Quote:
Originally Posted by Freebase Dali
Exactly.
But I don't really worry about defining the term 'selling out' at all. If I stop liking a band/artist's music, I simply stop listening to it. I don't stop listening to the music they've made that I do like though.
In one regard, I couldn't care less about the status or the money they make or don't make. If I like the music, that's all that matters.
Let's take Pendulum for instance (since between me and you, we could relate on the Electronic end of the spectrum)... I used to listen to them before they got really big and started deviating from their original style so much, but I don't look at their deviation as a result of fame... instead, I see the fame as a result of the deviation because they've made their music more accessible to the mainstream. Regardless of the motive behind the change, the change in the music itself is what I don't like because that's the factor affecting me.
The sticky part of it, especially with Electronic music, is that evolution is inevitable and encouraged. I like hearing new and creative music. But it's unreasonable to assume that all roads will lead to a destination of your own preference or choosing, so I'm pretty accepting in that regard.
What I don't like, however, is when those changes are made and then serve as enticements for other bands/artists I enjoy who may then follow the same formula simply because it's successful.
Ultimately, I know success is necessary to survive as an artist, but it can seem like a losing battle when all the success hinges on the opinion of a mainstream audience you may not agree with.
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I completely agree. Especially with the bolded part. I was trying to figure out how to explain that point. I think that same thing can be said for a lot of the "sell outs". Lately it seems a lot of Electronic music has almost seemed to lose its boundaries. For example, Trance. Trance was a commercial genre and now it's like an amalgamated version of House, Electro, and some semblance of Trance. Mainly because House and Electro are now the commercial genres of choice. Unfortunately it seems other genres have picked up on this as well and seems like even artists like Noisia are getting in on it. Although, quite awesomely, kickass Ferry Corsten was making Electro influenced Trance all the way back in 03 so he was way ahead of the curve.
But, as you said, Electronic music is a sort of love/hate thing. There's always innovation and evolution so you don't get bored, but then the artists you've come to enjoy will always somehow change and not always for the better. You can never really "expect" anything from anyone.