"money talks...but it don't sing and dance..."
So what comes around goes around etc...and it seems that time has come around again. I should say again again again. The time is that light bulb moment when I go, ah Oshawa...you'll never change. Then I say thats fine, why should you. You've got it all.
So what brings this on....again. I was in Rileys last night. I like Rileys...they do great downtown. The Junction out back on Bond is the place to be for my nieces and nephews and perhaps for your kids too. But I was in last night with some folks my age and even though we were at the furthest point away from the entertainment we still couldn't have a conversation. Loud covers of top 40 hits by Gibbran downstairs and Eric Lambier upstairs made it impossible to speak.
It didn't however bother anyone else, the younger crowd. The upstairs martini bar with Eric was packed. Downstairs not so much but it was only 11 pm and the boys and girls there didn't have a problem being heard. They just spoke louder.
I've always had a problem with cover acts in bars. At the Lion & Unicorn, The Tap, Waltzing Weasel one could never have a chat because the music was too loud. I should add thats its not the volume its that I'm not interested in the music. It bores me so I turn away to chat but that becomes impossible.
And there's that light bulb moment. I am not interested in the same music most folks in Durham Region are. I mean KISS, right. You love it. I don't. Cover bands in bars? You love it. I don't. Ten per cent of what's out there I love, the other ninety is radio rock crap. But that sells doesn't it.
The places that cater to that crowd do really well. Those that I frequent, for new music, new stories, where musicians are playing their own compositions, don't do as well. They struggle, they close. New music lovers are in the most minor minority in this area.
So I wonder why I'm still chatting to you about these kids who make their own stuff when mostly y'all don't care. The politicians pay lip service to the scene and the bureaucrats don't care a wit at all. They know there is little business advantage in new art. Politicians think artists don't vote or if they do its for some fringe party.
Light bulb moment then. I do know that I will still champion those I believe in and still champion artists receiving fair access to the public purse, even as its contents get depleted on one political Taj Mahal or another. But in what format, what platform I'm not so sure anymore.
Something happened last Sunday at the Regent that was wicked cool. Tomorrow Sunday will be a busy day of art and music downtown. But Friday showed me that there is no money in this City for artists.
My advice to the D-Rock artists is to go where the money is, which is probably Toronto. You are all good enough to succeed there. I ask one favour. Whatever you do just don't allow the bureaucrats and club managers in this City to kill your dreams please. Move if you have too but don't give up because then all that work over the last twenty years (on and off) really will have been for nothing. I think those clipboard dictators are wrong but the truth is they are right for this area.
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