Paging Mike Watt...("The kids of today should defend themselves against the 90s") 😂
As much as I have always loved what my generation did (generally speaking) when they took the steering wheel of the pop culture zeitgeist, The Presidents always struck me as a wonderful anomaly of the times: pure fun, no angst, no drug overdoses, no arrests, no stupid feuds with other bands, no creepy or embarrassing allegations with women, no ugly breakup, never taking themselves too seriously, and nobody died. I'm not that surprised that shrewd business skills and a fair sense of equity among the band members would be ingredients to all of that. Good times and level heads: what a concept. Kudos to them!
John, insightful read thank you. What insight do you have-i.e. how would you advise artists--regarding encouraging listener behavior to favorably influence algorithms for Spotify et to game being added to more playlists (more exposure) and link that to financials (can they negotiate points for higher plays followers, etc) in their contracts?
A lot of ground to cover. We’re all constantly figuring out digital marketing. It’s a fast-moving target. More exciting and dynamic, and less relationship based, than radio. As far as the royalties, there are plenty of new, heavily negotiated deal structures. It’s beautiful chaos because artists suddenly have actual leverage. The point of this and others from this Substack.
Great essay. We’re going to see Billy and the Machines of God next month at Saint Andrew’s Hall — can’t hardly wait! My favorite Presidents song is @George of the Jungle” lol
When Kid A was being released The Hideout in Chicago did a midnight listening party. They asked for bands to perform Radiohead songs before midnight. Just come, sign up for a time slot and play a song. Most people played songs from OK Computer along with “Creep”. The band I was in played “The Bends” and I think we were the only people who performed something from that record.
Great essay. Just listened to ILS for the first time in decades and found it insufferable. That Vedder vocal style…. As awful in its own hypermale way as the twee flaccidness of Sufjan Stevens or Bon Iver a generation later.
I dunno. I have or have had professional affiliations with both those artists and I’m a massive fan of both of them! I mean, that is absolutely my shit.
Fair enough. As is said, and I need to remind myself of it constantly: “the great thing about art is that you don’t have to like it.” Obviously, any vocal style that comes into vogue does so because it reaches people in some emotional way.
Paging Mike Watt...("The kids of today should defend themselves against the 90s") 😂
As much as I have always loved what my generation did (generally speaking) when they took the steering wheel of the pop culture zeitgeist, The Presidents always struck me as a wonderful anomaly of the times: pure fun, no angst, no drug overdoses, no arrests, no stupid feuds with other bands, no creepy or embarrassing allegations with women, no ugly breakup, never taking themselves too seriously, and nobody died. I'm not that surprised that shrewd business skills and a fair sense of equity among the band members would be ingredients to all of that. Good times and level heads: what a concept. Kudos to them!
The Presidents are indeed very fortunate to own and control--and to have done, for years-- their hits..I envy...
Yes but the point is that the opportunities lie ahead, for you as well!
John, insightful read thank you. What insight do you have-i.e. how would you advise artists--regarding encouraging listener behavior to favorably influence algorithms for Spotify et to game being added to more playlists (more exposure) and link that to financials (can they negotiate points for higher plays followers, etc) in their contracts?
A lot of ground to cover. We’re all constantly figuring out digital marketing. It’s a fast-moving target. More exciting and dynamic, and less relationship based, than radio. As far as the royalties, there are plenty of new, heavily negotiated deal structures. It’s beautiful chaos because artists suddenly have actual leverage. The point of this and others from this Substack.
Great essay. We’re going to see Billy and the Machines of God next month at Saint Andrew’s Hall — can’t hardly wait! My favorite Presidents song is @George of the Jungle” lol
When Kid A was being released The Hideout in Chicago did a midnight listening party. They asked for bands to perform Radiohead songs before midnight. Just come, sign up for a time slot and play a song. Most people played songs from OK Computer along with “Creep”. The band I was in played “The Bends” and I think we were the only people who performed something from that record.
Great essay. Just listened to ILS for the first time in decades and found it insufferable. That Vedder vocal style…. As awful in its own hypermale way as the twee flaccidness of Sufjan Stevens or Bon Iver a generation later.
I dunno. I have or have had professional affiliations with both those artists and I’m a massive fan of both of them! I mean, that is absolutely my shit.
Fair enough. As is said, and I need to remind myself of it constantly: “the great thing about art is that you don’t have to like it.” Obviously, any vocal style that comes into vogue does so because it reaches people in some emotional way.