Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Open Letter to New York's Music Press

Hi.

I wrote a letter today, in reaction to an ARTICLE I read in New York Magazine.

I don't really think it's going to make much impact, but I had something I needed to get off my chest.

What do you think?

If you have an opinion one way or another, I encourage you to write to comments@nymag.com and let them know, just like I did.

Anyway....

Here it is:

To Whom It May (or may not) Concern,

I noticed your cover story about Brooklyn's music scene. Sure, it's in-depth article, but it is extremely one-dimensional....which is something that the music scene in NYC is definitely not.

I think your coverage of what you call the "New York Rock Scene", as you call it, is limited at best, to Indie Rock, and the like.

I have nothing against that genre of music, and know that there's a lot of talent there.

That said, there is more to life than just one thing. Variety, as they say is the spice of life....and really, that's what life in the city is all about, for my money (or lack thereof).

There are lots of great bands in NYC (whether it be Manhattan or Brooklyn), playing classic American Rock N' Roll, Hard Rock, Metal, Punk, and various fusions thereof, that are thriving in NYC right now, and have for years. These bands are fresh, enthusiastic, work hard, and are very inspired and talented. Some of them also have large followings and sell out a lot of shows in and out of the city. And they don't make any more money than the bands you cover, and are taking just as many "risks" for their craft and the love of their music. Trust me...I know.

For some reason, most of the press in this town has chosen to all but ignore them.

Music in whatever form, is supposed to be about inspiration and expression. Trends come and go, and sometimes happen synonymously. This year's "old hat" is next year's "next big thing." You, as critics, I think, owe it to yourselves, and to your readers, to be a little bit more open-minded to what's going on with music in this great city of ours.

Try something different, and maybe check out a Rock N' Roll show at Trash Bar (a great Brooklyn Rock N' Roll venue that's been around for years, and deserves mentioning in any article about music in Brooklyn) sometime, or countless venues in Manhattan. I think you'll be glad you did.

If you need recommendations, I'd be more than happy to oblige you.

Thanks for your time,

Marty E.
The Dirty Pearls

4 comments:

  1. The same thing is true in Minneapolis.

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  2. word. There's too many great bands in NYC to mention. IMO there's more talented bands coming out of NY right now than there are in L.A and I would've said the opposite about 2 years ago, but now the advantage has shifted to the east coast.

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  3. I had quite the response on Facebook....I thought I'd repost here:

    Rocker Al, Benny Solberg, Christa Oliva and 5 others like this.

    Karen Pfeffer
    Great letter Marty! I read that article- it seems to have been written by a one eyed, clueless, dusty fart.
    Wed at 6:38pm · Delete
    Rusty Wilson
    Rusty Wilson
    There's not a "free" press anymore. Indie rock and the like is the nice and conforming type of music preferred by our corporate masters.

    I don't need to point out to you the history of rebelliousness in Rock and Roll. Keep fighting the fascist bastards and some day we'll bury them along with nice Indie rock.
    Wed at 6:40pm · Delete
    Jennifer JennCity Arroyo
    Jennifer JennCity Arroyo
    I couldn't agree more.. there is a lot of talent in NYC/Brooklyn area and I see some zines all covering the same style and that's it.. at least some of us know what's up.. well done Marty! ♥
    Wed at 6:41pm · Delete
    Karen Mastrofilipo
    Karen Mastrofilipo
    Bravo Marty! Well said!
    Wed at 6:53pm · Delete
    Brian Burke
    Brian Burke
    yeah yeah yeah...no s
    Wed at 10:17pm · Delete
    Tommy Mokas
    Tommy Mokas
    well said....but who needs em? the people find the goods my friend. Sometimes I feel like indie press/blogs are like Fox News, they invent their own truths and stick to them. Those of us who are a tad more open minded see a lot of great music being made in our fair city, and we're enjoying it. Take solace in knowing your a part of something bigger than the fickle press. I know you already do.
    Yesterday at 12:18am · Delete
    Marty Concussion
    Marty Concussion
    That's true, and you're absolutely right, s'Mokes....we're fortunate to have gotten where we are without a lot of help and support.....but imagine if we had the support of the press like this how many more people we could get the word out to....that being said, I agree....fuck 'em if they don't it.
    Yesterday at 12:27am · Delete
    TJ Rosenthal
    TJ Rosenthal
    I read the article which is the epitomy of the state of music. Bands with laptops making interesting sounds is what is cited as the new trend. They're right. It's what the industry nowadays loves. While alot of it can be termed creative, utilizing alot of mash up sounds from beats, samples and a collage of genres, it lacks one essential. A soul. A ... Read Moregutteral delivery that exudes an artists true personality, honesty and more so, vulnerability. The plastic sheen that allows people to hide behind a soundscape foundated from a mac book pro is why music sales are by the song, off of i tunes, and not by the lp. its the state of music now and it wont return to the days of story, music fashion and art, that when combined, delivered timeless bands and their music. so new york magazine is right. those brooklyn bands have captured listeners who have come to learn to expect if not less, then a whole different set of standards that bon scott is peeing on
    right now from the heavens.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yesterday at 2:57am · Delete
    Tommy Mokas
    Tommy Mokas
    Mr. Rosenthal, as much as I agree with you, I don't think it means much in the grander scheme, or even in the not-so-distant future. Music and art are returning to their roots more than ever, and good music will always prevail, whether it takes longer or requires harder work. The cream always rises to the top, and those are the ones that have ... Read Morewhat they like to say in the biz "staying power" For every 100 bullshit indie band there are at least 2 or 3 great rock bands, and those are the ones that eventually find their way to the public. Some of the best from the golden ages of rock were shunned and even ripped apart in the music press, two shining examples being Grand Funk and Led Zeppelin. They did INCREDIBLY well without the love of the press or even the support of radio. They did it the old fashion way, by rocking people's faces personally. And that's the way it must be done again my friend. Those of us that are doing it know our fight is worth it.
    Yesterday at 3:05am · Delete
    Marty Concussion
    Marty Concussion
    This is a hell of a good discussion we're having here, my friends....you guys are, in essence, both right. Is Rock N' Roll ever going to me the mass force it was in the 70's, 80's, & 90's? Maybe not. But maybe that will make it more pure. That being said, if nobody is interested in Rock N' Roll anymore, then why (as I covered in an earlier blog) are all these people in their early 20's always requesting everything from Toto's "Africa" to the Red Hot Chili Peppers when I dj?
    Yesterday at 4:02am · Delete
    Sugar Blue
    Sugar Blue
    Me?? I wanna know what happened to guitar after Hendrix and Clapton! I thought the kids would be wearing it out and the pyrotechnics would continue to eargasmic heights but......Noooooo!!

    People lost the roots and forgot where the source of the music's life blood flowed and Rock suffered a lethal cardiac arhythmia and they are still trying to resuscitate it with little or no hope of restoring life to a withering corpse! Fear not music lovers!

    Doctor Blue has a philtre,a potion gleaned from the minds of the Griots who've lived among us ignored and forgotten by the chilluns and their parents....again!! Get yourself a steaming Robert Johnson, a dose of John Lee Hooker's Boogie magic, a hot wind from the Delta, frozen in the Icy heart of Chicago and the molten might of Muddy waters will flow over you like a pryoclastic cloud stripping all to the bones and revitalizing you with a music reborn!! ... Read More
    "It's Alive....It's Alive!!!" See the Perfect Age of R'n'R you can see where it's coming from in images 20ft high and in stereo surround and if that ain't enough for you there's the magical melodies of Mickey on your local Disney channel!
    Yesterday at 8:01am · Delete
    Tommy Mokas
    Tommy Mokas
    Oh I saw it.....and it was good! You were great Sugar, nice to virtually meet you...I saw you at a blues festival in Iowa in the mid '90's, btw....great show! Keep doin it brother, its inspiration to us all.
    Yesterday at 8:34am · Delete
    Sugar Blue
    Sugar Blue
    Nice ta meetcha Tommy!!
    Yesterday at 8:44am · Delete
    Johnny B Azari
    Johnny B Azari
    since when do you have a blog?? anyway i like what you said. strong, but not rude.
    Yesterday at 12:23pm · Delete
    Marty Concussion
    Marty Concussion
    Sugar, that's the coolest thing you could've said...and so true. I'll see you Sunday?
    Yesterday at 3:01pm · Delete
    Collette Mclafferty
    Collette Mclafferty
    I didn't read the article Marty, but i also feel that the current scene in Manhattan, which I really feel is thriving right now, is also getting overlooked.

    Speaking of articles... there is a solid chance I am getting my hands on the one I did on you guys this Sunday.
    Yesterday at 6:22pm · Delete

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