I disagree, I think it's time people took seriously the idea
of PREVENTING or BREAKING-UP the "ClearChannel near-monopoly
of programming."
So should we also stop watching independent films and instead put
pressure on the major studios to produce more leftfield movies for
fear that they will eventually kill the indy market? No. I think you
misjudge the position. It's not a position of retreat, it's using the
weapons at your immediate disposal to fight the battle instead of
asking the enemy if you can borrow his guns.
Yes, thank you. I really can't add much else to Kamal's words here...
they articulated my feeling better than I probably could have. I guess
Tosh maybe a tone I perceived set me off to a kneejerk reaction, but
I'm so TIRED of of people telling me over the years it's just a tiny
tiny niche, why bother in the US, etc, marginalizing the effect, all US
radio is dead/worthless, etc. That's B.S. If I had a nickel for
everytime I heard that... I'd be, uh, ordering lots more records.
It's not a lost cause NOR is the solution is a singleminded coup (or
outlaw) of ClearChannel. Personally I prefer to soak whoever will
listen with music, over faxing the government protest letters and
trying to prevent "them".. god knows there are small armies of lawyers
and politicians already trying to do just that.. and I bet those
attorneys can't pack a crate or DJ for sh!t either... ha. But more
power to them, there's no single silver bullet, there are dozens of
good forward-thinking electronic music programs in the US.. check Beats
in Space on WNYU, Crush Collision on WCBN, Small Change on WFMU, and
as you mentioned Liz Copeland on WDET, etc.) Hell in Chicago there are
probably at least 4 or 5 other shows I can think of that are pushing
their own forms of future funk, deep house, techno, or whatever you
want to call it... point is there ARE alternatives, and they're not
pissing in the wind, many have powerful transmitters and "prime"
airtime.
ClearChannel is emerging as a bigger target than Micro$oft for
anti-trust legislation, it's just that with the current administration
in office, they are sitting well protected ...for now? For ever? But
my personal position is do what you can with with you got on the air,
it's (ok, I can't resist the UR-ism) a form of sonic warfare. The
question is where are you most equipped to fight, and with what tools
are you most effective? What inspires you? Does fighting corporations
inspire you? Knock yourself out, I'd prefer to Rock the Discotheque,
in your car, living room or via podcast.
this is radio clash using aural ammunition
this is radio clash can we get that world to listen?
this is radio clash on pirate satellite
orbiting your living room,
cashing in the bill of rights.
this is radio clash on pirate satellite
this is radio clash -- everybody hold on tight!!
PS -- Brave New Waves is pretty legendary, now sure there isn't massive
population density up there, but who cares, they have like, what, 4
hours, EVERY WEEKNIGHT? That's a stunning amount of airtime, even if
it's late night... music for interiors. It's hitting people upside
their heads with indie labels. There are lots of formats and labels
that would kill to have that kind of exposure... they must get promos
by the truckload too. I have caught some of their interviews archived
online too, they bring a depth to it a typical mixshow doesn't by
having that much time to stretch it out.
peace
--
MM
http://sonicsunset.com
