I have many friends that are musicians – some very good, some le
ss so, some successful, some less so. It has long bothered me that friends (and people I don’t know) who make incredible music whether it is in their garage or in a large recording studio cannot make enough money to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. I have always gone out of my way to support local musicians whether they are friends or not. I insist on paying to get into gigs, I buy records, merchandise and listen to community radio to hear what new music is being produced in my part of the world.
So why is it that someone who kicks a ball around a field has a mansion by the sea and enough food to feed an entire nation when talented artists are relegated to the corridors of call centres out of the necessity to make a living? Why can’t musicians, painters, poets, writers et al be endowed with the financial means to hone their craft and continue to create great art without having to take up a day job?
Of course, there are artists out there living the high life or at least living off the proceeds of their work, but they are few and far between, and all too often their work is pedestrian at best. In Australia there are maybe two or three bands that make a living solely from their music. With the advent of downloads and online music sales, it goes without saying that even their proceeds would be decreasing.
It certainly seems that in terms of music, the mediocre are being applauded more than ever and to be successful financially you must adhere to the fashion of the moment. A good friend of mine who used to play in a local band was constantly frustrated with the music scene and the punters. He eventually walked away from his dreams and now pursues music as a hobby only. While there always has and hopefully always will be an audience for local, underground, obscure, or indie music their numbers are not enough.
Augie March are a Melbourne band that I love more than I dare go into here. They commenced their career in 1996 and played small pubs around town and released a few EPs before their critically acclaimed debut album came out in 2000. The following year I found myself following the band around Australia to see every live show they put on. They released another critically acclaimed album a few years later and I loved them even more. In 2005 I moved overseas to Germany where my exposure to music was mainly limited to MTV and other music video channels. I returned to Australia in 2006 to find Augie March on Video Hits and MTV Australia and I heard their music on commercial radio, in shopping centres and at half time during football matches. I was blown away and utterly confused. What had changed in the 12 months that I was gone? There had been a shift in what was viewed as fashionable by radio stations and subsequently what was viewed as fashionable by the consumers. Bands had replaced pop singers and it was now cool to wear “rock chick” outfits and attend concerts. Radio was playing bands that had previously wallowed in obscurity and it seemed that musicians were finally getting the recognition they deserved.
On closer inspection, radio was branching out but still playing it safe. Mediocre rock bands popped up out of nowhere and stormed the record charts with their three minute rock-pop singles. Popular acts were still being groomed by A&R representatives and record company big wigs. The public was still being fed music that didn’t excite or challenge. They were mesmerised by guitars and boys in tight jeans.
Augie March toured nationally in mid 2009 amidst rumours they were calling it quits. Glenn Richards, singer/songwriter for the band said that they were on hiatus because they were sick of not being able to pay the rent. Despite their success – or perceived success – they still didn’t have any money.
I can’t blame Augie March for walking away from the music industry. I can’t blame anyone for wanting to have a nice place to live or the comfort of knowing where their next pay cheque is coming from. But I get angry and I get frustrated that despite their talent, ability and success, it still wasn’t enough. How devastating it must be for an artist to hang up their guitar, put away their paint brush, or lay down their pen when they have had enough of the struggle. And how devastating for myself and others who look to these artists for inspiration, courage, comfort and guidance when all we are left with is Vampire Weekend and Twilight. It’s enough to make you want to blow yourself to pieces in a cornfield as Van Gogh did.
"Art has no survival value, rather it is one of the things that makes survival valuable."
