[Dynagroove] in search of positive solutions

Fri Nov 7 02:42:14 PST 2003

Honestly the promoter books the Dj and sets the tone for the consumer to
enjoy or reject.

If the consumer can portray to the promoter what they want/who they want
the promoter can then bring that vibe/artist out. 

Honestly if everybody in the scene took it upon themselves to find one
person that hasn't been exposed to REAL house (You know every one of you
knows at least one person but you haven't taken the time to expose it to
them) take your time and expose it to them, some may never like it but
give them a couple CDs and they may end up getting acquainted with house
music the way we have. Maybe not get into it as much but at least learn
to appreciate it and not immediately dismiss it.

Ultimately more people are going to get involved with the house scene
because it's developed itself into a more consumer/radio friendly music
(especially the new naked/om-records/loveslap stuff.

I will personally find 2 people tomorrow and expose them to good house
music. I will buy 100 CDs burn good Mix CDs of doug Jordan and give them
to people that need the exposure. 

It's just an idea, if everybody picked up a piece of trash every day our
world would be clean, but whenever we saw those commercials we said
"well hey if everybody else is picking up trash I don't really have to" 

I don't really know where I'm going with this any more

COME TO FOCUS TO SEE MARQUES WYATT THIS TUESDAY!
HAHA
www.mindboxmedia.com/focus

-----Original Message-----
From: dynagroove-bounces at dynagroove.com
[mailto:dynagroove-bounces at dynagroove.com] On Behalf Of
FunkyMusicWhiteGirl
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 10:45 PM
To: dynagroove at dynagroove.com
Subject: [Dynagroove] in search of positive solutions

For the past several days we have seen a lot of discussion about
problems with the house music scene in Los Angeles.  Though it wasn't
explicitly stated, I think that the point was to identify the problems
so that we can find solutions.  With that in mind, I challenge all of
you to turn the discussion towards possible solutions.

Personally, I think one of the most important things to keep in mind is
balance.  We have to find the right balance between the artists, the
promoters/venue owners, and the consumers of the house music scene.
Each is a vital organ in the body of the house; together they keep it
alive, but when one of those organs fails the entire creature can die.

Thus, I believe that in order to keep the house music scene alive -- and
perhaps even to help it thrive and grow -- we need to look
constructively at the needs of each of those entities.

DJs:

Every DJ needs an audience.  Novice DJs need an opportunity to cut their
teeth, and as they become more experienced -- and hopefully better at
their art -- they need to move upward in the scene.  As with any
profession, there has to be an entry level.

The entry-level slots for house music DJs can be provided in a number of
ways, certainly more than I have thought of here.  There can lots of
small venues for low- or no-cover.  Or perhaps the venue could reserve
the first hour for someone new, or even start the music a little
earlier.  (Many of these places are bars, and bars open for happy hour,
so perhaps they could try out a newer DJ during happy hour.)  What other
avenues can each of you think of to realistically provide "young" DJs an
opportunity to be heard and hone their skills, and how do you propose in
a *positive* and happy way for us to make it clear that we are providing
a training ground (so to speak) for these people and that our entire
scene should not be defamed just because we want new DJs to have such
opportunities?

Promoters & Venue Owners:

The venue is a business and therefore it needs to make money, end of
story.

I once rented out the Hollywood Athletic Club and threw an event that
brought in over 1300 people.  There were just two ways that money was
made that night:  alcohol and cover charges.  Once people are in the
door, the club doesn't make any more money off the cover charge; once
the bar is closed, it doesn't make any more money off the alcohol.
Thus, the venues have very little interest in staying open beyond 2 a.m.
If we want the clubs to stay open later, we need to find something that
provides them an incentive to do so -- something more than just love of
the dance.  What ideas do any of you have?

 Consumers -- the patrons / dancers: 

People need a reason to come to the events.  For some, that may mean
providing them with an "old school" environment.  For others, that may
mean easing them into house, maybe giving them just a taste of it
alongside their 80s, their disco, their trance.  For yet others, that
may mean an upscale club, giving the masses a dose of the house and
letting them do things their way.  

We have heard some excellent ideas on this one particular issue.  I
think that those who say we need to reach out to those outside of the
house scene have a valid point.  I was watching Alias a little over a
week ago, and I heard a remix of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" of all
things -- and I loved it!  The more I think about it, the more it leads
me to the conviction that if we open our minds and our hearts to those
who differ from us, we can make beautiful music together.

I also think that those who want more old school, warehouse-style
parties likewise have a good point.  I think that we can do both,
perhaps each in moderation.  Maybe this week an underground, sweaty
dirty warehouse party, and next week we tear it up on Hollywood
Boulevard.

Please allow me to make one parting observation.  From time immemorial,
creatures who have failed to evolve have become extinct.  Those who
adapt to new environments survive.  That is not to say that we should
compromise our principles, it is simply an observation that we must be
flexible and interact positively with the world that surrounds us.  Only
then will we, the collective house music scene, survive now and into the
future.

Peace, love, and happiness,

Alex

a.k.a. FunkyMusicWhiteGirl
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