Underground Reality #1: The Apathy in the Music ‘Scene’
Building micro communities, encouraging a culture of mentorship by senior musicians and turning small jam rooms into performance venues are just some of the ways to help the music ‘scene’ in India
The evaluations, analyses and rhetoric discussions of an ailing music ”˜scene’ in our country have honestly bored the fuck out of anyone with even basic powers of understanding the heart of the problem. In India, musicians who played ”˜gigs’ always did so for fun and passion. It was never supposed to be a viable career and here is where the problem lies. Music was copied off records and regurgitated to fans of cover music. This further cemented the love for popular music and in a way stymied /slowed down the growth of good original material. This is normal — a regression with audiences — and is something even the West faces today.
Contrary to some articles I have read, we have a massive pool of talent in our country straddling all genres that has honed their abilities ever since the Internet came along and write original material. It is for lack of a stable and solid future that acts haven’t sustained their interests and continued. A solid culture in music education, supportive venues and a vibrant crowd of listeners will be core to addressing a revival. In terms of pure quality control, education in music sieves the serious from the hobbyist and besides syntax it teaches focus. From this focus and dedication comes quality material and good material will always attract a crowd. Most venues/event organizers are slaves to the ”˜bottom line’. This is far removed from music or its objective and though commerce is extremely important the gains cannot be viewed from a short-term perspective. This is a community-and-art-building initiative and cannot be viewed as a sterile business, everyone knows this.
Musicians who have gained from an education/experience must be involved in a missive to culture and nurture the younger bands playing. Be it by sharing information or mentoring them. Not many senior musicians even consider this. Too busy protecting their amassed wealth and stature.
Micro communties
The concept of micro communities that enjoy the same tastes needs to be implemented. Be it for robotics, photography, music”¦whatever. People who gravitate, empathize and understand the need to support a form. The kids playing heavy metal display this support system born out of a lack of external support. The bands will always be seen supporting each other at gigs, sharing material and hosting their own gigs. We need to learn from this model and extrapolate the positives to build a solid scene.
The biggest event organizers support ”˜big names’ and ignore the multitude of talented young bands that would vastly benefit from an outing at any of these festivals. The same tired-ass acts are floated every year without fail. This had led to dipping turnouts at gigs and the quick solution to this was to get Bollywood in.
Case closed. Coffers were filled and that’s that.
We need a thrust
Our problem is apathy; we do not hesitate to drop to our knees for an average foreign band but will refuse to support a really good Indian one. Quality acts will be born out of unconditional support and will revive a pseudo gig culture in the long run. What we see are hackneyed tribute bands, corporate serenading acts, the unavoidable Bollywood circus and the odd crowdfunding request for a band album. Festivals without ulterior motives other than music will be part of the solution. Venues with genuinely able talent scouts (a rarity beyond belief) and many small satellite events like clinics, workshops etc. will ensure interest and foster growth. Unconditional thrust is what we need”¦no less.
Start small
What if small nodal centers were set up countrywide with an ability to network among the like-minded. Small jam rooms contracted to host small performances and the network then exchange artists to then travel across nodes and spread their music. Audiences will increase in their numbers and musicians will be encouraged to continue playing. This can be easily accomplished with an Internet sponsored initiative. It’s a simple model of a sustainable culture to tide a repressed scene. It’s hardly Utopian and needs to be supported by those driven by the passion of wanting this to happen. Bands cannot be selfish and not be supportive of their peers, there is enough of that. It has failed miserably. In taking small positive steps, we will definitely experience and enjoy a revival that is self-sustained and permanent. The words are empathy and passion because without these”¦gag on Bollywood.
