With yesterday's post still fresh in my mind, I think about how far DIY translates. For a lot of people, doing it yourself is seen as an exclusive thing with making music. You know, start your own band, write your own songs, record your own songs and book your own shows. Well, since that pile of shingles fell onto my head in March '04, I realized how much further I can apply the idea of "If you don't like this, do it yourself."
As I've said before, I didn't like how the mainstream media picked up and jumbled the story of post-hardcore/emo, so I started writing a book and a blog. While writing the book has been a little tougher than blogging, it's not like this is advanced rocket science. Something like blogging is easy and free, so what's holding people back?
I believe motivation is a major factor here. People have their reasons (there's no time to blog, there's nothing interesting to say) and they are valid, but it's not like blogging is a full-time commitment. This is just like sticking to an exercise regimen -- but not everybody has an easy time sticking to a regimen. Yes, I spend a couple of hours a day writing and editing my blog, in addition to my book, but that's because I have the drive to do it. If you have the drive to something, then by all means, do it!
My point for all of this: if you don't agree with what's being handed to you, think deep inside yourself and see what you can do. You don't like websites/blogs that spew negative bile? Start your own site talking about the things you like. You don't like the bands playing down at your local bar? Start your own band. You don't like what someone said in a review? Write your own review. I know we all have our limits, but it's worth looking inward to see what we can do.
As I've said before, I didn't like how the mainstream media picked up and jumbled the story of post-hardcore/emo, so I started writing a book and a blog. While writing the book has been a little tougher than blogging, it's not like this is advanced rocket science. Something like blogging is easy and free, so what's holding people back?
I believe motivation is a major factor here. People have their reasons (there's no time to blog, there's nothing interesting to say) and they are valid, but it's not like blogging is a full-time commitment. This is just like sticking to an exercise regimen -- but not everybody has an easy time sticking to a regimen. Yes, I spend a couple of hours a day writing and editing my blog, in addition to my book, but that's because I have the drive to do it. If you have the drive to something, then by all means, do it!
My point for all of this: if you don't agree with what's being handed to you, think deep inside yourself and see what you can do. You don't like websites/blogs that spew negative bile? Start your own site talking about the things you like. You don't like the bands playing down at your local bar? Start your own band. You don't like what someone said in a review? Write your own review. I know we all have our limits, but it's worth looking inward to see what we can do.
Comments
I also am stopping a bit because I want to spend more of my free time working on music. And this is truly because I want to attempt to do something positive for this scene. All i'm doing now is reviewing cd's, and shows. And that just isn't enough.
But I agree about motivation - doing something entails risk, and everyone hates putting themselves out there - but you have to think, what is the worst that could happen? The worst is usually never as bad as letting things just lie there . . . you may just get something wonderful out of the experience . . .