We got this comment from someone in the local music scene, Matt Timberlake, and because we liked it so much, we’re posting it here too:
Just read your blog about Live From Memphis.
You touched on what I’ve always found so damned dissappointing about the consumers of music in Memphis; they don’t want our richly talented hidden gems, they want something amazing that amazes the world. It seems like a self-esteem thing, like we as a city are pissed off and sad that we aren’t London, or New York or the Seattle of ten years ago.
But it’s just us, here, with this attitude.
Read It And Weep
Open any Mojo Magazine (UK’s Rolling Stone) and it’s packed with Memphis. One tiny example: a recent issue, discussing Jack White of the ‘Stripes, tossed Jeff Evans’ name into the article as a buddy and adviser. This is the same Jeff who fronts our great ’68 Comeback and bought books from me at a yard sale. You’ve seen him around. Jack O’s recent fire-hot disc was reviewed in the same issue. It had at least two stars on the new one from Paul McCartney.
My buddy Chip Galloway, who owns and runs In Tha Vault Entertainment, produces DVD’s documenting the local hip-hop scene, on stage and in the hazy rooms behind it. Groups and rappers none of us have ever heard of, but who you’ve waited in line for one of those strange blue margaritas with at Music Fest. These films, Memphis Underground: Raw and Uncut, are distributed at, among other retailers, Best Buy. They fly off the shelves in the Mid-West.
Go figure.
Promising Signs
A drift in the right direction can be seen in local radio, one element of our city’s music community that actually impresses me.
WEVL has always been a wonderful way for people to hear their freinds and neighbors on the radio, but their audience is a knowledgeable group finding what they are seeking. Recently though, Rock 103 and 93x have hugely expanded their local programming, not just with segments of air time devoted to Memphis Music, like 93x’s Locals Only, but actually integrating our music into their daily playlists. Big thanks to Dennis, Ric and Luca at Rock 103 and Syd and Crate at 93x.
This is major. Damn right a Rind Stars’ song deserves as much attention as Nickelback. Damn right Chess Club can hold their own with the Cars. Damn right Vending Machine is as ecstatically weird as Ween.
It’s Not Local Music
We just have to begin to take our music (and all art) seriously.
We don’t make local music, we make music. And it’s great.
Or maybe we just take comfort in this: Thomas Kinkade is a rich, rich man, while one-eared Vincent Van Gogh never moved out of his brother’s basement until he shot himself in the stomach and died poor.
But it sure would be nice to see you all at the show, having a good time. I’m sure you would, if you came.
