[NewMusic] Flock

[Derek Monypeny]

> From: "Matt Davignon" <mattdavignon at gmail.com>> Subject: Re: [NewMusic] Flock> To: "Bay Area New Music Discussion Group" newmusic at music.mills.edu> ...And as a completely separate tangent, I've been trying to figure whether> the willingness to be critical about one's own work, and to go back to the> woodshed is what eventually becomes the difference between "bands" and> "local bands". (By "local bands", I'm not specifically referring to the Bay> Area.) What's the difference between Matmos and other musicians working in> sample-based electronics? Or between the Boredoms and local noise/rock> bands?
There's more to it than just the willingness to be critical and woodshed.  It's about who you know, etc.  But even the bands that are networked and connected have to deliver something in order to be "bands" (as opposed to "local bands").  To deliver something, you have to either have a dictatorship set up (and of course tons of the greatest music ever has been made under dictatorships), or you have to be critical about your own work, woodshed, communicate, and compromise.  
 
People tend to want to avoid conflict.  Add the +1000% sensitivity level of your typical music putz and you get lots of passive-aggresive scenarios.  'I'm a creative artist guy- watch how creatively I can fuck with you while protecting my ego.'  
 
It's not easy to make any record, go on any long tour, etc.  Not even a shitty one.  There are so many decisions that have to somehow be made.  I'm sure I'm not saying anything that you don't know already, but I didn't fully appreciate this for a long time.     
 
Deerhoof spent many, many yrs being a local band playing local shows to nobody.  They released records nationally, but they were a "local band."  But then they obviously got a lot of things together (music being just one), and now they are a professional worldwide rock juggernaut.  They've done it, IMO, without selling out anything with regards to their art.   How'd they do it?  I must have been really difficult!  I don't think I could admire them more than I do.
 
I say all this as a member of a "local band" that, IMO, has the potential to become a "band" were we ever able to navigate the various minefields (improvised exploding devices) that so far seem determined to keep us "local."  Whatever.  I'm most likely localband4life.  I'm pretty old.  Playing music w/others is still fun. 
 
Hi Mills College newmusic list.
 
-Derek
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