[FA Worldmusic] Ska Doc

[Ian Menzies]

Looks very cool Paul - The guys at Shout! Factory might be interested in
this....
Ian M

-----Original Message-----
From: fa-worldmusic-bounces+ian=menziesmixedmedia.com at folk.org
[mailto:fa-worldmusic-bounces+ian=menziesmixedmedia.com at folk.org]On
Behalf Of Paul Harding
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 1:23 PM
To: fa-worldmusic at folk.org
Subject: Re: [FA Worldmusic] a post from anonymous on entrypoints,
tokenism,and art


Speaking of the "Buena Vista Social Club of Mongolia," a
friend of mine is making a movie that will NOT be marketed
as the Buena Vista Social Club of Jamaica, but the
comparison is fairly apt.

It's the "Legends of Ska" - that culminates in a two night
concert in Toronto that he held a few years ago, featuring
a truly amazing line up, and I was lucky enough to attend.

At this point, he's still seeking funding to complete the
project, so if you or someone you know might be interested
in investing in a great document of old Jamaican artists,
please contact him.

You can view a trailer here:
http://www.legendsofska.com

-Paul



> I'm not so much concerned about the labeling as the belief
> that
> something actually can repeat the success of a Buena Vista
> or
> whatever. Buena Vista was a unique project, successful for
> reasons
> distinct to itself (including timing) and trying to
> duplicate that
> seems to me doomed to failure. You can't simply put
> together a bunch
> of artists from wherever, label them the "Buena Vista
> Social Club of
> Mongolia" or whatever and expect it to have the same level
> of
> success. Just ask all those folks who were marketed as
> "the next
> Dylan"... for every Bruce Springsteen there are hundreds
> of Elliot
> Murphys.
>
>
>
> On Aug 16, 2007, at 10:31 AM, Imbizo at aol.com wrote:
>
>> "The problem is when the mentality for promoting
>> projects takes a
>> "the next Buena Vista Social Club"
>> approach..."  er, I dont see where the problem is in
>> this - I'm in
>> the business of selling artists and their music - if
>> labeling
>> something 'the next X' works, i'll do it until it
>> doesn't work.
>> Some will outgrow that label and forge their own
>> identities, some
>> wont.  Market mechanics.   I find this refusal to engage
>> in and /
>> or disdain for established marketing techniques in
>> 'world music'
>> perplexing - its as if 'we' are too good for this kind
>> of thinking.
>>
>> There are plenty of formulas going around...a record
>> company
>> marketing plan, World Circuit trademarking the BVSC
>> name, Six
>> Degrees' packaging, Concord and Starbucks, Starbucks
>> racking,
>> virtually every press and promo campaign I engage
>> requires NPR
>> attention for some if not all of its success, and
>> certainly touring
>> is the sine qua non of success.  More than ever, in
>> fact.  The
>> touring circuit, is after all, a formula too.
>>
>> We need more formulas, not less.
>>
>> Mel Puljic
>>
>> The successes, however they happen, are good news.
>> Period. Whether
>> from PBS, whether from Paul Simon's large spotlight,
>> whatever. And in
>> theory, there is enough carry-over from any such thing
>> to sustain and
>> build some more interest. The problem is when the
>> mentality for
>> promoting projects takes a "the next Buena Vista Social
>> Club"
>> approach, since for the most part those kind of large
>> successes are
>> not repeatable, but are the result of many factors
>> converging,
>> including sometimes just simple right-thing/right-time
>> fortune -- a
>> harmonic convergence or perfect wave kind of phenomenon.
>>
>> In other words, there is no formula that can be
>> recreated. Each
>> project demands its own approach, or so it seems to this
>> armchair
>> quarterback.
>>
>> -----------------------------------
>> Check out my column:
>> http://www.spinner.com/category/around-the-world/
>> -----------------------------------
>>
>> On Aug 16, 2007, at 9:01 AM, Todd Walker wrote:
>>
>> > pardon.
>> >
>> > you know how clearly I present myself....right?
>> >
>> > that's what I am asking.  I think there are different
>> formulas for
>> > everyone,
>> > would love to know how it has worked for others.  It
>> always starts
>> > with the
>> > solid team - agent, manager, publicist, label all
>> working together
>> > cohesively.
>> >
>> > RyG was all about radio to start then TV then
>> festivals, small
>> > clubs to
>> > large and so on.  What was REALLY unique about their
>> whole rise to
>> > fame was
>> > this placement they got on you tube.  One of their
>> songs sat on
>> > their home
>> > page for about 2 days and they got hundreds of
>> thousands of
>> hits.  The
>> > surprising thing for this band was why did radio pick
>> up on it so
>> > hard?
>> >
>> > What was the story on Gotan?  Vieux seems to be
>> rocking right now.
>> > Where
>> > did Baobab go?  Bembeya Jazz?
>> >
>> > Lots of great music to chose from for all you
>> presenters, the better
>> > question is how to keep the career moving forward.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Todd Walker
>> > International Music Network
>> > 278 Main Street - Gloucester, MA 01930
>> > 978.283.2883 // 978.283.2330 fax
>> > www.imnworld.com <http://www.imnworld.com>
>> >
>> > Check out www.imnworld.com <http://www.imnworld.com/>
>> for info on
>> > all our
>> > artists, tour updates, news, tech riders, image
>> downloads and more.
>> >
>> > ********************************************
>> >
>> > This message and any attachments are intended only for
>> the use of
>> the
>> > addressee and may contain information that is
>> privileged and
>> > confidential.
>> > If the reader of the message is not the intended
>> recipient or an
>> > authorized
>> > representative of the intended recipient, you are
>> hereby notified
>> > that any
>> > dissemination of this communication is strictly
>> prohibited. If you
>> > have
>> > received this communication in error, notify the
>> sender
>> immediately by
>> > return email and delete the message and any
>> attachments from your
>> > system.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: fa-worldmusic-bounces+todd=imnworld.com at folk.org
>> > [mailto:fa-worldmusic-bounces+todd=imnworld.com at folk.org]On
>> Behalf Of
>> > Dmitri Vietze
>> > Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:28 AM
>> > To: fa-worldmusic at folk.org
>> > Subject: Re: [FA Worldmusic] a post from anonymous on
>> entrypoints,
>> > tokenism,and art
>> >
>> >
>> > Uhhh, Todd... you forgot to tell us the formula? So
>> BVSC is due to
>> > PBS, and
>> > Ceu and Angelique thanks to Starbucks. What about R&G?
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Todd Walker" <todd at imnworld.com>
>> > To: "Dmitri Vietze" <music at rockpaperscissors.biz>;
>> <fa-
>> > worldmusic at folk.org>
>> > Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 9:00 AM
>> > Subject: RE: [FA Worldmusic] a post from anonymous on
>> entrypoints,
>> > tokenism,and art
>> >
>> >
>> >>
>> >> Ah yes - just the sort of this we shoudl be getting
>> into.
>> >>
>> >> First off, I like the term "world music" and much as
>> I like the
>> terms
>> >> "Rock", "folk" "electronic" "metal" and the rest of
>> it.  I will
>> >> refrain
>> >> from
>> >> citing the infinite specific examples, but really who
>> cares?
>> >>
>> >> Also, do remember how uneducated we are as Americans
>> - "world
>> music"
>> >> offers
>> >> a bit of clarity for most.
>> >>
>> >> I want to start hearing some thoughts like homeboy
>> (or girl) below.
>> >>
>> >> How do we cross WORLD MUSIC into the main stream?  I
>> have had a few
>> >> successes but really isolated and many can't seem to
>> put a finger
>> >> on it.
>> >> Rodrigo y Gabriela is the best example, whom many of
>> you may
>> know the
>> >> recently ran for the CAA border to become movie
>> stars.
>> >> Regardless, you
>> >> have
>> >> a Mexican guitar duo who basically folded directly
>> into a
>> >> mainstream plan.
>> >>
>> >> Why?
>> >>
>> >> Why did AAA radio get so crazy on it, why did comm.
>> radio go nuts,
>> >> TV came
>> >> along and all of a sudden you have a MEXICAN guitar
>> duo who will
>> >> probably
>> >> sell over 250K records on their first release.
>> INSANE!  I
>> personally
>> >> think
>> >> they are an incredible show, but more importantly
>> this experience
>> >> reinforced
>> >> my faith that music from across the world can cross
>> over into the
>> >> mainstream
>> >> and contend with commercial rock bands.
>> >>
>> >> CeU and Angelique are crushing it right now thanks to
>> Starbucks.
>> >>
>> >> Buena Vista thanks to PBS.
>> >>
>> >> There are many more examples, but this is an
>> essential focus for
>> >> us.  Of
>> >> course I want all you ethnomusicology nerds (myself
>> included
>> without
>> >> degree)
>> >> to know about these artists, but above and beyond I
>> want to
>> bring my
>> >> artists
>> >> from the corners of the earth into the living rooms
>> of people
>> >> outside of
>> >> the
>> >> major markets.  Not only is there brilliant music
>> being made, but
>> >> culturally
>> >> this education is imperative.
>> >>
>> >> What are your successes?
>> >>
>> >> The ideas that flow, the closer we get to a system
>> when tours/
>> records
>> >> don't
>> >> happen once.  We can start building a foundation and
>> structure to
>> >> make
>> >> some
>> >> noise in this country.
>> >>
>> >> violins (fade in)...cello....and now the woodwinds
>> >>
>> >> with respect.
>> >>
>> >> Todd Walker
>> >> International Music Network
>> >> 278 Main Street - Gloucester, MA 01930
>> >> 978.283.2883 // 978.283.2330 fax
>> >> www.imnworld.com <http://www.imnworld.com>
>> >>
>> >> Check out www.imnworld.com <http://www.imnworld.com/>
>>  for info on
>> >> all our
>> >> artists, tour updates, news, tech riders, image
>> downloads and more.
>> >>
>> >> ********************************************
>> >>
>> >> This message and any attachments are intended only
>> for the use
>> of the
>> >> addressee and may contain information that is
>> privileged and
>> >> confidential.
>> >> If the reader of the message is not the intended
>> recipient or an
>> >> authorized
>> >> representative of the intended recipient, you are
>> hereby notified
>> >> that any
>> >> dissemination of this communication is strictly
>> prohibited. If you
>> >> have
>> >> received this communication in error, notify the
>> sender
>> >> immediately by
>> >> return email and delete the message and any
>> attachments from your
>> >> system.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From:
>> fa-worldmusic-bounces+todd=imnworld.com at folk.org
>> >> [mailto:fa-worldmusic-bounces+todd=imnworld.com at folk.org]On
>> Behalf Of
>> >> Dmitri Vietze
>> >> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 10:01 PM
>> >> To: fa-worldmusic at folk.org
>> >> Subject: [FA Worldmusic] a post from anonymous on
>> entrypoints,
>> >> tokenism,and art
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >>
>> >> So much to say and so little timeb&
>> >>
>> >> Dmitri has encouraged me to post my comments to this
>> list.  My
>> >> response to
>> >> him
>> >> was that the usual suspects intimidate me.  My own
>> paranoia, but
>> >> simply
>> >> put,
>> >> my label would be layperson by comparison to you all
>> who seem much
>> >> more
>> >> knowledgeable in this arena. So, Ibm comfy
>> w/remaining under the
>> >> radar.
>> >> Ibm guessing though, if you donbt stand up, you
>> donbt stand a
>> >> chance.
>> >> b Genesis
>> >>
>> >> Many years ago, while having a discussion with a
>> colleague about
>> >> the title
>> >> of
>> >> an under attended art exhibition, she pointed out
>> that the chosen
>> >> name was
>> >> an
>> >> obvious title for those intimate with the history of
>> art; however,
>> >> the
>> >> obscure
>> >> title for the general populous might not motivate
>> them to visit w/
>> >> out some
>> >> sort of hook, or rather, context.
>> >>
>> >> Butb&did you know the bicycle was invented then?
>> Wow, that gave
>> this
>> >> period
>> >> some everyday relevance.  And, perhaps this new
>> reference point
>> >> would even
>> >> arouse enough curiosity to inspire a visit.  A little
>> >> oversimplified, but
>> >> just
>> >> trying to make a point.
>> >>
>> >> While attending a programming meeting prior to the
>> opening of an
>> >> exhibition
>> >> of
>> >> the work of Barnett Newman, a now deceased artist
>> that formerly
>> >> created
>> >> larger
>> >> than life, more or less, mono-chromatic canvasses w/a
>> stripe or so
>> >> down
>> >> the
>> >> middle, or positioned on some other location on the
>> painting.  You
>> >> know,
>> >> one
>> >> of those artists that elicit reactions such as, bMy
>> Kindergartner
>> >> could
>> >> do
>> >> that!b orb& bI just donbt get it!b Curators and
>> educators were
>> >> debating about what type of tours and gallery talks
>> to present.
>> Some
>> >> historian suggested, bWouldnbt it be fun to just
>> send people
>> >> into the
>> >> exhibition and then gather together after seeing the
>> show for a
>> >> discussion?b
>> >> Maybe fun for them, even if modern art wasnbt their
>> area of
>> >> expertise,
>> >> because they had the knowledge base to bhave funb
>> w/reactions,
>> >> understanding the history of art in general.  When
>> one is
>> >> intimidated,
>> >> such
>> >> as
>> >> myself, Ibm embarrassed to explore my reactions b/c
>> what if
>> theybre
>> >> wrong.
>> >> Poor assumption on my part, Ibm aware, but as a
>> stereotype,
>> >> thatbs just
>> >> the nature of the beast, Ibm afraid.
>> Coincidentally, during that
>> >> show, I
>> >> took a musician into see it.  The curator happened to
>> be standing
>> >> in the
>> >> middle of one of the main display galleries, where
>> every work of
>> >> art was
>> >> enormous, brightly colored, and the gestalt was
>> magnificent and
>> >> powerful.
>> >> The
>> >> focus for me, as well as the musician, was on the
>> room, the
>> >> installation,
>> >> not
>> >> just the individual works of art. Following our
>> emotional
>> >> introduction,
>> >> the
>> >> curator joined us and waxed eloquently about all of
>> it.  It was an
>> >> eye
>> >> opening
>> >> and exciting experience for all that gravitated
>> towards her.
>> >>
>> >> So, labels, hmmmm.  When convenient, they are great.
>> When
>> >> problematic, we
>> >> tend to reject them and bwish they would go away.b
>> >>
>> >> I for one enjoy a love hate relationship with them.
>> When hired to
>> >> program,
>> >> I
>> >> didnbt have a clue as to what I was doing.  Oy, yet
>> another
>> >> uninformed
>> >> producer! But, I had strong feelings about other
>> conundrums, and
>> they
>> >> evolved,
>> >> just as I did, in this baptism by fire sort of
>> situation.  The
>> >> first issue
>> >> was
>> >> what do I do on a bBlack Historyb night.  That made
>> me cringe.
>> >> There
>> >> were
>> >> a series of problems with this label.  First, I hate
>> token,
>> thematic
>> >> evenings
>> >> such as that, or Womenbs History night in March, or,
>> you get the
>> >> picture.
>> >> They donbt bother me as much if throughout the
>> remainder of the
>> >> year, a
>> >> broad spectrum of events is presented without an air
>> of tokenism.
>> >> Also, I
>> >> was
>> >> told that during my predecessorsb bBlack History
>> Nightsb that
>> >> Caucasians
>> >> didnbt attend and neither did African Americans b/c
>> the overall
>> >> museum
>> >> attendance reported a 1% diversity statistic. That
>> made me angry
>> >> enough to
>> >> attempt to change that.  Long story short again,
>> Black History
>> >> night, my
>> >> first
>> >> one, drew the usual 1,000 visitors, rather than the
>> previous
>> >> scaled down
>> >> 300.
>> >> An African American friend and colleague offered,
>> bDonbt be
>> >> smug, let me
>> >> see you do it again, and not just once a year.b
>> >>
>> >> This led to questioning other types of programming.
>> The origins
>> >> of the
>> >> above
>> >> mentioned, weekly series were to take a thematic
>> approach. The
>> >> themes were
>> >> to
>> >> highlight the museumbs exhibitions and permanent
>> collection.  We
>> >> all know
>> >> there are an infinite number of themes in art;
>> therefore, the
>> >> programming
>> >> had
>> >> no boundaries.  Wouldnbt it be fun to opt for some
>> general theme,
>> >> Hearts
>> >> and
>> >> Flowers, if you will?  What ethnic group fits there?
>> Can Abba
>> >> satisfy
>> >> that
>> >> theme? Can the Carolina Chocolate Drops? You betcha.
>> But, that
>> >> doesnbt
>> >> mean
>> >> you canbt turn around and have an American Roots
>> night, or
>> celebrate
>> >> Malian
>> >> culture on another.
>> >>
>> >> I lost myself here with my own free associations, but
>> perhaps, in
>> >> conclusion,
>> >> labels arenbt so much the issue, but what, when and
>> how one uses
>> >> them.
>> >>
>> >> Enjoy the music and the art...
>> >> _______________________________________________
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