I'm a little surprised you haven't heard Kneecap; you should certainly watch the doc. about them - it may give you some deeper context...and you'll hear the music!
Thanks Hugo as always. Truly, their music has not crossed my path, and still has not, despite the fact I listen to various new music playlists, read lots of fellow Substackers, have friends who shout out their new loves to me directly when they are super excited, and pert he article, have read copious articles about the politics of Kneecap and various repercussions, including yet another one yesterday. At this point, it's become something of a scientific survey at my end!
The irony is that the newspapers, generally those with right-wing agendas, that draw attention to acts whose lyrics and behaviour they condemn, invariably succeed in increasing their reach which in turn adds to their popularity (and earnings).
Hi Chris, thanks... would like to confirm that in your last few words, the "their" you refer to means the "acts whose lyrics and behaviour they condemn" ...?
Not to speak for Mr. C, but isn't the answer 'both'? Don't the acts and the writers make quick bank here? I heard a great quote once, no idea where: "When everybody loses, somebody wins." If a writer or editor allows vilification (or seeks to vilify) an artist, they are, at least as often as not, making that decision to lure readers and hold their attention. Of course. But the "nu martyr" in the deal surely is exposed to sympathetic ears that were not aware of them or their stance prior, while their pre-controversy-of-the-minute supporters are galvanized.
While the readers and listeners are dipped in the mulch, both the artist and the publication can each claim victory and part the field. Underscore 'part the field'. These are hollow wins for either party, surely. The newspaper, blogger, Substacker, social media addict or whomever can only milk something like Kneecap for so long. And that period gets shorter all the time. They soon need a new rain shower to funnel into a coffee cup and call it a hurricane. And the artists, the bands? They'll score in the short term. But then they must either come up with some music good enough to escape the shadow of the controversy, or they must get used to their careers shrinking until they are forgotten and penniless. Or maybe they acquiesce to being a radioactive sideshow, risking their mental health in the bargain. I'll wager more people have an opinion on Kan/Ye/Zy than bothered to listen to his last record. That alone seems to keep him in business... But, c'mon... just look at him.
The question I have about musicians with controversial opinions is why they present those so thoughtlessly. The bigger the splash, the bigger the mess. If you are truly an advocate of any perspective and want your audience to understand that, aren't you going to make a more lasting dent by consistently knocking on a door at medium tempo, instead of breaking the window and running back to safety? It seems like a steady drumbeat is something musicians would grasp.
You are welcome to the soap box when you use it like that. It should be part of the required reading for anyone who gets the bottom of the article. Cheers!
I also get the sense that it’s getting worse, this growing cancel culture and the belief that anything you disagree with simply shouldn’t exist. Artists should be free to express themselves. If you don’t like it, don’t listen or support, there are plenty of others out there.
That said, Morrissey is a bit of a special case. I’ve always been a fan of his work, but let’s be honest: he’s no stranger to stirring things up. Sometimes it feels like he seeks out controversy just for the thrill of it.
Still, that won’t stop me from listening, and enjoying, his music. Great read & food for thought Tony!
Well said, Tony. Your description of Facebook is spot on. As an active musician, it's a necessary evil, and it's a handy way to keep up with my relatives in England.
Lately, I've experienced the politics/music nexus in terms of friends suggesting I listen to artists because of their politics regardless of the quality of the music, specifically with trans artists.
Off the top of my head, here are a couple favorite examples of the message not getting in the way of powerful music.
That this got me, a straight white married man, through a difficult summer speaks to the power of the song. My identity crisis was about giving up tenure and resigning my professorship without being certain over what was next -- seemingly a far cry from Laura Jane's gender identity struggles, but her song resonated with me.
Hi Dave, I hear you. More I will probably say when I try my best to do the book Listen further justice with a proper review, but what I will say for now, is thank you so much for the Against Me link. What a truly great anthem. I looked up the lyrics online.... Like all the best raucous songs they/she could be singing from the phone book and it would still be great but the lyrics (and the evident delivery of them from the person who wrote them) make it that much greater. I missed this when it came out though I know the band name and once more, have some catalogue digging to do. I initially had a Bruce song on my video dozen but I really wanted to keep it to 12 and was not quite sure of the one Bruce song that connected to me on the political front. Your suggestion is as good as any.
I'm a little surprised you haven't heard Kneecap; you should certainly watch the doc. about them - it may give you some deeper context...and you'll hear the music!
Thanks Hugo as always. Truly, their music has not crossed my path, and still has not, despite the fact I listen to various new music playlists, read lots of fellow Substackers, have friends who shout out their new loves to me directly when they are super excited, and pert he article, have read copious articles about the politics of Kneecap and various repercussions, including yet another one yesterday. At this point, it's become something of a scientific survey at my end!
The irony is that the newspapers, generally those with right-wing agendas, that draw attention to acts whose lyrics and behaviour they condemn, invariably succeed in increasing their reach which in turn adds to their popularity (and earnings).
Hi Chris, thanks... would like to confirm that in your last few words, the "their" you refer to means the "acts whose lyrics and behaviour they condemn" ...?
Not to speak for Mr. C, but isn't the answer 'both'? Don't the acts and the writers make quick bank here? I heard a great quote once, no idea where: "When everybody loses, somebody wins." If a writer or editor allows vilification (or seeks to vilify) an artist, they are, at least as often as not, making that decision to lure readers and hold their attention. Of course. But the "nu martyr" in the deal surely is exposed to sympathetic ears that were not aware of them or their stance prior, while their pre-controversy-of-the-minute supporters are galvanized.
While the readers and listeners are dipped in the mulch, both the artist and the publication can each claim victory and part the field. Underscore 'part the field'. These are hollow wins for either party, surely. The newspaper, blogger, Substacker, social media addict or whomever can only milk something like Kneecap for so long. And that period gets shorter all the time. They soon need a new rain shower to funnel into a coffee cup and call it a hurricane. And the artists, the bands? They'll score in the short term. But then they must either come up with some music good enough to escape the shadow of the controversy, or they must get used to their careers shrinking until they are forgotten and penniless. Or maybe they acquiesce to being a radioactive sideshow, risking their mental health in the bargain. I'll wager more people have an opinion on Kan/Ye/Zy than bothered to listen to his last record. That alone seems to keep him in business... But, c'mon... just look at him.
The question I have about musicians with controversial opinions is why they present those so thoughtlessly. The bigger the splash, the bigger the mess. If you are truly an advocate of any perspective and want your audience to understand that, aren't you going to make a more lasting dent by consistently knocking on a door at medium tempo, instead of breaking the window and running back to safety? It seems like a steady drumbeat is something musicians would grasp.
Thanks for the soap box, Tony.
You are welcome to the soap box when you use it like that. It should be part of the required reading for anyone who gets the bottom of the article. Cheers!
I also get the sense that it’s getting worse, this growing cancel culture and the belief that anything you disagree with simply shouldn’t exist. Artists should be free to express themselves. If you don’t like it, don’t listen or support, there are plenty of others out there.
That said, Morrissey is a bit of a special case. I’ve always been a fan of his work, but let’s be honest: he’s no stranger to stirring things up. Sometimes it feels like he seeks out controversy just for the thrill of it.
Still, that won’t stop me from listening, and enjoying, his music. Great read & food for thought Tony!
Thanks Pe for stopping in and offering your thoughts. I am glad to know the article gave you some food for thought. Cheers!
Well said, Tony. Your description of Facebook is spot on. As an active musician, it's a necessary evil, and it's a handy way to keep up with my relatives in England.
Lately, I've experienced the politics/music nexus in terms of friends suggesting I listen to artists because of their politics regardless of the quality of the music, specifically with trans artists.
Off the top of my head, here are a couple favorite examples of the message not getting in the way of powerful music.
* Against Me - Transgender Dysphoria Blues - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zccutrnwZn4
That this got me, a straight white married man, through a difficult summer speaks to the power of the song. My identity crisis was about giving up tenure and resigning my professorship without being certain over what was next -- seemingly a far cry from Laura Jane's gender identity struggles, but her song resonated with me.
* Bruce Springsteen & The ESB featuring Tom Morello - The Ghost of Tom Joad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-c6GphpAeY
Morello's post-everything guitar pyrotechnics perfectly channel my anger over our terrible class politics.
Hi Dave, I hear you. More I will probably say when I try my best to do the book Listen further justice with a proper review, but what I will say for now, is thank you so much for the Against Me link. What a truly great anthem. I looked up the lyrics online.... Like all the best raucous songs they/she could be singing from the phone book and it would still be great but the lyrics (and the evident delivery of them from the person who wrote them) make it that much greater. I missed this when it came out though I know the band name and once more, have some catalogue digging to do. I initially had a Bruce song on my video dozen but I really wanted to keep it to 12 and was not quite sure of the one Bruce song that connected to me on the political front. Your suggestion is as good as any.