WIL WHEATON dot NET: Where is my mind?: pablo at the park

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June 27, 2005

pablo at the park

I spent much of last week writing, editing, and rewriting my seven month overdue "Ask Wil Wheaton Anything Part Deux" answers for Slashdot. I don't want to steal /.'s thunder, but I just happened upon something that supports one of my answers, so I'm going to steal just a tiny little bit right now.

I was asked a question about doing creative things without getting crushed by "the system" in the process. Part of my answer is:

Here is the most important thing I can tell you: You do not need the so-called traditional channels of distribution to get your work to an audience, and you'll probably be happier and more successful by not going through those channels. I've done it both ways, and self-publishing and distributing was more fun, more creatively satisfying, and much more financially rewarding than the indescribably frustrating process of doing it the other way.

Because I'm so picky about music, I've always relied on word of mouth to find new stuff that doesn't suck. Ten years ago, I spent a lot of time wading through a bunch of crap on KXLU or Rodney on the Roq, hoping to discover a couple of good new bands, and occasionally I'd luck out with a great opening act at a concert, (like when I saw Redd Kross open for The Butthole Surfers way back in 1992, or CornMo open for They Might Be Giants last year). In this Brave New World of media consolidation, it should be harder than ever to find new stuf . . . but thanks to The Internets, the opposite is true. Earlier today, I came upon a band called AeonSpoke. GrapeJuicePlus describes them as "a bit of Radiohead, a bit of Blur, a lot of good stuff." I couldn't agree more. The band has made a couple of their tracks available as MP3 files on their website. Here are my two favorites:

Ten years ago, I never would have found out about this band, or been able to buy their music, unless a major label picked them up — and they're from right here in California! Thanks to The Internets, this band has been able to take the traditional means of distribution out of the equation, and bring their music directly to me, the audience. That is why this whole revolution is so goddamn cool.

Posted by wil at June 27, 2005 04:10 PM

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» The Web and Publishing from The White Wall
I have posted about this a couple time recently but it is something I've been spending a lot of time thinking about. Today Wil Wheaton had a post regarding how the internet is changing the way media is published and... [Read More]

Tracked on June 28, 2005 07:20 AM

Comments

Do you know you have a fan from Ireland...

If you didn't...well you do now. I talked to him.

Hmm..anyways, I read your book. It was funny. I liked the part about how one of your step kids burnt the pop corn. i did that..it was supposed to be 3 minutes and i put it on for 30.

go here xanga.com/ixheartxpain AND xanga.com/greensocks777

--Nikki and Shauna

Posted by: Nikki and Shauna

at June 27, 2005 04:13 PM

Wow, Aeon Spoke is really good. Thanks for turning me on to them, Wil.

Definitely a lot of Radiohead and Blur influences in there to hear, as well as a bunch of other really neat stuff.

Would love to see you make a list of music you recommend... Being so picky about what you listen to makes you a pretty good source.

Posted by: Diluted

at June 27, 2005 04:24 PM

I totally agree. Just a few weeks ago I stumbled across a band called Moxy Fruvous, and I think they're pretty cool, and definately funny. Since then I've looked in every music shop I could find to see if they had Moxy's CDs, but no one around here has even heard of them. Without the internet I'd never have heard of them either, which would be a terrible waste. There's so much great stuff out there which I never would have known about, like you.

Posted by: Zkid

at June 27, 2005 07:16 PM

Have you ever heard of the Kottonmouth Kings? They didn't want to be censored, so they do their own cd's and such too. I was introduced to them by a friend. They are all for the freedom of smoking pot, which I totally don't agree with and NO! Before I get slammed for that statment by the masses, I am not speaking out of turn here. I did my time in the heavens with the wacky weed and though it was only 4 months of my young life, it was the WORST four months of my young life. Got used for sex, alienated my family, nearly got my tush busted SEVERAL times...yeah. Been there. It made me feel like white trash and though I don't think I'm above them, I am not one of them and don't like feeling like I am. Didn't like it, don't support it. Got better things to do with my $20.
Anyway...
The Kottonmouth Kings actually have good music. They are three or four white dudes. They all rap and it isn't Eminim/Kidrock "I'm angry at the world" rap and it isn't gansta "I have to kill to keep food in my 5 kids, who all have different mama's, mouths" They have things to say and say them well. They can also sing. Hard to find a rapper that can rap AND sing. Anywho, their best song is Positive Vibes. Take a listen to it sometime. It's pretty awesome.

Posted by: VeronicaKnight

at June 27, 2005 08:44 PM

Well found, Unc.

We need to talk.

--AJ

Posted by: AJ

at June 27, 2005 09:02 PM

Thanks for the great music tip Wil. Downloaded the 2 files you upped. These guys are definitely worth another look.

And THIS is what a decentralized network can do for independant artists without resorting to prostituting themselves to corporates that couldn't give a rats a$$.

Posted by: Derek Brown

at June 27, 2005 10:24 PM

I couldn't agree more about the Do-It-Yourself creative process...when the band I'm in decided to do a CD we:

1. Did some gigs to raise money for studio time (and hone the songs).

2. Did a few days in the studio but got them to give us the raw audio back on about a zillion DVDs.

3. Used many and varied computers to perform any extra overdubs, mixing etc. (so the outlay is time) then paid for some mastering and reproduction (the only big "from our own pockets" outlay)

4. Sell through our web site (www.moeker.com if anyone's interested), cdbaby, etc. etc. and become incredibly rich and famous, etc, etc.

(We're transitioning from 3 to 4 at the mo)

Anyways, no record company, no one telling you what to do and the whole process is just *FUN*, dammit. :-) On the downside I think it takes an incredible amount of discipline to do things this way - you really have to have a need, the time and often a bit of cash up front to make it happen.

Posted by: looptron

at June 28, 2005 12:45 AM

Would love to see a list of your current favourites Wil, but don't like your view. Yeah, some bands do suck, but you can't write off the possibility that you might enjoy just one song of that sucky band.

Although I have personal favourites and am probably just as picky as you, I could probably cite at least one song from every major music genre you could throw at me that I genuinely love.

It also doesn't take away from the fact that you might not like someones music but may still respect them for their talent or songwriting. Just saying someone or something sucks is way too sweeping.

Posted by: Gabby

at June 28, 2005 05:07 AM

Although I have personal favourites and am probably just as picky as you, I could probably cite at least one song from every major music genre you could throw at me that I genuinely love.

It also doesn't take away from the fact that you might not like someones music but may still respect them for their talent or songwriting. Just saying someone or something sucks is way too sweeping.

Posted by: Gabby

at June 28, 2005 05:08 AM

You know, sometimes I hate my computer! Sorry for the double post!

Posted by: Gabby

at June 28, 2005 05:09 AM

I will check out the bands you mentioned. I love hearing about great music...I picked up an Ataris CD because you've talked about them, and I like it alot. You might want to check out areyoulistening.com; it's a new initiative to get independent music heard. WFS is a supporter (seriously).

Posted by: littlenicola

at June 28, 2005 05:38 AM

A GREAT site for finding new music is http://3hive.com - I can't count how many great bands/artists I have found by reading 3hive.

brian
http://shesaid-hesaid.com (Podcast)
http://podcaststickers.com

Posted by: pipa

at June 28, 2005 06:42 AM

Corn Mo was awesome. His story about following his dream to play accordian was pretty inspiring. I'd like to buy him a beer someday.

Posted by: Alan

at June 28, 2005 07:36 AM

I have enjoyed reading your blog for, I guess years now, and have finally gotten around to posting a comment.

Regarding excellent music available online and in the spirit of doing it yourself and also for the geek in all of us, I highly recommend you check out Jonathan Coulton's work at http://www.jonathancoulton.com

I hope you enjoy what you find there...

Posted by: liz_connor

at June 28, 2005 08:23 AM

Great music.

Posted by: jubalation

at June 28, 2005 09:54 AM

If you aren't already, make sure to keep an eye on the new arrivals at CDBaby.com (http://cdbaby.com/new). Lots of indie bands distribute online through the store, and pretty much all of them have sound samples. It'd be nice if CD Baby offered the new arrivals list in RSS format, but they don't.

Posted by: Anna

at June 28, 2005 10:20 AM

Wil,
Good music is good music.

Posted by: FABIAN

at June 28, 2005 09:38 PM

Hey Wil,

For some "interesting" new music, check out www.grilch.com.

Grilch is better known as ... Dave. He's a brilliant musician who spends years putting together a CD and then gives them away for free. You can d/l all his songs ala mp3. It doesn't suck.

Posted by: alibaba199

at June 29, 2005 06:50 AM

So you've seen TMBG in concert?

They fucking rule.

Posted by: beau99

at July 5, 2005 08:05 PM