitter, let me explain:
A couple of nights ago I was downtown having a drink, listening to music. When I go out to listen to music I usually keep to my own and so I can focus on the tracks. It’s an old dj habit that I find very peaceful. My mind was drifting between work and the technique of the kid behind the tables.
A young lady sat down next to me and began to chat. She told me about moving to Vegas and her dreams of doing something involving the arts and self expression. She had no idea what medium she would like to use, nor the direction she would take it. Deep down, everybody wants to be recognized as special individual, so I ain’t judgin. However, I do think it is interesting people refuse to acknowledge that breathing is not quality that separates one from the pack. The conversation moved into the realm of music… the place where it would end. After she finished listing the usual suspects of favorite bands I was treated to a tirade of why underground music is superior to mainstream. I decided forgo pointing out that the majority of the bands she listens to were on “indie” labels owned by major labels and chose to play devils advocate instead. I spoke about how good the new Depeche Mode album is…very. After going back and forth on the validity of a band that crosses my mind once every four years, I realized this wasn’t fun anymore. Yes, the brash, unfounded confidence annoyed me at first, but the ignorance really saddened me. Even though this young lady will never know, she dropped a showstopper on me that I will never forget. She told me that she likes to express herself with the music she listens to. Not the music she makes… the music she listens to. That means she uses the music to express herself to herself? That means she is using some else’s emotions and feelings to dictate her own. Her identity is based on other artistic people and their hopes and aspirations. The difference is they have worked towards their goals so they express themselves from that context. You can’t just assume that persona it’s like trying to be a doctor with no med school… just nearly as hard.
Remember this is coming from an old dj… someone that used other people’s music to express himself. Well, sort of, I knew the music was not mine. I knew it was a hobby or an interest, but certainly not an identity.
Our conversation just kind of fizzled away out of lack of interest. An interesting side note: After his set, I spoke with the kid on the tables and he asked if I wanted to do a set. I asked if he had “Personal Jesus” in his crate. He said no, but that he loved the drums on that track. I agreed.

Cheers,
David