Every year the Hartford Advocate and the Greater Hartford Arts Council put together a local music showcase called the Hartford Advocate Grand Band Slam. Over the years, many of my friends' bands have been nominated, many have been offered for nomination, and many have been completely overlooked. This year, I received a notification from one of these friends, Ronnie Neuhauser, calling to supporters to nominated his band for this years contest. Normally, I would think that asking your friends to nominate your band would defeat the value of a nomination process, but knowing how these things (unfortunately) work, I completely understood the call for support.
As a friend and fan of Ronnie's, a supporter of local music, and a musician myself, I felt compelled to share Ronnie's thoughts on the subject. I will add first my own editorial that Ronnie and the members of his ensemble are among the most talented individuals I have ever seen perform, and without a doubt, the most original and creative group of musicians in the area.
Ronnie's letter:
Dear Greater Hartford Arts Council,
My name is Ronnie Neuhauser, composer/guitarist for No Cheez Orchestra and Styrocultural Antidote. I wanted to bring to your attention something I feel very strongly about. It is quite upsetting that the Grand Band Slam, a contest where I imagine the intent is to support creative local artists; is nothing but a popularity contest. This is disturbing because every contest I come across, especially corporate sponsored ones, have zero to do with the art form. A contest of this fashion immediately excludes many artists who are doing something different (of course there are a few exceptions). It's bad enough that the current culture has such a narrow view of what music is because of the corporate musical landscape, but for an establishment whose intent should be to give voice to artists pushing boundaries; this is nothing short of frightening. I was hoping a contest devised by an arts council would be much different. Why not have a group of judges who at least have some idea of aesthetics decide? The contest/event should cater to artists. As I examine these events I find that the artist becomes the least important participant. I hope you give my thoughts serious consideration and I'd certainly love to speak in more detail about it.
I believe the council has an obligation to help establish ground breaking artists, and give a voice to those who are being marginalized.
Peace, Ronnie
www.nocheez.com
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16 comments:
*yawns*
Ok I see where you're going with this but please try to remember that the dollar trumps art.
A large gathering of popular bands brings hoards of loyal fans who spend tons of cash on the vendors and possibly, the sponsors.
You cannot generate that level of interest with bands who have limited exposure or only work within a tiny niche.
I realize that those artsy-type bands cannot gain more exposure if they are being excluded from large events and festivals. However, if you are going to do something "different" that you know not everyone will gravitate towards, you must be willing to shamelessly self-promote and play your ass off until you grown your fan base.
I point you towards the Brothers Rogers, co-founders of Mighty Purple. They have been working their asses off for more than fifteen years and have finally reached a carte blanche on the local scene.
They were no more welcome at band slams as these guys you write about were. It took a long time and a lot of work before the gained recognition. But did they ever complain about it? No.
Never once have I ever heard Steve Rogers complain about his lot.
He just believed in his music and played it to the bone.
Mighty Purple's reward? Respect and staying power.
Case-in-point: If you are going to march to the beat of a different drummer, you must be willing to accept that most folks will strap on their headphones and drown your sound out.
Although I do understand that "the dollar trumps art", the Hartford Advocate Grand Band Slam is trying to pass themselves off as the opposite. Thus the reason I felt compelled to publish Ronnie's letter. I -- and although I can't speak for Ronnie, I'm sure he agrees -- recognise that talent doesn't equal success, and that work is a major part of the equation. This issue is that the Band Slam promotes themselves as an opportunity to discovers the lesser known and as a true battle of the bands, yet it seems, decisions are made without the so-called judges every hearing a note. That's the part that deserves being spoken out against.
As for Mighty Purple, I can't agree with you more. They are the wise uncles of the scene, and should serve as an example as to how to make it work... alas no one makes it big.
The dollar trumping art is factual, yet is a huge problem. The acceptance of that proves people do not understand, nor believe in a system of democracy. I don't have time to explain such topics but that is the problem, acceptance of corrupt values. I guess it’s great that Mighty Purple has been around for a long time and not complained, and that’s their prerogative. I've been around also, my first musical project formed in 1992 so I've been on the scene doing original music for a long time. Never have I changed my art for monetary gain. I think Michelle doesn't grasp the idea of changing things that should never be accepted as a way to do things. Just as we all work jobs and expect fairness, I expect the same for our craft. I refuse to knuckle under to that kind of logic or lack there of. Actually I find it sad that people aren't complaining out in the "open" because I sure hear an ear full from hoards of musicians I meet on the scene. Maybe it's time people spoke out. I did have reservations about asking people to nominate my projects but realized I was not at fault here, that I deserve an infrastructure to operate in and that I should stand up and ask for problems to be corrected. Not speaking out means we give in to a system that will demolish art even further than it already has. I guess folks don’t care if one day we walk into a museum and see corporate logo's attached to refrigerators as being serious art. I feel differently…
Peace, Ronnie
.....Some think at one time Americans were the leading innovators, inventors, and originators, and recognized and respected for it. I feel we still are. Some feel we used to base our values upon democracy. I think we still do, but there are some with different motives. And we're on to you. ...I've been playing music live and recording for 40 years and started playing in 1961, probably longer than most of the performing musicians in the local "scene" today. It's been a tough road at times. I never complained, it goes with the territory. However the last 10 years especially, have been a road to shame, in the way the music scene has dis- evolved in it's values. The General population here used to scoff at 3rd world powers trying to copy our originality with cheap immitations. Now we are a society of disposable goods that originate elsewhere in the world, and we are living with it, because we have been desensatized from OVER EXPOSURE. And it seems the attitude towards one another is following suit. Individualism is fading. Politics money and greed have changed our world for the worst,..and although in a different disguise, politics, commercialism, money and greed have also infiltrated our music. Corruption knows no boundaries, so it's no surprize it has leaked in at the local levels. Harsh words? but true. Money can buy, influence, block or remove anyone , and it seems people are willing to live with that, well except some. Some of us haven't yet been desensatized or corrupted though. When I was working MY ass off reading music, playing classical piano, playing jazz organ, gigging 5 nights a week, studying to perfect my craft, and aquiring the skills to build the actual instruments I play on,.the hot dog vendor's cash flow, or a political music popularity contest, was not part of the art form I love and respect. And the respect and commaradory I have from many other talented musicians attests to this. I never complained either, but now it's time, this whole malignancy has gotten that rediculous. Name dropping of a local band and reminding the rest of us of their hard work, and non- complaining is not necessary here. This goes far beyond local in reality. I have no animosity or jealousy toward fellow musicians...but we all have stories to tell of struggles, hard work and hardships...and many of us deserve equally the break that somebody else got, or keeps getting had we been HEARD! But after year after year of the same old crap,..somebody has to speak up. If for nothing else insulting our intelligence and dignity. At least consider other talent. Is this what the "scene" is about? or is it about the Seen? Open your minds man. Maybe you are afraid of what you might hear?..something as good or better?, different? refreshing? Forgive me..I forgot for a second that Money and politics is the fuel that keeps the art squashing machine running,..I know this from being a victim of it for decades. ...People should "yawn" less at real issues, no matter how seemingly small and insifnificant they may be. This is why the country is in a mess, because values are ignored. There are more of us out there with brains and talent than you think. Open your eyes , your minds,..and shed your ignorance. Be Americans again and do it the democratic way. The Planet of the Ape mentality is not accepted by all of us. And to you Zira, The yawns, carte blanche local scene, excuses or otherwise are not accepted. It's much bigger than that. There are others outside the circle. F.M.
*double yawn*
If a musician's goal is to be heard than he need only play. But if his goal is to gain notoriety and eventually, profit, he is a cog in a very large machine.
There isn't an artist out there, unique or mass-produced, that simply gives their creativity away. The world does not work that way.
People expect to reap something for their talent. And they should.
As for the great evil that is corporate America, it is a part of the society in which we exist.
As long as you have a Coca-Cola in your hand, you're a part of the problem. The corporations suffer when people stop buying their product.
Unfortunately, most people are not willing to make that kind of a sacrifice. They want to listen to Britney Spears on their IPod while donning Levi's jeans and sipping a Starbucks' Frappachino.
And Americans are neither leaders nor innovators. We're consumers.
We manufacture NOTHING of any great global worth. As for our music industry, it is simply another entity designed exclusively for generating profit. Hell, even one of my favourite musicians is a complete sell-out: Tori Amos.
Yea. Fancy that. A woman who built her career on being the antithesis to the corporate carbon-copies is now taking full advantage of her fan base by allowing her face and name to appear on useless junk, including ladies' handbags.
One of my favourite bands, The Eagles, released their latest album exclusively to Wal*Mart.
What happened to their integrity?
I'll tell you what happened: they got tired of not making money.
And their fans were all too happy to rush out and buy it. Hell, they even gave The Eagles a Grammy for their corporate endeavor.
Case-in-point: if a musician wants to be heard, he need only play.
If he wants a career, be prepared to fall in line.
Double yawn? Will this conversation now head toward the sandbox? About the idea of being heard, in this cultural climate even that's difficult. Must I explain manufactured consent and how the population truly doesn’t have the array of choices you might believe? Now on the consumerism problem you make all my points for me. I understand that stuff on a very deep level since most of my reading and collection of documentaries and academic talks is about how these systems function, and how ridiculously unethical and corrupt it is. Obviously you didn’t grasp the meaning of my first post. You are asking people to accept the corruption. NOT GONNA HAPPEN HERE! I suppose you would have been one of those opposing civil and human rights spewing nonsense like "that’s the way the world is". Well, unbeknownst to you is the fact that incredibly intelligent people have devised systems that are more democratic and people becoming active is the vehicle used that is attempting to bring these systems to light. Systems that are better for the MAJORITY, not the minority. Here's the deal, see if you can grasp this. I am pointing out problems and problems need to be addressed and fixed. It's that simple. Why would you oppose a more fair system? You don’t want talented artists to have a fair playing field that isn’t controlled completely by powerful monopolizing corporations? Are you even a musician? If not what’s your aim here? This argument is basically over because you have accepted the corruption. Your mention of artist’s who have sold out etc, has absolutely zero to do with the question of changing a corrupt system. With each sentence you sound more absurd; in fact this is no longer a discussion, but you being an apologist for unethical behavior. Wanna go for a triple yawn so I can get my Tonka truck out for playtime?
Although I appreciate, accept, and support discourse and discussion here, I will not abide any personal attacks. Everyone is entitled to free expression of their ideas, and intelligent debate as they defend them. But, if this breaks down into a verbal fist-fight, I will remind everyone that this is my space, and I have the final word here. Please continue you commentary, but should I read anything else that reads as an attack, in any direction, I will lock the blog and pull all the comments.
Please excuse my visceral response. It was triggered by the "yawn" comments and the rest of the two posts which I found quite disrespectful, not helpful and truly off the main topic which was dealing with an Arts Council whose obvious job would be the promotion of "art". I did get a second response from the Arts Council which I will post here soon.
Please do post GHAC's reply... I'd like to see what they have to say. As for the replies... as a whole, I found the discourse becoming heated, between you, Molly, and Fred. I just wanted it to stay civil, and slow down the pace before anyone became directly insulted, but that comment was not directed to any one person specifically.
Here is the second response from the GHAC. It doesn't address the Band Slam in a way I find fulfilling however there is comment that I/we musicians should take her up on, which is to create our own event that caters to artists. Any thoughts?
Hi Ronnie,
The Arts Council has several grant programs which help to support local artists such as yourself and to fund community events throughout the city of Hartford and in its suburbs to cultivate the type of rich, original music that you speak of. I’d encourage you and others to apply for one of our Individual Artist Fellowships or, if you have an idea for a music festival to please approach us with a proposal to apply for funding and support. You can view the grant and funding opportunities on our website here and also get a feel for the vast variety of events that the Arts Council does support at LetsGoArts.org by clicking on “Grants and Programs” in the left-hand column.
We are affiliated with the Hartford Advocate Grand Band Slam as a fiduciary agent and sponsor to ensure that the festival is free and open to the public so that all can see a glimpse into the variety of local talent that we have here. We also support the Monday Night Jazz Series, Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Podunk Bluegrass Festival, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Trinity College International Hip Hop Festival and dozens of other music groups and performances to make all types of musical expression accessible to all.
I certainly appreciate where you are coming from and encourage you to look through our website to see the vast programming, services, grants and support that we provide the arts and heritage community here and hope that we can connect on a project in the future that might better help to further illuminate the community music scene.
Keep up the passion and please continue to forward comments, questions, ideas, etc. to us and we’ll address them as best we can.
Best, Karin
Karin Diamond
Cultural Promotions & Marketing Manager
Greater Hartford Arts Council
I have to think that responce feels a bit like a blow off. Or maybe they're saying "Jazz, Bluegrass, the Symphony, and Hip Hop are valid forms of the arts enough for Hartford." I say you take the time to take them up on their offer. Design a legitimate Hartford battle of the bands and run with it. Of course the ball will be in your court to fix the issue with the Advocate's set-up -- How do you select the bands to compete based on the merits of the band alone? Can you listen to 180+ submitted demo tracks for the selection process? Can you even limit the entrance to bands who have already cut demos?
I support your challenge of the Hartford Advocate's format... but the age-old question stands... can you do better?
Well honestly, if I go to the GHAC it will have nothing to do with creating a battle of the bands. I would ask for funding for some type of event that focuses on all different types of art and ask all the artists taking part in the event what they need to make the performance comfortable for them. This is what creates great performances; good talent under good conditions.
So a larger version of "Musicians Heard... Artists Seen... Poets Speak" (pardon me if I butchered that title).
Quite possibly. I would really like to get alot of people involved though. If grants come in that can be an incentive for sure. Maybe some kind of community meeting with like minded folk can get this off and running.
I read the most recent letter in your post from the GHAC. Jed Clampett went into Armani of Hartford to be fitted for a suit. He was quickly shown the door and it was politely suggested that he go to the Gentelman's Warehouse in East Haven. Jed had the dough for the Armani, more than enough to cover the cost. A great guy..but being different, it was decided he get the boot instead of the suit. ...............A seemingly nice lady, representing the GHAC and a polite, informative response letter from her, but nonetheless another polite way of being shown the door. ...With words the likes of "proposal" and "apply" in the letter's contents, it is hinted that a speedy solution is out of reach at this time. The odorless, colorless, silent weapon of time, is being utilized here, in hopes that if this suggested alternative path is chosen, the process may take so long, you'll implode from frustration and ultimately walk away. ...Filling out the required applications, writing a letter of intent, and all other required red tape in hopes of being considered for a $2,000 grant? (forgive me if I am wrong), to start in their minds eye, a musician's Leper colony? ..Bring back the witch's broom to the almighty OZ. ....... I feel these suggested alternatives, may be being used now as a form of damage control, as remedy to the original questions and concerns brought forth by Mr. Neuhauser, and Mr. Shackleton. I checked out the GHAC site. It's reminicent to me of the State of Connecticut Worker's comp program..a feeling of vagueness and doubt. A very dim light at the end of an infinite tunnel, for those that are different, and asking for a fair shake in the mainstream. Whatever Ron decides to do, he has my support and contribution. He and his band are second to none in creativity and performance, and deserve better than the questionable ethics they are subjected to. F.M.
I agree the response was definitely a form of damage control. I do think we should push the council a bit and see what comes of it. The attempt should be made. Anyone interested in taking part in creating an infrastructure please feel free to contact me.
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