Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

I'm not bothered by the fact she's popular. I'm bothered by the fact tons of other things aren't. I just wish that other things were allowed to make a cultural mark, that's all.

Besides, what would culture be if there weren't people who didn't get over it? I mean, there's always room for the satirist and commentator. It's not like I turn my computer off, and stab a poster of Lady Gaga fifteen times or anything. I think however, people should be able to share their viewpoint, defy, and rebel. Even if change cannot be made, at least, the viewpoint can be heard.

Fact of the matter is, musicians who actually take risks do not get the same level of notoriety. Beethoven was good, admittedly, but in the end, he was a pop musician. There are tons of composers who are actually better composers who have gotten little to no notoriety in comparison. Not to say he wasn't amazing, and significant.

Gaga isn't destroying music, or overshadowing anybody. However, she's shamelessly aiding, and profiting off of a system that is. Therefore, is just as guilty as the system.

Just saying, there's merit in fighting against the cult of personality. There is no harm in me saying what I'm saying, or taking the viewpoint that I do. I need to vent because I am frustrated, and I need to be frustrated in order to keep my knife sharp to help support the things in which I do. So, I argue, because it's a scarily overly relevant issue in the modern first world.

It's a side effect of passion, my friend. Don't take it so hardly.

Consolator

You must be pretty miserable. I mean, seriously. Amazing, phenomenal work goes under the radar constantly. Even in the indie world, truly amazing stuff gets pushed down for whiny mediocre "OMG WE HATE MAINSTREAM" material. The irony behind that mindset (which you seem to have a little bit of) is that it's really the same. In every genre or subculture of music, there are endless instances of talented, thoughtful work being not given the light of day. I agree, I think it's disheartening for artists trying to make it big. Ultimately though, there will always be people (just take a look at musicbanter) who do appreciate all sorts of music. You're arguing with the wrong people here.

Also, why do you feel she puts no effort into her writing? Have you heard her songs Speechless, Future Love, Born This Way, Greatest, or The Fame? I find it a bit disturbing that you think a ballad (Speechless) written solely to convince her father to not kill himself when he had a terminal illness requires no effort. If that's not "real" writing to you, then please explain to me what is because I apparently have absolutely no idea what is. I think there are times when she does put little to no effort into her writing -- see Just Dance, Telephone, Alejandro, etc. Her next album shows a lot of promise to be more hearty material, less shallow pop crap that her first album was full of.

Also, I thought your whole argument was that Lady Gaga is overshadowing aspiring artists and everything else in the music industry? Now you say you aren't arguing that? You expect her to be humble and make meager advances towards success? That argument is borderline delusional. Yeah, Lady Gaga, stop touring for months on end and working so hard because it isn't fair for other artists that want to be successful. Really? I think most artists want success, but for different reasons. Some want the money, some want as many people as possible to hear their music, some want to make others feel good, some want to be liked or respected, and some want to inspire change in negative ways of thinking. Lady Gaga (at least to me) is doing all of those.

I think you mean well with wishing other things were popular, but you're ultimately wasting your energy, as Vanilla attempted to point out. You say it's "passion", I say it's naivety. My favorite band is an art-rock band from NYC called Elysian Fields. I listen to their albums religiously, and nature is usually the topic of their music. Lyrically, I think they blow everything on the pop radio (Lady Gaga included) out of the water. I wish sometimes that more people could hear their stuff and appreciate the thoughtfulness that goes behind their work, but most people I think would find it to be boring. Their music tends to be pretty slow and I know that when I'm running or working out, I want something fast and upbeat. So I can see how someone may not enjoy it. For me even, it depends on the time and place.

I'm not really sure what I'm saying at this point. So I'm going to end this post, lol. You should be able to take at least something from it.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

See, and that's the spirit.

Case in point, Whether or not there are deeper songs on her catalog is not the issue. It's the fact that it's not particularly about them but rather the few shallow songs she pushes out. Furthermore, it's the fact that even they take a backseat to every other thing. Now WHEN she releases this next album we can talk about it.

Right now, we can discuss Elysian Fields. Where is their thread? If not, make one. Certainly whatever they're doing is worth the effort and time if they're you're favorite. That's more productive to any point than continuing to argue from any side.

Consolator

I have no clue how to embed youtube videos (and I have tried, it usually ends up going horribly wrong.) Otherwise, I would have made a million threads for other artists I like.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Just put copy the video's URL between . IT seems to have worked for me. (quote this thread if it doesn't show up).

Edit: Correction: You have to cut out all but the last jumble of letters and numbers at the end.

example:



P.S. This is actually quite interesting. I think you should be pushing this more.

Consolator

Lmao, that's literally my video you embedded. I will though, I adore their albums.

Scarlett O'Hara

Hmmm....a worldwide tour of the world performing sold out concerts is considered doing nothing to sell her music? Constant updates on Twitter, interviews with Ellen and other media outlets discussing her new album and music already out is not selling her music? Constantly being interviewed by magazines and being in the faces of young girls who buy her music is not going to sell her music? What other ways is there to sell music?

What planet are you on?

I'm not sticking my fingers in my ears, I'm telling you your arguement is empty and pointless. It's like saying the US should be doing more to help poor starving AIDs infested people in Africa because they can afford to but they are not. It's not going to change! Popular music artists will always overshadow obscure 'soulful' music.

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Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

My point was that she's using her music to sell the image not the image to sell the music, but I'm done arguing.

Scarlett O'Hara

Doesn't infact the image sell the music?

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Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Please just take what I say for what it is. If you agree, that's good, if not, than it's in your right, and good as well.