REALLY LONG whine about non singing v. -ahem-"real" singing

Been a while, right?

Crazy up in here, with trying to find a job, musical or otherwise, and it’s led me to this most current rant. I keep hearing, from musicians who chat with me about singing for them, to not, um, sing so much. This is the ad that, typical of many, made me want to pull my hair out, and rant to all of you. I care more than I should perhaps, since I NEED a JOB!!! and thought, as an experienced vocalist, I could maybe find one doing what I’ve been trained to do (and don’t get me started on how “trained” is a dirty word in many music circles). Apparently, I was insane:

He WANTS a sound like Zooeys’ ??? Not a "singer"? UGH!!! Grant you, this one isn’t a paid gig, so who cares, right? I do! Why do people WANT non singers? Can you fathom an ad that said , “Looking for guitar player, who doesn’t really play very well, a la {insert name of bad guitarist}”-you’ll never see that. never ever. Don't you want the front person to be bigger than life? Or smaller? 

And I’ve had potential paying gigs-recording, back ups etc-where the head guy -always a guy- said the same thing: No vibrato, cut the melodies down, be quieter (which I hear as smaller, less visible, less powerful). So, I try to do that-hey, I need the money. I’m certainly capable of what I call “undersigning”, but coupled with nearly ALL the current female vocalists, (and many male too), I’ve definitely heard a trend, and would like to know:

WHY, OH WHY?!?!??! does no one want to hear real singers in rock anymore?

It used to be, in the 70’s, 80’s and even some of the 90’s, that though there were always loads of screamy, less melodic, attitude heavy singers/talkers/growlers, etc, (many of whom I like-it's in the lyrics and passion), there was still room for big, full voiced, melodic singing.

Now if you like to hear that, or sing like that (like me), you’re relegated to either show tunes, (fine, but not what I wanna do)-OR-horrible, very badly written, soulless, meaningless, American crappy Idol worthy pop. (oh, or over the top opera death metal stuff-but who can do that with a straight face?)

Evidence: (some of these I’ve probably referenced before, but-oh well)

1970’s/80’s HUGE singing/beautiful technique/all that, which influenced me a lot, not knowing it'd be passe when I was grown.

Journey: (having a resurgence in popularity, thanks to Glee, though I’m not sure that’s a good thing, even though I’m a total Gleek)

Heart:

Boston:

Queen (sigh---love)

Pat Benetar:

Guns N roses-Axl had a weird but totally great voice-can YOU hold notes that long??? didn’t think so.

Then, in the 90’s a few people with cahones/melodic sense, big range and –horror of horrors-passion still managed to get some love:

Faith No More: (he does jazz too-still has a great voice)

wait: I was going to have another example-and couldn’t find one!

I loved this song back in the day, and she uses oodles of range here, but…it’s also pop-but here it is anyway, just because:

ummmmmmm

honestly? I can think of a zillion 80’s women with decent vocs-Cyndi, Bonnie Tyler, Berlin, Melissa Etheridge-but they’re either pop, or not originally 90’s! Who am I missing?

ok-so already, there was a singing depletion in the 90’s..and the 2000’s?

I can think of one-1 guy with a range, the ability to be loud, pretty, and also passionate over rock music: You’ve probably heard of him-though still understated by 70’s standards-he does have a really great voice/range and-oh-what is that? Is that vibrato on the high notes?!? Yes, yes it is. Please note he also does this thing where some of the notes in his lyric line are more than 2 notes away from the previous ones….MELODY!!! OMG!!!! 
Also please note-this "singing" of his did not hinder their success.

So again, why are we so against it now?

ok-maybe these guys too- (one hit wonder, anyone?) And really beautiful singing. sigh.

And maybe the Killers..but again, males-why not the ladies? WHY?!?!?! AAAAAARGH!

Though there are plenty of bands who play simply, this attitude about hating-really HATING-the sound of a full voiced melodic singer seems unique to vocals.  Guitarists? spray all over the place. Drummers? bang away! Vocs? stop singing so much! Please sound apathetic/uninterested/short phrased and mildly off key.

This seems to be the norm now: and I KNOW I’ll get people mad with this:

oh look! I can talk and squeak! I have a two note chorus! I’m not making any real discernable words in the bridge! I can whisper and move my arms! ok, "but she’s COOL"! you might say. Fine. But she’s not singing much, and simple is awesome if you have something to say, which, well, she doesn't seem to; she not only bores me, she seems to be boring herself. Why bother? 

Here’s the typical male voice now-nasal, not much melody, then: 'I’m yelling! It’s my feelings! I’m serious!! AAAAAAAH!' This dude is traveling with the warped tour! I used to LOVE the warped tour. I think I'm old now.

http://www.myspace.com/nevershoutnever

So hopefully, this is a trend, and singers will once again, be allowed to sing.

I promise I’ll try to do my part!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corduroy-Days/185300002278?ref=ts

But please, everyone, PLEASE tell me if I’m missing something? I really want to know. 

Why is singing well in ROCK music uncool? Why is having passion uncool?

Why am I then, by definition for wanting to really sing, so damn uncool?

L

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

ok, I’m done.

Does money/success make your creativity DIE? with Links GALORE!!!!

So we’re all familiar with the sellout concept. A band has the crazy notion that earning a living with their music might be nice, and everyone hates them for it. Of course, in some of these cases, it’s because they are being hypocrites, or selling anything and everything. I was kinda bummed to find this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mSE-Iy_tFY&feature=related

oh, Mr. Rotten…sigh….

If you sing against corporate America, then do a global ad for something,well, you look disingenuous.

But I’ve noticed another trend with some of my favorite artists, and though I can find examples to the contrary, it seems worth noting.

Being rich makes you a lazy songwriter. There, I said it. Notice, I didn’t say, “earning money makes you lazy songwriter”. If you give loads away, and are still living a somewhat normal life, it seems you’re still grounded enough to be a good writer.

But, here’s some examples of people I used to love, and am now very annoyed with.

Let’s start with Billy Corgan. Listen to/watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrivjzw0RlI

then this: and don’t hate me-this is pretty…..just….missing something, no?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLPgz9K4D20 (ZWAN)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7HheYR-vDM&feature=related

meh…

then, one of my favs (from the little I know of her)-Dolly. I think, that though she’s still as sweet as can be, her early stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1plvBR02wDs (Jolene)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zJzr-kWsI (Coat of many colors)-if this doesn’t make you cry, you have no heart.

far outshines this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-H5Nr25pLU&feature=related

which feels like a ad for a self help book or something. And it’s not to say “happy” songs are always silly. Here’s some happy songs that are still lyrically interesting, and musical from the same artists:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQSxwzOngMU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_utP1mGoutQ

onto others: Here’s Cat Stevens:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4-IZTZkTY8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwdJUcMHRSs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p38vI42QFO4

then-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaCapq2ldX4

ACK!!!! Did he forget how to create images? Even Peace Train was deeper than this.

oh Cat. ugh. Of course, arguably, this isn’t about his money, but if his money and fame made him become a crazy religious passionless guy, then I think it still fits.

Here’s another one:

Bob Dylan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwSZvHqf9qM (Bob Dylan,Tangled up in Blue)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ_XhVAxxJ8 (Bob Dylan, simple Twist of fate)

then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RPkJeziNyI (Bob Dylan, Thunder on the Mountain)

grant you the music’s good, but the lyrics?!?! ew and it’s a lot about the lyrics for me.

ok-so here’s a more modern example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFM7Ty1EEvs (U2-Sunday Bloody Sunday)

then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98W9QuMq-2k vertigo

and I love! the song vertigo, but for all the cool stuff they do, this song is pretty dumb.

I mean, “one two three fourteen”? Hello hello-where did your skills go?

And in case you think I’m all raggin on too many men, here’s No Doubt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHzOOQfhPFg (Just a girl)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiBX-ESFDF0 (Sunday Morning)

then omg:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gwen+stefani+hollaback&search_type=&aq=0

just……ew

ok….due to fried brain, this is all I can do-but you get the idea.

Prove me wrong, or tell me what else is going on , but I think that old “their first album was better” thing, stands for a reason, and not just because they change their sound and people are wary of change…Or is it?! What do you think?

check out my tunes

look to the right.
That neato little widget connects to my solo stuff-
I'm also in an awesome band called "Corduroy Days", which you can listen to here:
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thanks!
enjoy.

Hi there!

(For working links, please see my original post here:

http://www.chewtheword.com/?p=510 )

I was reading an article the other day that really got my panties in a twist. This is what it said:

“In 2003, Jett was named in the Rolling Stone greatest 100 guitarists of all time at number 87.^[12] She was one of only two women in this list. The other was Joni Mitchell at number 72″

Really? REALLY?!?!?!?! TWO women on the WHOLE LIST?????

um. HELLOOOOOOOOO!

yeah, so I got annoyed. I mean, Bonnie Rait, Joan Baez, Charo (really!) and all the ladies in these videos, are amazing guitarists!

I mean, seriously?!?!??!?!

I think I’ve made my point.-have I? I’ll keep going anyway.

These are not huge anomalies. Women in rock might be less promoted (I only really knew of female pop singers that got anywhere when I was a kid), but they’re there nonetheless. Really good musicians that too few people know of. This took merely a few minutes to search, so Rolling Stone?

suck. my. ovaries.

Look, when it began, RS was full of music info, and politics, and had people who made music on the cover. Crazy! I know. NOW-it’s full of music info and reviews (good), politics (cool), and-ladies on the cover who might have never have sung ever, but look super good licking ice cream. ARRRRRRGH!

When there are so many awesome musicians of both genders that could be promoted, WHY is the damn cast of Gossip Girl on the cover of my music mag!? What is Megan Fox doing on there? People pleeeeeze! RS isn’t the only one, but it’s the one that ends up in my mailbox, so that’s my target at the moment. Are men exploited too? Absolutely-that werewolf kid was on there too-(I’ve honestly ripped the covers off a lot of them lately, ’cause I want to read them, but get so annoyed.) But I’d like to know when the last time a woman who wasn’t sexualized in some way, or young and pretty, got a cover. ‘Cause the older, respected, less than beautiful men gracing covers are plentiful. They’re on the covers as music legends, and deserve it! But when did Patti Smith last get a cover? Famous for her prolific songwriting and influence of many who came after her, male and female, Patti was last on the cover, if my research is correct, in 1978. 78. 78! ok, maybe I’m wrong. I mean, Keith Richards was on the cover a couple years ago! And, I’m sorry, but it’s probably not because he’s super hot looking.

Do this search. Google ‘Rolling Stone covers’, and hit images. Britney? ladies licking things? AC/DC guys? Convicted male gang members? all there. Normal looking women in music? even SUPER famous ones? uh…no. ugly men? yes.

To be clear-I’m not anti-female sexuality. I’m not even anti sex industry! (It’s in the details.) But I am anti-list makers discounting women in this century, when these things can easily looked up and verified. There’s no reason to be that tiny minded anymore, and clearly? Some women can rock.

Conversely, and yeah, I gotta say it: It is also very sexist to push female groups simply because they’re all female. Gimmick or not, if the music isn’t great, don’t support it.

If you are in the minority, you can only really break barriers being as good as, or better than, the majority. If you wouldn’t listen to the exact same thing played by men, you shouldn’t support it simply because it’s played by women. Support your lady friends, absolutely! (support ALL your friends’ artistic endeavors!) BUT don’t support them simply because they happen to all be women. That’s not helpful. Basically, once we all recognize that some are good, and some are ok, and some are crap, (just like in everything), we’ll be on an equal playing field. No one gets better without constructive criticism.

Soooooo-find cool music and support it! Male or female led, old or young, black or white, or asian or whatever! Support good music, and we can, as a nation, push out the crappy crap that has taken over.

so, #1-If a female musician is good, and happens to be hot, more power to her, but can’t she be on the cover clothed? I mean, for the music mags anyway-take this to playboy! geeze

Christina Aguilera can really sing-and yet......

#2-being hot doesn’t make her talented, or her music good. Example below: (yeah, it’s entertaining, but….sigh. she’s not really a singer, is she? She’s a dancer!-people are mad now, I can tell!)

Like a virgin, my ass

and finally-

#3 I dunno. can’t we just judge the music on it’s own merit? It should be a bonus if you get turned on too, right? Some music is so great, and the the person performing it is so into what they’re doing, they seem more beautiful than they’d seem otherwise-and that’s when the magic happens.

to wit:

Patti Smith-because the night

with musical passion,

-Lea

I promise next time, I’ll try to minimize the linkage, but I love sharing my discoveries! Please share yours as well if so inclined.

from "Chew the Word" blog-

ok, I will fess up immediately that I’m slow. I have no excuse except a lack of imagination.
Growing up in Maine, there were record stores, and plenty of radio stations, and yet I feel like I missed something. I missed a LOT of somethings.
What I did love, besides musicals and old timey stuff, was classic rock. The Who, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, CCR, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, The Doors- but I was only catching the biggies-the stuff you’d hear on the radio. I felt that knowing Aerosmiths’ earlier tunes made me some sort of smart music lover. sigh
I branched off occasionally-I once liked a skater who was into the Sex Pistols, which quite frankly, scared the crap out of me then. I knew that protest songs had been sung before-in far prettier ways, and with much nicer guitar playing, so why yell?
And so it was, in my sheltered, frequently PG rated childhood, that I missed out on thepolitics, the passion, and the point! of tons of other types of music. I thought angry music was for hateful people.
Yet even though I was sheltered from angry music, I wasn’t sheltered from life. I had shit happen to me; nasty things, embarrassing things, anger inducing things, and figured I was the only one to feel so out of control of her emotions. Really! I thought that.
I now wish, as I often do, that I could go back in time. I would get my hands on more punk music, and read about the issues that made them want to yell. I would pick up a guitar and learn to write my own damn songs instead of singing everyone else’s. I would buyRunaways albums, and learn how women can not only own their sexuality, (which young girls are not told enough, and which will have to be another posting, I think), but also sometimes get mad. The one thing I never did as a teenage girl, was allow anyone to see me get really mad. I didn’t know it was ok, and I had no outlet for my angst. And honestly? I coulda used one. Instead of making myself throw up when I was mad (ew), why did it not occur to me to get an electric guitar and wail on it?! WHY?!?
I learned to be productively angry eventually, but it took longer than it should have.
So finally after many moons of introspection, here’s what I learned: Henry Rollins is really cool. Marylin Manson is not that scary, and has some good songs. System of a Down,Fugazi, Dead Kennedys, Dinosaur Jr-all had something to say, and said it! Some of the players, like Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, even started organizations to inspire political involvement. Damn I wish I’d known that before!
So I’m rediscovering the music of my youth (or before my youth into my 20’s), and healing old wounds and misconceptions in the process.
I’m inspired. A lot of these people are still out there doing what they love, and reaching people.
So, really, all my rambling is to say: it’s never too late to learn, or listen to styles of music you used to claim to “hate”. Especially true if you’re into writing or playing music yourself. You might find new appreciation for it. It can only expand your musical palate, and who doesn’t need that?
I’m learning history lessons from lyric sheets, and have just scratched the surface.

Am I gonna scream when I sing now? No, but I can appreciate it now-and will try to be as fired up as they were, when I do my thing my way. It’s about being purposeful. Even if you sound more like Joan Baez.

Next up for me? Country.
we’ll see.

-Lea

to see this w links and photos, go to:

http://www.chewtheword.com/?p=330

New music blog

I'll be posting on a music blog for a friend, and bandmate, and possibly cross posting here as well.

Check it out!

http://www.chewtheword.com/

It's a blog site for artists and observers. Lots of stuff to check out, and just starting up, so take a look and comment, so we can make it a better site!

thanks.

imitation as flattery? or something more?

I'm asking a sincere question based on a recent show I went to, and from the perspective of another performer. A week ago or so, I went to see my friends' show, Brotherhood of the Jug band Blues, at the Jalopy Theater in Brooklyn. His band put on a fun show to celebrate a cd release, and a good time was had by all!

Before they played, however, a band called, "the Dough Rollers" played, and though their sound was good (meaning they were skilled musicians), I got a bad feeling watching them, a bit of unease. Check out the video on their Myspace page and then read on.

Now, I should preface my comments by saying that after they were introduced, the main singer said a quick word of thanks in the sort of voice you'd expect a young, 20 something to have: no growl, no whisky soaked raspy timbre, no accent. He sounded fresh from Connecticut or something, and seemed very sweet. I must also stress that I think what he, and his band are doing, is from a sincere love of the music, which is important to note.

I watched them, was surprised when he sang like an old world weary black blues man. I say black man, as opposed to simply, old man, because he is singing songs from the catalogues of black blues men from the early 20th century or thereabouts. I thought they did a good job, and was simply amused, until I tried to imagine them performing in Harlem. I tried to imagine how I would feel if I were an African american, and watched this. Would I be impressed? or insulted?

Now, I have sung my share of covers. I've sung many genres, and have NO problem with people singing someone else's music. I have no problem with people singing in other languages which aren't theirs, styles they didn't grow up with, music written a hundred, or heck, a thousand years before they were born. White people have performed music written by African americans, and vice versa-this is not my issue. My problem, is that one should perform these songs honestly. With their OWN voice. I've sung Aretha Franklin tunes-I tried to sound strong, as she sang them, but I still sang them in my voice. I've sung "Summertime", and "Can't help Lovin that man", but as me. I would feel differently if he was a character in a play perhaps, but he's presenting this as his style.

On the flip side, here's a white man singing an old appalachian dirge which was used in the soundtrack of "O brother where art thou". Now, that's believable! That's clearly his voice. What a song, and what a difference!

There's got to be some kind of difference between trying to get to the essence of a sound, and interpreting a song, and imitating, or impersonating, an artist. I've done both, and I would hope someone would call me out on it, if I seemed to be so affected, as to be mimicking. In my early 20's I certainly did too much of trying to sound like others, in a way to learn how they made their sounds, and grow my "repertoire" of sounds in my own voice. But for a while, I forgot what I sounded like when I wasn't trying to imitate another person, and it took a long time to see what I could create more authentically on my own.

I'll sing, influences and all, whatever seems to fit the tone of the music and lyrics best, and what feels right to me, limited only by what my vocal cords can do. This is all personal, and preferential-what sounds good to me, doesn't sound good to everyone, but it's mine. Changing, growing, but mine. Can Malcolm say the same? Is that how he sang as a kid? Is that what his voice naturally does with ease, or -OR-is he mimicking the people he loves? Is this offensive? Is it really not?

What do you think? am I overreacting? being too sensitive?

I'm really torn here-not sure why it affects me so. I want to like these kids-but it feels kinda wrong.