<p>Greetins music fans!</p><p>
There is a phenomenon attached to selling millions of records. People who have
never met you have strong opinions about you; they think you suck, you?ve
changed their life, your mother dresses you funny, or will you marry them. Why
is it when some members of the public open their wallet to buy art they don?t
just feel they own rights to enjoy a piece of work but rather they have the
secured rights to an opinion? This is of course as true in sports as
entertainment. <br />
<br />
People don?t even have to open their wallets to feel entitled to this public
opinion. If you or I record a song, make a video or consent to an interview
that is publicly aired we now become public domain and everyone is entitled to a
judgement. Many of you may know the quote widely regarded as being from the
mouth and pen of Sociologist, Philosopher, Psychologist, and Economist, Herbert
Spenser (1820 to 1903).</p><p><i><br />
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is
proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting
ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to
investigation."</i></p><p><i></i>
It?s not universally accepted that Herbert Spencer first coined the phrase
?contempt prior to investigation? but for the purposes of this rambling, who
cares. I would add that ?adoration prior to investigation? would offer the same
direct route to ignorance and futility as ?contempt.? What I find uncanny about
what I regard as a ?phenomena? is that people who would generally embrace the
above mentioned principal in the conduct of their personal life, toss it out the
window when the topic of O.J. Simpson, Jessica Simpson or Homer Simpson come
up.<br />
<br />
Part of this weeks radio show is devoted to IndieCan?s interview with Raine
Maida who is best known to many in the public as lead singer of Our Lady Peace
(seven records over about a decade and selling north of 4 Million copies). <br
/>
<br />
I did an informal survey of public opinion where Maida was concerned. Some knew
the brand ?Our Lady Peace? but never got drawn in enough to know Maida or any
band members who did a tour of duty with the franchise. Others had strong
opinions ? fond memories or harsh criticism. Some knew people who knew people
and some just knew what media threw at them. When it came time to judge the
solo work of The Hunters Lullaby, comparisons to Our Lady Peace, we unavoidable
to those I surveyed. We learned from Raine Maida when we spoke to him that he
approached this work in an intentionally divergent way. I hope this was for
artistic reasons because if it was to avoid public comparison to his previous
body of work, well, you can run but you can?t hide.<br />
<br />
We do talk about many external things that sharply contrast the ?old days;?
being an independent artist now as opposed to being beholden to a major label,
being a dad, the perspective gained as an artist, producer and activist in
2007. We talk about Raine?s passions and influences including slam poetry and
War Child Canada, what motivates him now to make a video and what it means to
him to have more artistic control over his work. <br />
<br />
So, I am just putting my commentary out there and as I do, the words of Raine
Maida tug at my sleeve ? ?I have yet to wrap my head around the distinction
between pretentious and earnest. I?m either hopelessly misunderstood or an
idiot.?<br />
<br />
After spending some quality time with us at Redline Recorders, Team Raine Maida
invited us to The Phoenix Concert Theatre that night to see his ?full band? show
with opening acts Billy The Kid and poet, Jared Paul. Our thoughts and images
on the show are found @ <a target="_blank"
href="http://www.indiecan.com/reviews.htm">http://www.indiecan.com/reviews.htm</a><br
/>
<br />
On the radio show besides our true-Joes from Etobicoke, we also feature great
tunage from (West to East) Elias, Mother Mother, Why, Patrick Krief Pascal
Picarde, Sproll and Chris Colepaugh.<br />
<br />
IndieCan catches up with Darryl Hurs (Indie Week Toronto 2008) and we chat about
a number of things including the different approaches to music marketing from
different music genres. Next week we?ll be hearing from 2007 Indie Week winners
Vesta Varro, live at IndieCan.<br />
<br />
Last week we asked you to chime in on your ideas about what the industry is
calling 360-marketing or what Nettwerk?s Terry McBride calls, ?Monetizing Free.?
? How to make money from music in a world where songs aren?t being paid for.
For those of you who commented back, thanks for your input. We?re all in this
together and I am proud and honoured to be part of this community.<br />
<br />
Thanks for supporting independent music.<br />
<br />
Warm regards,<br />
<br />
<br />Team IndieCan <br />
IndieCan Radio<br />
www.indiecan.com <br />
info@Indiecan.com<br />
the best music you?ve never heard!<br />
</p>