It’s time for Hemingway to put the mouthpiece up for a while and go back to writing and performing his music full-time again. I thank everyone for reading these posts. I tried to be as punctual and writer adequate as possible in writing this stuff, as I am not a blog writer by trade. If you have any questions for Hemingway in the future, just email me at the email contact on this blog and I’ll respond to you personally.
I know how bitter these posts come off to some of you. Please understand… I would not have shared my shit with you if I didn’t think it might help the present condition of things that are happening to all of us. I know a lot of self –help books out there teach to not be angry or feel bitter and stay away from negative energy and bitter people. However, we already know that all of these things are necessary feelings and experiences to help promote a healthy and balanced life. It’s ok to express to others if you feel bad or bitter or whatever. Just make sure you’re balancing that shit out..
To everyone that received these blogs (that’s a lot of yall) I’ve either worked with or have inquired to do work with you . You all play important roles in the industry. I have faith in you guys. And from the Emails I have received, I’ve learned that even the people I had thought were for sure assholes, are actually quite concerned, caring and really genuine people. I just have one more, quick request for you guys, PLEASE get back into artist development again. I know it’s almost impossible to do the way things are set up now, but there are a some of us out there who could really give a lot more, if we were to be helped.
Thanks for listening,
Hemingway Jenkins
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Race Card?!
There is no question that racial segregation still exists …There is also no question that many people assume that the majority of people who talk about race issues are a part of some minority. And in many cases that’s true. But isn’t that a shame? The Music Industry is one of the most racially segregated institutions in the world today. Rock, Indie Pop, Classical, Jazz, Rap, you name it. Have you ever heard of the "Urban Music Department " at a Major Record Label be referred to as being the, "Black Music Department" ? I have many times. Isn’t that segregation? I’ve been apart of some great artist’s careers and seen them fall because their new project wasn’t "Urban" enough. Now that this 80’s fad has made itself prominent in the Urban scene, I’m watching these same artists try and fit themselves into new categories like "Black Rock" and "Afro-Punk" …WTF? I hear these titles being used mostly by black people… It’s like blacks are accommodating this sickness.
Historically speaking, black people have been in slavery in America, way longer than being out of slavery. So it’s not racist to suggest that traces of slave mentality still exist in the culture and dare I say, seemingly in the music and it’s "Urban" industry. And whites living under that institution for so long, some even being slave owners; One would have to also suggest a certain mentality there as well, that also presently has it’s traces in it’s culture and seemingly in the Industry. The African-American’s contributions to the arts, especially music in the twentieth century have heavily influenced the whole world up to date. It’s only logical to learn to comfortably study the many different African American views and perspectives of the present . The past is already studied comfortably almost like it’s satire, but not always studied closely. That’s why these mentalities are prominent in the world today . There has been a new statistic that suggests that slavery in it’s entire definition is occurring now, more than it ever has in the history of mankind (based off of a special about present day Haitian slaves). At first I always wondered why black people were so quick to categorise themselves. Then I saw black artists trying to go into territories that happen to be dominated by whites. WOW!!
What’s scary is that most white people do not think themselves to be racist. I started to understand why these titles like "Black Rock" and "Afro- Punk" exist. I know many Indie Pop and Indie Rock artists who’s music, is not really in the spirit of those titles but they’re still considered such. The same for blacks in their categories. But blacks seem to be harder on each other about that. I remember I saw something really Bazaar occur at a lower east side bar in manhattan. The booking person there put together a bunch of bands, black and white. She clearly divided up the night, racially. Each band had 30min. to do their thing . She put one multi-genre/indie act with two Neo Soul acts simply because the artist was black. After the performance, I wondered where the black members of the multi genre band and the Neo Soul bands and their audiences, had went to. They had all went outside. I don’t even think they were aware as to why. In a span of 5minutes that whole venue was white and crowded. An all white garage band was about to perform. This is going to sound funny, but white people really intimidate black people… Especially a gang of white people. All they have to do is look at a black person with that innocent , puzzled "What are you doing here", "Am I in the White place?", look. All of those black people were outside so fast… talking and laughing like nothing happened. Unless it’s family, I personally feel that any kind of all white gathering in America by Americans is a racial statement in and of itself…that’s including labels and their "Departments".
Black people are in the Suburbs too. This might have been forgotten in some Frat college orgy…I don’t know. But there is definitely some serious racial profiling once you get to a college campus in America…and I feel it starts with the "Greeks". This effects people who may have had none of these experiences. There’s no reason why there should be titles like "Black Rock" and "Afro Punk". Next thing you know There’ll be "Black Indie-Pop". Different races grew up together in the same neighbourhoods and subdivisions checking out similar music as well as individual tastes. The music industry is not doing it’s job documenting this experience, The Black Kids and Light Speed are just not enough documentation. These stupid titles blacks and whites are giving non-urban music that people who happen to be black are making, is due to the non-participation of white owned Indie Labels not doing there jobs documenting the American Experience.
You can really see this problem in the music with rich, strong, groundbreaking twentieth century roots, "JAZZ".
Anytime you see an art or culture with a rich, strong, influential background and history, being corrupted, you better take a closer look at it, and the world. One tradition always has reigned true about the black jazz musician. You either really make it or you really don’t. Most gigs are given to white jazz musicians. Small’s (10th st. 7th ave. NY,NY) is infamous for this. Other clubs too for that matter. Nowadays, if you stick around long enough, right before you die, they’ll make you a brief legend as you then have made, "The Bucket List". Now, you can speed up this process by loosing your amazing chops early, or dying unexpectedly. There are some great young cutting edge jazz composers out there. But I’ve personally seen many of them passed up because of there colour. Jazz is a small percentage of the market, which makes it easily controllable by very wealthy people who fund it. So one coming with too much wisdom in that scene, can easily be blacklisted. I believe the Japanese and now the Chinese are gaining influence on the Jazz industry, and the Japanese are naturally big on tradition. The innovative aspect in Jazz is what makes it very special. It is a clear soundtrack of the American Experience and the World, in the 20th century into the 21st. It naturally promotes independent thinking. But now I’m taking this somewhere else, so to be continued…
Historically speaking, black people have been in slavery in America, way longer than being out of slavery. So it’s not racist to suggest that traces of slave mentality still exist in the culture and dare I say, seemingly in the music and it’s "Urban" industry. And whites living under that institution for so long, some even being slave owners; One would have to also suggest a certain mentality there as well, that also presently has it’s traces in it’s culture and seemingly in the Industry. The African-American’s contributions to the arts, especially music in the twentieth century have heavily influenced the whole world up to date. It’s only logical to learn to comfortably study the many different African American views and perspectives of the present . The past is already studied comfortably almost like it’s satire, but not always studied closely. That’s why these mentalities are prominent in the world today . There has been a new statistic that suggests that slavery in it’s entire definition is occurring now, more than it ever has in the history of mankind (based off of a special about present day Haitian slaves). At first I always wondered why black people were so quick to categorise themselves. Then I saw black artists trying to go into territories that happen to be dominated by whites. WOW!!
What’s scary is that most white people do not think themselves to be racist. I started to understand why these titles like "Black Rock" and "Afro- Punk" exist. I know many Indie Pop and Indie Rock artists who’s music, is not really in the spirit of those titles but they’re still considered such. The same for blacks in their categories. But blacks seem to be harder on each other about that. I remember I saw something really Bazaar occur at a lower east side bar in manhattan. The booking person there put together a bunch of bands, black and white. She clearly divided up the night, racially. Each band had 30min. to do their thing . She put one multi-genre/indie act with two Neo Soul acts simply because the artist was black. After the performance, I wondered where the black members of the multi genre band and the Neo Soul bands and their audiences, had went to. They had all went outside. I don’t even think they were aware as to why. In a span of 5minutes that whole venue was white and crowded. An all white garage band was about to perform. This is going to sound funny, but white people really intimidate black people… Especially a gang of white people. All they have to do is look at a black person with that innocent , puzzled "What are you doing here", "Am I in the White place?", look. All of those black people were outside so fast… talking and laughing like nothing happened. Unless it’s family, I personally feel that any kind of all white gathering in America by Americans is a racial statement in and of itself…that’s including labels and their "Departments".
Black people are in the Suburbs too. This might have been forgotten in some Frat college orgy…I don’t know. But there is definitely some serious racial profiling once you get to a college campus in America…and I feel it starts with the "Greeks". This effects people who may have had none of these experiences. There’s no reason why there should be titles like "Black Rock" and "Afro Punk". Next thing you know There’ll be "Black Indie-Pop". Different races grew up together in the same neighbourhoods and subdivisions checking out similar music as well as individual tastes. The music industry is not doing it’s job documenting this experience, The Black Kids and Light Speed are just not enough documentation. These stupid titles blacks and whites are giving non-urban music that people who happen to be black are making, is due to the non-participation of white owned Indie Labels not doing there jobs documenting the American Experience.
You can really see this problem in the music with rich, strong, groundbreaking twentieth century roots, "JAZZ".
Anytime you see an art or culture with a rich, strong, influential background and history, being corrupted, you better take a closer look at it, and the world. One tradition always has reigned true about the black jazz musician. You either really make it or you really don’t. Most gigs are given to white jazz musicians. Small’s (10th st. 7th ave. NY,NY) is infamous for this. Other clubs too for that matter. Nowadays, if you stick around long enough, right before you die, they’ll make you a brief legend as you then have made, "The Bucket List". Now, you can speed up this process by loosing your amazing chops early, or dying unexpectedly. There are some great young cutting edge jazz composers out there. But I’ve personally seen many of them passed up because of there colour. Jazz is a small percentage of the market, which makes it easily controllable by very wealthy people who fund it. So one coming with too much wisdom in that scene, can easily be blacklisted. I believe the Japanese and now the Chinese are gaining influence on the Jazz industry, and the Japanese are naturally big on tradition. The innovative aspect in Jazz is what makes it very special. It is a clear soundtrack of the American Experience and the World, in the 20th century into the 21st. It naturally promotes independent thinking. But now I’m taking this somewhere else, so to be continued…
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Scene Fantastic
The one thing New York still has, is that it is the mother of all "scenes". From Jazz to Classical to Rock as well as other arts. And if you look at the "scenes" closely they will tell you what's going on socially. It's no secret that all of the "scenes" in New York are dead and have been for a while. Some reporters will tell you different and have convinced themselves of this falsehood because they have a job to keep. Scenes still however, always try to emerge but are short lived due to lack of support from outsiders as well as insiders (artists not supporting each other). Also the resulting suburban scene (like Seattle, Austin etc) is turning or has turned. The economy effecting homes and suburbia could be a problem (post-grunge) if I wanna be nice. If I wanna be Hemingway, It was and is, just time. That Indie-Rock, Pop stuff has a blandness and visual emphasis on it that gives a very eerie undertone of assimilation. Don't question me, you get it, you're smart. Now you can say something dumb like, "What Art doesn't have assimilation in it?" But just admit to yourself that it pissed you off cause it has truth to it, and you'll feel much better.
Now, so I don't get accused of being fascist, by you easily intimidated types out there, I'll say these great words, "That's just my opinion, you're entitled to have yours too". However, I'm attracted to the artistic freedom it seems those Indie Rock and Pop "Bands", usually have. They have some devoted supporters. I don't know if they convince these supporters of this "mega scene" emerging or what. It seems these supporters are like old reject dorks in high school who's revenge it is to create a new high school/college scene; or a "has been ‘popular’ high schooler" who is desperately seeking a scene to control. It definitely takes one to know one, ‘Band Nerd’ and ‘Varsity Football Jock’, I didn't fit anywhere but was respected cause I was good at both (while my nose is way in the air). These scene-seekers are actually doing something that has a lot of good in it considering the present condition of numb youths. But the desperation presents the trip wire. Desperation without giving can cause some problems. That's my concern ... I don't know if these kind of people could get into these New York types due to the nature of how they search out scenes.
I can definitely say that I have contemporaries, but we have a hard time sticking together because everybody's going for self, due to the fact that none of us have a significant following and we tend to only play to other bands performing on our night, at shows. Now, one could say that this must mean our music isn't strong enough, but I doubt that because we all have credit with every peer or band that has encountered us. However, the New Yorker's nature is trendy and they don't want to be out of the loop. This makes for un-devoted listeners.
Quantity is clearly more valuable than quality to the New Yorker. Even in other arts. I went to MOMA one Friday (cause it's free on Fridays), I'm trying to take in this Pollock piece and this girl jumps right in front of me snapping shots of the piece, then snaps a shot of the annotation next to it. I couldn't believe how many others were doing it, almost everybody! They don't even take in the moment with the painting, just snap...snap...snap! My girlfriend later pointed out that, traditionally people can’t use flash photography in a museum, for fear of damaging the painting. One person was so exhausted from all the photo taking, they leaned on a Picasso to take a break and security didn’t make a big fuss about it, they just quietly told him to move. This is sooo Information Age behavior. They’ll email all these paintings to their friends as proof that they are living life to the fullest. We now tend to gather all of these experiences up for status, without experiencing anything.
I went to the Chelsea Gallery district to check out some cutting edge art. That shit was so redundant, I was laughing out loud and had to leave. The themes were so literal by these artists and "in my opinion" very lazy. What was interesting (more than the art itself) was the background stories of the art given by the gallery staff. I quickly realized that I wasn’t alone and felt sorry for any true artists trying to survive out there.
It scares me that we’re this lost. A people this lost, can and will be taken advantage of and swept up by an unexpected force. Don’t believe me? All I have to say is this: There are a lot of American musicians starting to do business in China.
Now, so I don't get accused of being fascist, by you easily intimidated types out there, I'll say these great words, "That's just my opinion, you're entitled to have yours too". However, I'm attracted to the artistic freedom it seems those Indie Rock and Pop "Bands", usually have. They have some devoted supporters. I don't know if they convince these supporters of this "mega scene" emerging or what. It seems these supporters are like old reject dorks in high school who's revenge it is to create a new high school/college scene; or a "has been ‘popular’ high schooler" who is desperately seeking a scene to control. It definitely takes one to know one, ‘Band Nerd’ and ‘Varsity Football Jock’, I didn't fit anywhere but was respected cause I was good at both (while my nose is way in the air). These scene-seekers are actually doing something that has a lot of good in it considering the present condition of numb youths. But the desperation presents the trip wire. Desperation without giving can cause some problems. That's my concern ... I don't know if these kind of people could get into these New York types due to the nature of how they search out scenes.
I can definitely say that I have contemporaries, but we have a hard time sticking together because everybody's going for self, due to the fact that none of us have a significant following and we tend to only play to other bands performing on our night, at shows. Now, one could say that this must mean our music isn't strong enough, but I doubt that because we all have credit with every peer or band that has encountered us. However, the New Yorker's nature is trendy and they don't want to be out of the loop. This makes for un-devoted listeners.
Quantity is clearly more valuable than quality to the New Yorker. Even in other arts. I went to MOMA one Friday (cause it's free on Fridays), I'm trying to take in this Pollock piece and this girl jumps right in front of me snapping shots of the piece, then snaps a shot of the annotation next to it. I couldn't believe how many others were doing it, almost everybody! They don't even take in the moment with the painting, just snap...snap...snap! My girlfriend later pointed out that, traditionally people can’t use flash photography in a museum, for fear of damaging the painting. One person was so exhausted from all the photo taking, they leaned on a Picasso to take a break and security didn’t make a big fuss about it, they just quietly told him to move. This is sooo Information Age behavior. They’ll email all these paintings to their friends as proof that they are living life to the fullest. We now tend to gather all of these experiences up for status, without experiencing anything.
I went to the Chelsea Gallery district to check out some cutting edge art. That shit was so redundant, I was laughing out loud and had to leave. The themes were so literal by these artists and "in my opinion" very lazy. What was interesting (more than the art itself) was the background stories of the art given by the gallery staff. I quickly realized that I wasn’t alone and felt sorry for any true artists trying to survive out there.
It scares me that we’re this lost. A people this lost, can and will be taken advantage of and swept up by an unexpected force. Don’t believe me? All I have to say is this: There are a lot of American musicians starting to do business in China.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
More Artists, Less Bands
It's time to Focus more on Artists and Less on Bands . It's very rare nowadays to find a new and fresh real "Band" . Usually It's a hype, a lie, but not a band. Due to abusing and overindulging in the spoils of technology, we are losing are honest natural human quality to share and interact with each other . We don't even give ourselves time to know ourself, for the fear of who we might be (or think we are) . Let alone share our true selves with another, publicly, not behind an anonymous comment on a blog lol (Hi!) etc. . I understand that you may be willing to do this if others were enlightened too, but since this is the way the real world is today, it's folly to step in the way of oncoming traffic...RIGHT? Well don't expect "Bands" to be any different. They are people, just like me and you , suffering from the same Information(TMI) Age trauma, that you and I are suffering from .
They'll get together and "jam", or they may already be Big in another BAND, but are now trying a newer hipper truer SIDE BAND project (probably because the other band is going under) . The truth is, you have more true interaction going on with your colleagues in your office space and/or work place than a band does amongst it's members let alone performing music ( it still doesn't give you the right to put your crappy music on theirstage.com:) . Usually nowadays, a band is made when a bunch of opportunists get together on a non-verbalized goal (so that it still has this spiritual like-mindedness, illusion to it) and play "the sound" (not a sound) they think will have us hooked like we're some crackheads because it's a proven formula . Now, some do not make it as obvious as others, they really experiment with reintroducing "the sound". Many do it subconsciously and we listen subconsciously (many times against our will) .
"The Artist" knows this , and when recording or writing(musically speaking), even uses "the sound(s)" occasionally as a joke to expose them of their bull. Atleast I do (when I can find a place to record) . But not to worry, the Artist is a natural attention seeker almost like an opportunist but the need to give, overides the need to take, in the artist . When that balance is no more , then the artist starts to self destruct as he or she now is loosing their sense of purpose . You will and have, spotted Artists but you will have to also be an artist to efficiently spot one . I believe you have to be honest with yourself , appreciative( but not a slave) of others , always look for yourself in others, seek understanding and wisdom, and be a giver and then you're an artist . You can see why artist struggle, and also with themselves right? To be consistent in these things is a life long struggle . But a beautiful one .
They'll get together and "jam", or they may already be Big in another BAND, but are now trying a newer hipper truer SIDE BAND project (probably because the other band is going under) . The truth is, you have more true interaction going on with your colleagues in your office space and/or work place than a band does amongst it's members let alone performing music ( it still doesn't give you the right to put your crappy music on theirstage.com:) . Usually nowadays, a band is made when a bunch of opportunists get together on a non-verbalized goal (so that it still has this spiritual like-mindedness, illusion to it) and play "the sound" (not a sound) they think will have us hooked like we're some crackheads because it's a proven formula . Now, some do not make it as obvious as others, they really experiment with reintroducing "the sound". Many do it subconsciously and we listen subconsciously (many times against our will) .
"The Artist" knows this , and when recording or writing(musically speaking), even uses "the sound(s)" occasionally as a joke to expose them of their bull. Atleast I do (when I can find a place to record) . But not to worry, the Artist is a natural attention seeker almost like an opportunist but the need to give, overides the need to take, in the artist . When that balance is no more , then the artist starts to self destruct as he or she now is loosing their sense of purpose . You will and have, spotted Artists but you will have to also be an artist to efficiently spot one . I believe you have to be honest with yourself , appreciative( but not a slave) of others , always look for yourself in others, seek understanding and wisdom, and be a giver and then you're an artist . You can see why artist struggle, and also with themselves right? To be consistent in these things is a life long struggle . But a beautiful one .
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Recruiting for the "Creative Corporate Machine"
This is a privileged time period for artists of all types . It's been a while since the arts have been sooo monitored . There are many creative minds out there . A number of things happen to these people nowadays as a result of these present conditions . Many become discouraged and , fall in line with what the" general public" , thinks they should be doing . And in doing so, they are rewarded high positions in the corporate agenda ( like, why geico commercials were constantly hip for a time meanwhile professional comedians on a whole , suck ) , the irony . This corporate creative person is interesting . They usually are very bitter about their position in society but have developed a remarkable resistance to exploring this self knowledge . But that's good for the corporate machine . Desensitizing one's self is key in the initiation process of the corporate machine . So if another creative mind comes prancing along free of corporate shackles , he or she quickly becomes targeted by the new and improved "Creative Corporate Machine" for the purification process . This is the most irritating entity in the world today . These people are prominant in the world I reside , Music .
I'm not talking about Labels and Indie Labels and A&R's ...That's too obvious . I'm talking about us . There are these new websites for musicians that have popped up everywhere ! Basically the way it works, if you pay money to these sites , they'll give you access to very important contacts in the Music Industry. Moreover , some will promote your music and blast it everywhere. We seem to think we can pay are way into being taken seriously...And for the most part we're right . But this type of mass performance art is getting redundant and monopolizing the arts on a whole , not just music . Then there are some sites (like theirstage.com) that aim to making people vote for who they feel is the best unsigned musician of their categeory , by featuring all of these unsigned artists on their site . The problem is alot of people feel they're great artists and they're not . Another problem is these people have alot of friends and may even be a great member in the church . Now that's alot of people voting for this sorry ass dude . They probably even know he sucks but it's the friendly thing to do . But there's another person in the same categeory and his or her stuff is pretty damn good but they're not as socially involved in the literal sense etc. you get it.
This competition "thing" is getting out of hand and watching people playing games convincing others of their bullshit being authentic and "serious" is getting old too . All those reality shows are messing shit up. Judges during the day and entertainment judges at night . It's getting drilled in us to judge every damn thing and on stupid levels for instance" live karaoke " singers and bands (that should be cover bands) to be judged as future artists . And the untouchables are the judges . Everybody desperately wants power in these seemingly ( but an illusion ) powerless days. I and you , are responsible for this . We are the "Creative Corporate Machine" . To be continued...
I'm not talking about Labels and Indie Labels and A&R's ...That's too obvious . I'm talking about us . There are these new websites for musicians that have popped up everywhere ! Basically the way it works, if you pay money to these sites , they'll give you access to very important contacts in the Music Industry. Moreover , some will promote your music and blast it everywhere. We seem to think we can pay are way into being taken seriously...And for the most part we're right . But this type of mass performance art is getting redundant and monopolizing the arts on a whole , not just music . Then there are some sites (like theirstage.com) that aim to making people vote for who they feel is the best unsigned musician of their categeory , by featuring all of these unsigned artists on their site . The problem is alot of people feel they're great artists and they're not . Another problem is these people have alot of friends and may even be a great member in the church . Now that's alot of people voting for this sorry ass dude . They probably even know he sucks but it's the friendly thing to do . But there's another person in the same categeory and his or her stuff is pretty damn good but they're not as socially involved in the literal sense etc. you get it.
This competition "thing" is getting out of hand and watching people playing games convincing others of their bullshit being authentic and "serious" is getting old too . All those reality shows are messing shit up. Judges during the day and entertainment judges at night . It's getting drilled in us to judge every damn thing and on stupid levels for instance" live karaoke " singers and bands (that should be cover bands) to be judged as future artists . And the untouchables are the judges . Everybody desperately wants power in these seemingly ( but an illusion ) powerless days. I and you , are responsible for this . We are the "Creative Corporate Machine" . To be continued...
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