Well said, Matt. That fact about the declining number of bands on the charts over time is amazing. I'm a lifelong musician and I've been in original bands for 35+ years. I'll add two more thoughts to your good points:
1) Being in a band is bloody hard. I'm still friends with most of my former bandmates, but there have still been plenty of arguments and meltdowns over time. For years, I ran my bands as democracies with me as the tone-setter and tiebreaker (being the lead singer, songwriter, leader). My current lineup is a band in name, but I ask for and take less input than ever before, and it's been my smoothest situation. I wish I'd done this years ago.
2) The economics of bands suck even for a successful local/regional artist. My current band has five guys counting myself, and I can't afford to take us on the road without losing loads of money.
Put those things together and I can imagine my 18-year-old self following other bedroom musicians and going it alone with backing tracks or as a duo.
These points are absolutely spot on! That reminds me - that I meant to share a piece I wrote about the affordability of touring: https://recentanddecent.substack.com/p/dont-take-this-piss-with-live-music. On your first point, I've been trying to get a band together for a couple of years now but it's bloody difficult to get people who align with your style and your calendar! You've done incredibly well to keep it together for over 35 years!
I'm filing that to read later, thanks for the link. Thank you! I've been fortunate to play with some lovely people and I've learned how to run a band pretty well by this point. But yes, finding that match you described is not easy. Hope it comes together for you!
Going to add that the economics of practice spaces in cities is just not in the cards for most young people. Bands need shitty/cheap cities to thrive unless the trust fund is there.
Another great point. I, for one, couldn't think of a place to easily practice. None of my friends who play have places big enough. Much easier and cheaper to play alone *sad violin music*
Yes, exactly. I think your last point is crucial. There are so many bands out there but music has fragmented in a way I would’ve found incomprehensible in my teens so none of these bands are in the mainstream. My personal opinion is that streaming has rendered the charts pretty much meaningless although it’s still great to see a band you love get a good showing for a new release if only in the vinyl or indie charts.
Go and see live music and buy merch. It really is the lifeblood of small independent bands.
Here, here. Live music FTW! Yeah, I haven't quite got my head around how the charts even work anymore with the streaming figures. All pretty meaningless, as you say!
Literally that's exactly what it is -- there are a kajillion bands. They're just not in the top 40. So I'm confused by this take... if they aren't mainstream, they don't exist? They aren't worth listening to? Please.
I hope nothing that I wrote even hints that they aren't worth listening to. My last two points directly state that we need to support them. If I had to choose, the Top 40 can go and do one!
Well said, Matt. That fact about the declining number of bands on the charts over time is amazing. I'm a lifelong musician and I've been in original bands for 35+ years. I'll add two more thoughts to your good points:
1) Being in a band is bloody hard. I'm still friends with most of my former bandmates, but there have still been plenty of arguments and meltdowns over time. For years, I ran my bands as democracies with me as the tone-setter and tiebreaker (being the lead singer, songwriter, leader). My current lineup is a band in name, but I ask for and take less input than ever before, and it's been my smoothest situation. I wish I'd done this years ago.
2) The economics of bands suck even for a successful local/regional artist. My current band has five guys counting myself, and I can't afford to take us on the road without losing loads of money.
Put those things together and I can imagine my 18-year-old self following other bedroom musicians and going it alone with backing tracks or as a duo.
These points are absolutely spot on! That reminds me - that I meant to share a piece I wrote about the affordability of touring: https://recentanddecent.substack.com/p/dont-take-this-piss-with-live-music. On your first point, I've been trying to get a band together for a couple of years now but it's bloody difficult to get people who align with your style and your calendar! You've done incredibly well to keep it together for over 35 years!
I'm filing that to read later, thanks for the link. Thank you! I've been fortunate to play with some lovely people and I've learned how to run a band pretty well by this point. But yes, finding that match you described is not easy. Hope it comes together for you!
The pursuit of individualism and being 'on brand', much like we were discussing yesterday, has a lot to do with this I think!
Yes, people feel the pressure to be sellable and perhaps succumb to personal branding more nowadays.
Going to add that the economics of practice spaces in cities is just not in the cards for most young people. Bands need shitty/cheap cities to thrive unless the trust fund is there.
Another great point. I, for one, couldn't think of a place to easily practice. None of my friends who play have places big enough. Much easier and cheaper to play alone *sad violin music*
Yes, exactly. I think your last point is crucial. There are so many bands out there but music has fragmented in a way I would’ve found incomprehensible in my teens so none of these bands are in the mainstream. My personal opinion is that streaming has rendered the charts pretty much meaningless although it’s still great to see a band you love get a good showing for a new release if only in the vinyl or indie charts.
Go and see live music and buy merch. It really is the lifeblood of small independent bands.
Here, here. Live music FTW! Yeah, I haven't quite got my head around how the charts even work anymore with the streaming figures. All pretty meaningless, as you say!
Literally that's exactly what it is -- there are a kajillion bands. They're just not in the top 40. So I'm confused by this take... if they aren't mainstream, they don't exist? They aren't worth listening to? Please.
I hope nothing that I wrote even hints that they aren't worth listening to. My last two points directly state that we need to support them. If I had to choose, the Top 40 can go and do one!
no no i meant I'm confused at the take you were responding to!
Well, I guess I wasn't responding to any thought or response in particular but to the data. Just sharing my ad-hoc thoughts!
Richard Osman's take (with, to me, irrelevant data) that bands have disappeared. I thought I was (emphatically) agreeing with you. Apologies.