Comment by St. Paddy (not verified), posted March 17, 2007 - 4:01pm
To the table, I bring the phenomenon known as "The Pussy Cat Dolls" for discussion. Here you have a group of women that were auditioned for their looks, dancing ability, voice, and, most importantly, their ability to take direction. They have spawned 5 hit singles. I will admit that I, who have listened to only independent music for my entire music loving life, shunning the radio for decades, actually like some of their songs, in all of their simple pop glory. They have achieved the goal of entertaining me. They did not however, achieve their main goal, and really the only reason for their creation, which is to sell me a CD. I have even watched an episode of their TV show, however embarrassing that may be to admit.
Consider me mildly entertained.
This is not, however, the creation of an artist, at least not the one on screen. This is the creation of a cunning and sharp business woman, and as a businessman, I deeply respect her abilities. As we all know, the primary goal of business is to make money, and she has done this well.
This is not music. Period. This is a corporation with a marketable product engineered by a highly skilled team. This is not some group of 21 year olds that have been playing in Bobby's garage since grade school, perfecting their craft.
It is very tough for me to hand money over to something that only mildly entertains me, and even harder when I know it is more like buying stock than supporting an artist.
I buy artists records, regardless of label or origin, whenever i see fit.
I often 'test drive' said records on myspace, or youtube, having wasted $15-20 time and time again on albums that just didnt cut it.
There is a tremendous difference between artists and businesses masquerading as artists.
Artists have and always will make the vast majority of their money from touring. This is true from the local bar band to 50-cent.
Businesses will always make their money from record sales.
I will always support artists, because I am one.
To the table, I bring the phenomenon known as "The Pussy Cat Dolls" for discussion. Here you have a group of women that were auditioned for their looks, dancing ability, voice, and, most importantly, their ability to take direction. They have spawned 5 hit singles. I will admit that I, who have listened to only independent music for my entire music loving life, shunning the radio for decades, actually like some of their songs, in all of their simple pop glory. They have achieved the goal of entertaining me. They did not however, achieve their main goal, and really the only reason for their creation, which is to sell me a CD. I have even watched an episode of their TV show, however embarrassing that may be to admit.
Consider me mildly entertained.
This is not, however, the creation of an artist, at least not the one on screen. This is the creation of a cunning and sharp business woman, and as a businessman, I deeply respect her abilities. As we all know, the primary goal of business is to make money, and she has done this well.
This is not music. Period. This is a corporation with a marketable product engineered by a highly skilled team. This is not some group of 21 year olds that have been playing in Bobby's garage since grade school, perfecting their craft.
It is very tough for me to hand money over to something that only mildly entertains me, and even harder when I know it is more like buying stock than supporting an artist.
I buy artists records, regardless of label or origin, whenever i see fit.
I often 'test drive' said records on myspace, or youtube, having wasted $15-20 time and time again on albums that just didnt cut it.
There is a tremendous difference between artists and businesses masquerading as artists.
Artists have and always will make the vast majority of their money from touring. This is true from the local bar band to 50-cent.
Businesses will always make their money from record sales.
I will always support artists, because I am one.