Sack Your Parents, frickin mutherpushers.
Hmm.
Probably going to get another telling off for this.
But I've had a few calls recently that have really worried or angered me. Yes, I do communicate via other methods outside the t'information superweb sometimes.
It's pushy parents pushing their pushy kids cushy music (try saying that pissed). I think it's great when parents support their kids' musical ambitions n such. Very important in fact. But it's when they completely overbake the whole thing, putting the kid on a pedestal that they can only fall off from that I get irritated.
Most of the acts do have talent which is great. But they're then surrounded by people and an environment that fuels a circular belief. What you end up with is a kid in a bubble, really believing they're the best thing since Michael Jackson before they reach their invitable ceiling too soon. They end up feeling they've achieved their peak pre 16 as a rule and that peak wasn't quite good enough. The reality of it all is usually they're not very good, been paired up with a not very good producer, got some not very good promo done and subsequently done some not very good shows/PR. Whilst the whole time being surround by mum/dad-picked disciples telling them how sucessful and amazing they already are.
What they simply need is support and elbow room to do what they do and experience regular doses or reality and creative rejection. Every artist I meet, including pop hopefuls and signed acts, have a sense of perspective, realism and maturity (irrespective of age). The sort that can only be achieved through exposure to the realities and limitations of both the industry they work in and, more importantly, themselves. When you see kids who are 'naturally gifted' obviously there is an element of that. But they didn't wake up one day as Bob Dylan. On closer inspection you see they are in an environment that encourages development and them to witness first-hand what they can and can't achieve. Then they can improve and develop into good acts.
I probably shouldn't write blogs after phonecalls that p me off. So I may end up deleting this tomorrow.
Hope all is well with you.
Comments
There are a whole host of support systems out there for those with the "Pushy Parent " syndrome ; these range from peculiar daytime TV programmes to a host of virtual flash harries who will happily take large amounts of money from the gullible in order to help promote their off spring.
Mind you it tend to be different when a parent has had some personal experience of the Industry. This can be quite productive.
On the other hand , when I was 16 , my parents had no idea where I was or what I was up to. Or so I was led to beleive.
No, no, no. -Don't take this down!
I could sense the irritation, throughout this post, but it's a valid complaint.
As much as I believe that parents should be involved in their kids' interests, you are absolutely right about those that go overboard, and blow smoke up the childs arse... -Keeping them in an unrealistic delusion of perfection.
It's these types of parents who irk me too. First of all, showing a child some support with their craft is one thing... -Controlling their lives, in a selfish attempt to have a child earn a living for them is another. But, even worse is the parent who lies to the child, making them believe they are "the greatest thing since sliced bread", even when that's clearly not the case.
I kinda feel bad for the kids who's parents are like that. -It's the kids who suffer in the end, once they DO realize that they weren't so great after all.
Music is great because we can choose between what we like, and what we don't like, based on it's quality, and not because some overzealous parent merely wants to push it down our throats.
IB... -A good, valid rant won't hurt anyone. -This particular rant could possibly even be helpful if people read it with an open mind.
/still reading all the time, but not taking much time to update my site - album almost done!