This weekend I went out to spend the weekend at the Jersey shore. Nice weekend, relaxing and a fun new travel destination. While waiting for the train to take us back to NY, we stopped into a small coffee shop and I spotted a copy of the newest issue of The Rag, a local arts publication for artists & music types, you might already know which issue i mean. The one with local tattoo artists from A New Empyre on the cover. Inside, I found a treatise on the state of artistic expression in the Bradley Beach/Asbury Park/Neptune City/Belmar area that is simply impossible to ignore. Delivered by by local singer/songwriter Scott Thomas Webster, I felt implored to share his message with any and all willing to listen. So, this column is reprinted without permission, but you can see a copy of the actual article at his myspace page.
Rebelling Against Tyranny Is Obedience To The Soul by Scott Thomas Webster
Hello everybody, I'm Scott Thomas Webster and I'm here this time to create an uproar. That's right - I'm throwing off the gloves and getting controversial. I'm an unconventional singer/songwriter that has a lot of passion and it burns like gasoline. I'm tired of feeling silenced and possibly not taken serious because I'm the "young guy." So I'm calling you out!
Haven't you musicians realized the DJ's are cunningly taking away the artistic soul and art of creation? Trust me. Businesses and DJ's are getting away with MURDER on this! Honestly, from a business point of view, if I ran a club or restaurant, I would hire a DJ as well. Let's see...it's cheaper to hire some monkey behind a spin board than pay an entire live act. The monkey would end up playing all those songs that are already hits, which in turn would make all the customers happy so they'll keep buying drinks. There would be lack of complaints because the monkey can spin any disc in order to reach all different kinds of people. MURDER! It's very clever, though. I tall you what...it's a little secret...I'm not a businessman in some cheapass suit. I'm an artist.
So what can we do? What I have been noticing is that people, even our middle age generation, are tired of hearing the same crap. Hell, how much of the Hawk can we listen to? I'm tired of the same old song and dance. Aren't you? HA! Anyway, Donnie G (publisher of this magazine) offers plenty of venues in this newspaper that support the arts and creativity of uprising musician s such as myself - take a look. Like I said, I'm just stirring it up right now. My first punch goes to you DJ's!
Here comes a left hook. Ever since that soap bopper, reality TV series, sludge factory American Idol started; karaoke is now taking the spotlight. From a business point of view, that's not a bad idea. Hmmm, like I said before...it's cheaper to hire a karaoke crew than to pay live acts. The best part of this is the customers can participate, which is a beautiful thing at times because there are some fabulous singers that want to get their chance and can't make it to those corporate whores of American Idol. I do support karaoke to an extent. I can't help but to get discouraged at moments, because some drunken buffoon that can't sing thinks he/she could be the next Taylor Hicks. That's when I sit down and think...my hats off to you, because I see more of that than the real deal singers. On a serious note, I wish the best for all of you singers putting yourself out there and shooting for your dream. Write some poetry and get a band. Take charge if you have the talent. YOU DESERVE TO GET PAID! Not some karaoke junkie. WHAAMMM! I hope that didn't "hurt" too much!
Now, I'm a rebellious fighter and us musicians want success in what we strive for, correct? Good, glad we're on the same page. So this is what we do. LET'S THINK POSITIVE! We need to start a fire before we can keep warm. So get all your material together and try to keep it within 3 minutes. The average person's attention span is probably around 30 seconds. People easily get sidetracked when they are presented with something they have never heard before or simply isn't catchy. I am guilty of this. Next, MySpace offers free unlimited access to whatever we want! Create a music page - I can't stress that enough! That guy Tom is presenting us with a gift. Let's run with it! In today's world, it's death to the record. Technology is surpassing the music business. Don't sign a contract right now; you'll get chewed up and spit out faster than a stale piece of gum. You want to make it big? Build a fanbase and don't be biased to other artists. You must create a crowd that won't be silenced. Be prepared to feel delusional before professional. This doesn't happen overnight, and I'm still learning as well. I'm the "young guy..." What do I know? I've taken many punches, but I'm still going, even when I starved and slept in piss. I hope you're feeling fancy!
I have so much more to say so if you have comments, suggestions, or want to throw a punch at me...reach me at www.myspace.com/ScottTwebster or at ScottTwebster@yahoo.com.
