I know that art does in fact bring people together. I've seen communitys based on art and music. Communitys that everyone is invited to be a part of. Touring bands from all over the U.S. used to frequent my hometown. Punks from chicago would ride their bikes into the suburbs to see acts such as Paul Baribeau (MI), Matty Pop Chart (IN), Boo Hiss (KA), and Ben Laatsch (CA). We'd dumpster dive at bagel shops to bring bagels to the shows for people to eat. We we're a strong and open community.
2. I'm never into one artist, musician, or writer at once. I'm always exploring many different artists to feed my appetite. But, to make this whole thing work, I'll talk about Grizzly Bear. I've been a very big fan of them since they released "Yellow House" in 2006. I don't own any Grizzly Bear cd's, and I have no Grizzly Bear shirts or merchandise. For the most part, I try to support bands by going to shows, or having a group of friends and myself take them out to dinner. Most good bands understand kids don't have money to spend $15 for a cd and $25 for a t-shirt. No person should ever have to pay for a low quality mp3...I'll leave it at that.
3. Dear Jack Kerouac,
The life you lived and wrote about in your book on the road, inspires me to no end. It makes me ache knowing that I am not on the road anymore. I've experienced so many similar situations and fun times while on DIY tours in the mid-west, I miss it so much. I wish you were around to teach me to write like you and I'd love your input on my music. Recently, I was running away to Philadelphia to live with a girl I was completely in love with. Things didn't work out and now I'm going to be attending Columbia College Chicago in the fall if everything goes as planned. But, if it wasn't for your inspiration I'd probably wouldn't have even tried to follow my heart somewhere far away. I am not scared to get lost in some far away place, and thanks for that.
Ryan, I agree about art being near impossible to define, yet I think it's good for us to question how it arises in our lives, as it has become this term that nobody wants to deal with and everyone leaves as a sort of Godly form. As For Grizzly Bear, they are quite phenomenal, consistent, and dedicated musicians, all working on many projects. Do you think less people buy cd's? Do You believe that it is okay to burn music? These are random questions I have because I think that I am the last of a generation that still won't listen to music before it is released and won't rip cd's. As for Kerouac, I tried to jump a train after reading that book. It is a staple in the Greats. Have you read Dharma Bums? --Flynn
ReplyDeleteI guess growing up in the digital age has really effected the way I feel about music. I feel I shouldn't have to pay for anything below cd quality tracks, not to mention if it doesn't come with the album art, album details, etc. I feel music corporations rip people off and the real musicians don't even make much from the sales. I've leaked every cd I've made before their was a hard copy and I know many well known musicians who do the same. I guess If i knew the artist cared so much about it I wouldn't do it. But I feel most bands just want you to goto their shows and the more people you rip cds for the more fans you make who will goto shows and buy merchandise. I've only read On The Road, and the Subterraneans. But as soon as the local used book store gets Dharma Bums I'll definitely check it out.
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