Selling out: the Joys and Horrors of Alternative Music, As Opposed to Mainstream.

“Every song that’s played on the radio sucks.” “Every song by an amateur indy garage band sucks.” “Everyone sounds the same.” “All the independent bands sound the same, and all pop music on the radio sounds the same.” “That band were good, then they got popular and sold out.”

Everyone seems to think that the undiscovered band they uncovered on an obscure myspace is the second coming. Or that quirky little band that plays a youth centre every few months will be world famous some day, and they’re the one who’s supported them from early on; they’ll always be a real fan! And then when that band gets a bit bigger, they’ll despise all those “new fans.” Where were they at the beginning? And now my favourite band’s getting played on commercial radio? Those sell outs! They were only good when they played in their garage and let me come watch.

Alternative music and indy music are more popular than ever. With the internet, easy bootlegs and free media, finding music is easier than ever. Artists can get popular from myspace, CD’s don’t sell as much, word of mouth from gigs is more important than ever. But is alternative music better than mainstream music?

Generally with independent alternative artists, they’ll make their own music. They’re not selling a product or an image, they’re selling art; music. Unlike the Britney Spears’ or the Katy Perry’s, we have people writing their own songs, creating their own compositions, doing things themselves. Without money and studio restrictions, creativity blossoms, and with all the cheap yet advanced technology currently available, we have people recording themselves in their home studios, mixing and mastering, playing numerous instruments and putting out their own demo’s. They can experiment and try new things without wasting money on studio’s and producers. They can create something interesting and new and get known for that.

But the big point is that, just because something is “mainstream” or famous or big or shown on VH1 DOESN’T MEAN IT’S BAD. Sure, there’s a whole lot of crap on continuous rotation, but there’s a whole lot of terrible, derivative indy bands who rip off their favourite artists and regurgitate chord progressions with terrible vocals. But just because a band has become popular, doesn’t mean that they’ve “sold out” or are no longer any good. In fact, in their eyes, they’ve been accomplishing what they most likely set out to do.

There are artists, of course, who sit on both sides of the fence. John Frusicante (guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) releases solo records in between tours and albums with RHCP. He records them quickly, independently and releases them for those who are interested. He doesn’t really promote the music, make music videos, or go on tours, he just makes it and puts it out there. Some will like his work with RHCP better, others will think his solo work is more honest and outstanding, either way; it’s there for those who want it.

Imogen Heap is another who springs to mind. She writes and composes her own music, produces and mixes it herself at her home studio. She makes experimental electronic/pop music. Always pushing the envelope and creating new, creative sounds. Yet, she still sells her music out to popular TV shows (Heroes, The OC, Ghost Whisperer). Does that make her any less of an artist (some would say musical genius)?

It’s all mixed up. Sure, there are bands that clearly just do things for the money, and don’t care about what they’re putting out, as long as it keeps them in the public eye and keeps their letterbox filled with pay checks. But the two aren’t mutually exclusive. You can make good music, filled with artistic integrity, and still make money for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that. But there is something wrong with generalising thousands of artists as “bad” or “sell outs” just because they happen to be popular with a radio/TV audience.

The more obscure something is and the less people know about it doesn’t make it better. There’s good and bad on both sides. There always will be. To dismiss all mainstream music, or to dismiss all alternative music, would just mean you’re missing out. Find what you like, enjoy it, let it make you happy.