The Passing of “Punk’s Godfather,” Lou Reed

A disbelieving silence seemed to fall over countless fans, musicians, and loved ones as news of Lou Reed’s death was shared on October 27^th. The iconic musician reportedly died from liver disease at his home in Southampton, New York.

It isn’t hard to understand why fans and fellow artists are deeply mourning the loss of Lou Reed, as he was undoubtedly one of music’s contemporary legends. His work spanned the genres of rock and roll, experimental art rock, avant-garde, and glam rock, and he is considered to be instrumental in sparking the entire punk movement.

As writer Andrew O’hehir explains, “Everything about him was deceptive and impossible to pin down, including the fact that this central figure of the 1960s avant-garde and godfather of the punk movement, this force of disorder, negation and subversion, was in many ways the product of an earlier era.” Reed influenced countless artists and musical movements, both as a member of the iconic band The Velvet Underground, and as a solo artist. His style and attitude continue to inspire innumerable emerging and established musicians.

One of Reed’s contemporaries, artist Patti Smith said, “Lou was a very special poet – a New York writer in the way that Walt Whitman was a New York poet…So many of us have benefited from the work he has done. We all owe him a debt. Most of us that owe a debt are not very happy to own up to it. Sometimes you like to imagine that you did everything on your own. But I think with Lou that everyone will stand in line to say thank you, in their own way,” of the way that he influenced her and other artists over time.

Acclaimed director and writer Mary Harron says of his death, “I’m devastated. I always thought he would live forever. Without Lou Reed and the Velvets, would there have been a CBGB’s, a New York punk, any kind of New York underground rock or art scene? Maybe but it would have had a completely different DNA…”

During his career, Lou Reed managed to make an incredible mark on the culture of music like few others have managed to do. His death will continue to be mourned all around the world. 

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Independent Versus Major Record Labels

"I like to think that what we get from being on a record label is, number one, smart people. Everyone who works there is really cool and professional, and not druggy party people like so many people in the industry.” 

–Brian Oblivion of Cults  

What Oblivion was discussing is an issue that almost everyone in the music industry has an opinion about: major versus indie record labels. In a somewhat controversial move, indie rock band Cults signed on with major corporate label Columbia when the group’s star began to rise. At this point, Oblivion had seen both sides of the industry; knowing that corporate labels don’t always give their smaller bands the most attention, signing with Columbia still seemed to be a more professional move for the musician.

Here are some of the basic differences between independent and major record labels, broken down in pros and cons:

Some independent record label pros include:

Artists get the rights to their music.

Close relationships are forged between producers, musicians, and label representatives.

Bands feel really advocated for by the label that signed them.

Some cons to signing with an indie label include:

There can often be a sense of disorganization.

A smaller label means fewer opportunities for the artist.

Smaller labels often have limited funds in which to support their bands.

Some major label pros:

Unlike indie labels, major labels often have an excessive amount of funds.

Size and reputation can take emerging bands really far in a discerning industry.

The connections bands can make within a major label are invaluable to their career.

Major record label cons include:

Bands must fight for attention, and a hierarchy is easily established.

Just because the label has funds, that doesn’t mean they’ll use them for lesser-known bands.

Major labels are corporate; they are a business. This can mean less of a personalized approach to producing music.

What do you think some of the major pros and cons are of indie and corporate record labels?

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Obscure American Musical Landmarks

The American music industry brings together artists from all over the country, so why do so many people only think of New York, L.A. and Nashville as the major music hubs? There are so many places where some of the best musicians in the business got their start. Here are a few of the most obscure music landmarks:

Every band had to get their start somewhere, right?

Dub’s Lounge, Gainesville, FL

Established in 1964, this hole-in-the-wall bar was no larger than a small house, but became notorious for its topless dancers and famous for performances by a young Tom Petty. When Petty played there, which he sometimes would as many as six nights a week, he played with then band, Mudcrutch. The Eagles were also known to frequent Dub’s Lounge.

10^th Ave and E Street sign Belmar, NJ

This location is the namesake for Bruce Springsteen’s iconic band. The E Street Band’s first rehearsal was in 1972, and they practiced in the garage of the home of keyboardist David Sancious’ mother. Although Springsteen became a household name throughout the band’s history, Sancious also went on to do great work with artists Sting and Peter Gabriel.

The Stooges’ First House, Ann Arbor, MI

The Stooges, which Rolling Stone calls “the most raucous of all rock bands,” got their start in the small Detroit suburb of Ann Arbor. Some say that the group came up with its name while watching “The Three Stooges” at a two-story house they rented. This house is the same place where the band developed its unique, energetic, proto-punk sound that made them famous after the debut of their first record. This landmark is a good example of the obscure locations some bands originated from; many still most associate The Stooges with Detroit instead of Ann Arbor.

Other obscure music landmarks include Chess Records in Chicago, Aerosmith’s first house in Boston, and the Canyon Country Store in Los Angeles where Joni Mitchell, Mama Cass, and Jim Morrison frequented. 

Are These Musicians Really the “New Immortals?”

Rolling Stone Magazine recently published its picks for “The New Music Immortals.” Basically, these musicians are the ones who have most impacted the music industry in recent years, deeming them “immortal,” according to Rolling Stone. The magazine has published similar lists in the past, highlighting the greatest artists of the last 50-100 years, but as music trends continue to change, newer faces are becoming more recognized.

“When we look around us today we see a whole galaxy of other stars who belong in the Immortals conversation,” explains Rolling Stone. To folks who favor the technical music talent and sound of legends past, this list of the new music immortals might be a point of great contention. Here are some highlights:

“If Taylor Swift stopped producing hits right now, at 23, she could tour a killer oldies show for the rest of her life,” says the magazine of the young star. Other pop stars that made the cut include Beyonce, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga, all who are known for their foray into multiple music genres and elaborate live performances. 

Kanye West, LCD Soundsystem, and the Roots all made the list or new music immortals. These three acts make up a diverse amount of indisputable talent, but some wonder if West’s music will withstand the test of time. Similarly, LCD Soundsystem accomplished a lot during their heyday, but has already disbanded, making them an unusual choice.

Rounding out the list with a little bit of rock and roll, punk, and grunge is Jack White, Pearl Jam, The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Wilco, and Green day. Jam band Phish also made the list, which comes as no surprise, what with the enduring music festival culture.

While some of these bands have long been regarded by fans as immortal, other newer acts might raise an eyebrow. Are people still going to be listening to pop songs from Taylor Swift or Rhianna in five, ten, or even fifty years? As music continues to change, we’ll have to decide which bands really will stand the test of time. What do you think of Rolling Stone’s picks for the “new music immortals?” 

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‘Gender Amplified’ Amplifies Women in Music Production

It’s no secret that the music industry has a gender problem – a notable imbalance in the way that men and women exist within that facet of popular entertainment. Women are often thrust into the spotlight and objectified by male creative directors and producers who dominate the industry. And this is when women make it into the spotlight at all. Many don’t get that far because of their refusal to succumb to industry pressures that include playing up their sexuality in order to sell records.

Men don’t have to submit themselves to sexual objectification to sell records, and they certainly don’t have to work as hard to prove themselves behind the scenes. Males greatly outnumber females in music production, an even harder part of the industry to break into, and one that many women don’t even know exists due to lack of female visibility. Ebonie Smith realized this during her undergraduate college days when she fell in love with making and mixing beats. After immersing herself fully into the world of music, she couldn’t help but wonder, Where are all of the female music producers?

Smith created Gender Amplified in 2007 as a platform to support and help advance women in music production. After recognizing a serious gender gap within the industry, she wanted to start a movement that not only showcased incredible, underrepresented female producers, but to show aspiring producers that they could make a mark of their own. “By organizing public events that foster healthy dialogue about the role gender plays in the music making process, Gender Amplified gives voice to a subculture of women who are using music technology to create their own music and perpetuate their unique identities,” according to the organization’s mission statement. Gender Amplified has become a space of refuge and empowerment for women in the music industry, a movement to inspire the next generation of female producers.

During the last weekend of September, the Gender Amplified Music Festival took place at Smith’s alma mater, Barnard College. The event was a celebration of female music producers, and a chance to educate those who are interested in the field, or didn’t even know that it existed. Uniting, teaching, and empowering women will hopefully help bridge the gender gap in music production.

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Light In the Attic Records Hits the Road

In a time when music is most commonly transmitted through headphones or computer speakers, it can be easy to forget that vinyl records still have a place in many a music lover’s heart. Sure, you can easily purchase or download new tracks without even having to leave the house, but there is something so special about having a tangible collection of records to play.

The feeling you get when leafing through hundreds of vinyls at a record shop is one of nostalgia and excitement; when you purchase a record from a store, there is a delightful feeling of newness to be found in something old. This feeling is one of the reasons that Light In The Attic Records continues to produce albums on vinyl in the digital age, something they’ve been doing since they first opened shop in 2002. Light In The Attic is an independent record label that is known for reissuing classic musicians on vinyl as well as representing contemporary bands.

To pay homage to a culture of record-collectors and musicians, Light In The Attic takes takes an annual road trip, making stops at independent music labels and record shops across the country. Light In The Attic founders Matt Sullivan and Josh Wright explain,

“Sixty years ago, crafty salesmen hocked fresh pressed vinyl 45s from the trunks of their dinged Buicks, building hit records one hard-won sale at a time. Today, there is little left of the intensely personal and colorful record business of yesterday, however it still does indeed exist…This October, we will hit the road for our annual pilgrimage: The Light In The Attic Road Trip. Embarking from the Northeastern U.S., we will set out on a journey across America to sling records and meet the people, while each day documenting the trip live — as it unfolds,” of their annual trip.

This year, Light In The Attic will visit 80 record stores and labels along the east coast in just 14 days, documenting the adventure with Pitchfork TV. Their mission is to bring visibility to the spirit and vision of independent record shops, proving that vinyl still has a firm place in the music industry.

For more information about Light In The Attic Road Trip, visit the label's official website.  

Image 1: Light In The Attic Records
Image 2: Kendra K via Flickr CC