I'm tired of reading blogs, especially the 'Comments' sections, which feature post after post of angst-filled pseudo rock journalism. If I had to define the word "blogging" in four words or less, it would go something like this.
Blogging: the act of hyping.
I have no idea if "hyping" is a word. But, if someone wrote a negative comment underneath this post about my limited or inaccurate vocabulary, it would not upset me...it would only prove my point. See, blogs should be celebratory in every sense of the word. Even if it's a blog talking about your depression...it's still hyping you (even if in a twisted way), isn't it?
So, as it relates to music...
I love music blogs. I'm on sites like Stereogum, The Music Slut, Brooklyn Vegan, and Gorilla vs. Bear all the time. Why? I love music. And the seeds of these sites were all seemingly planted into the ground with a common goal of growing the internet community's, and therefore the world's, collective interest in music. What a f---ing great idea.
Any time of day, I can log on to one of the hundreds upon hundreds of absolutely solid music blogs out there and learn about a new, legitimate band, check out video footage from one of last night's shows, or find out about tour dates and pre-sales. No longer does Ticketmaster, Pollstar, or even The Village Voice control the information. Nothing against those organizations (except Ticketmaster), but this loss of control represents such a wonderful time in media and in music. Forget about downloading rights for a minute, and remember that you now have information so much faster than you ever did, and you've probably been turned on to hoardes of outstanding music....all delivered right to that little LCD screen of yours. Kinda nice, right?
Well, apparently not. Along with the emergence of sites like MySpace, Facebook, and You Tube, which quench the masses' subconscious thirst for quasi-fame, there has been created a mindset of inflated self-importance. My purpose for writing this post is to encourage humility amongst those who feel the urge to shamelessly and thoughtlessly pontificate all over the 'Comments' sections of well-intentioned music blogs. Does anyone care if you think Feist is aimless and Lucinda Williams is washed-up? Or should any part of cyberspace be occupied by your ramblings about Wilco's latest record being pathetic? Please.
I recognize that someone reading this may find it ironic. After all, I'm using a blog to preach a "holier than thou" message about overestimating one's self importance. Trust me, I don't think what I write is important. That's because I'm not a writer. I'm also not a musician....which is why you will NEVER hear me discredit a musician's work. Music is made to be celebrated, and the internet is simply a tool to make that celebration reach every corner of the world.
Let's hype that.
