30th anniversary of recording in Brooklyn – through my dark colored glasses the tarnished golden era of independent recording

It's here ! the 30 year time mark of my studio. Where I started making and recording sounds in Dec '79.
Well, even in the best and most memorable of times, things seemed fairly drab and matter of fact. My guess is all the "golden" eras were a good bit more tarnished, for those who lived them.


 
Me, with John Zorn cover in hand. Sonic Youth’s Death Valley ’69 pokin out in the back

 30 seems like one of those unfathomably big numbers for the anniversary of my recording music, in one location.

The petty hierarchies of music - bands and songwriters

... about how various members of bands have a naturally different status, in practice, and in people's perception.. the front man/woman, the songwriter/composer - the person who will do the talking, the person who focuses the identity of the music

Copyright ! Download Nation - Music and Art's Civil War

I entered the fray about copyright issues and music downloading, and how music in general has been affected


The US constitution on COPYRIGHTS – To promote the Progress of Science [includes literature] and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors [..] the exclusive Right to their respective Writings…

So the constitution is clear here -”clear” ? ha, I’m in trouble already. Congress is mandated to promote innovation in knowledge and art.

Irony in music

Irony - Opiate Of The People
On the way to an event last night called “Dances Of Vice,” I was planning this blog post about irony, and trying to define the different possible threads of irony in music.

So the event is themed, with most people in Victorian or fantasy clothing, and all the musical performances involve cellos, violins, and harps – everything very baroque. I walk to the side of the stage and I see a Flying V guitar. I think, OMG, how ironic ! The Flying V is a staple of hard rock/metal

History, and the role of art

here I muse on art's relationship to the telling of history:

The grays of history - a place for art

Telling a story about a time in history - Being of a time in history, and telling a story. What does the teller owe society ? Can a small truth about a time in history, contradict the larger, socially progressive, educated truth ?

Gentrification In Brooklyn: Turn The Page

This about the state of the gentrification process in Brooklyn, where my studio is located and where I live. Written in 2008 ..so really, an eon ago, and should be read that way. 

 Gentrification in Brooklyn - turn the page.

 The explosion of energy I saw on Brooklyn's streets after the Obama win, recedes into the background. And I feel I'm looking at an economic and social playing field that is now undeniably different .