Patton Oswalt: The Gatekeepers are not in control anymore

[Pocketplayer]

Interesting commentary...replace comedian with musician.
Worth the 20 mins

[langmick]

If you think about what is happening, it's a process of creative destruction. It's a positive thing. The old has been attacked by the new (internet). New paradigms are appearing, and working in some cases.

People just want it to happen cleanly and immediately. It rarely happens that way.

Hope and change!

[willyz]

This is great- thanks for sharing. While I see more honest, rare, and brilliant talent in comedy these days than music (could get a lot of shit from that, but it’s the truth- we haven’t really seen anyone or any band that has shaken the ground as someone like Louis CK has), it’s certainly applicable to many aspects of the arts.

But what I really dig about Patton’s speech is the attitude of defining the model on the corporate side of things and working with that, much like how the major labels used to be- finding the talent, being fans, and supporting them so they will grow as artists and deliver great content. With things like Vimeo, Youtube, and the tech we all have literally at our fingertips, I see great promise in terms of content from comedians, film makers, and those who work on TV. I think it’ll be a while before the new model is defined within in the music industry, on all levels.

[Josiah]

Interesting stuff.

Pertaining to music however, so long as Justin Beiber can occur. Nothing has really changed, just people are finding ways around the corporations. But the corporations still very obviously have the monopoly on lock. Just look at the numbers behind Beiber or any other current pop figure.

[Pocketplayer]

There will always be a Bieber...that came from the root of David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman or THAT
teen idol smacked all over the teen mags. Great Simpson episode where Lisa is obsessed with CORY...

I guess Sinatra and Elvis were in the same lineage with a lot more talent...I mean, look at what Elvis
got involved with in them movies. Horrid.

Bieber and Spears will have their day...get tired of "innocence" and try to enter the adult world...same
is true in the Christian music world...Amy Grant was THE poster pop girl then tried to break free.

Remember Curt Bisquera's video interview from that hot Latin gal in his house? In the end, he said basically
the exact same thing when a young drummer asks him about "making it" when he speaks to students. His first
response is, "Know how to use a computer then learn how to play drums...you must learn how to record in your
home for that kid who wants you to play on his LP funded by his rich uncle."

In the end, doesn't all boil down to Gorilla marketing? Technology has allowed for a very good home recording.
The the issue was marketing it and getting it heard. Then came Internet options like Willy mentioned in the
vibe of Youtube. This is where Oswalt said there is brilliant, average, and crap...JUST like on the TV network shows.
The playing field is now even...and the talent was always there...it is now about finding the gold.

American Idol: (The enormous success of the show and the revenue it generated was transformative for Fox
Broadcasting Company.The show pushed Fox to become the number one TV network amongst adult 18–49,
the key demographic coveted by advertisers, for an unprecedented seven consecutive years by 2011)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol#Television

This changed the HOW...remember when you had to tour in a van across the country the gain an audience
hoping to get signed?

Elton John said artists needed to experience “hard graft” if they were to succeed in the long term...very
few of today’s recording artists wrote their own material. “It’s important they write their own songs, so
they’re not at the mercy of anyone,” he said. “Songwriters today are pretty awful, which is why everything
sounds the same. Contemporary pop isn’t very inspiring.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8071167/Sir-Elton-John-claims-todays-music-all-sounds-the-same.html

How else could William Hung become a cultural sensation? Was he even in his high school chorus in Sun Valley, CA?

[Josiah]

I agree 100%.

Wouldn't it be nice if the major media outlets weren't controlled under such an absurd monopoly though?


Sinatra and Elvis were incredibly good musicians. Most (if not all) of the pop stars from the last decade aren't even musicians. They are actors.

[Lucas Ives]

Also agreed.

There are exceptions (Adele, John Mayer), but most of the rest are more showman than musician.

[Josiah]

Also agreed.

There are exceptions (Adele, John Mayer), but most of the rest are more showman than musician.

Excellent point, like Sting.

John went to Berklee, all be it for a short time. But he's one hell of a musician. As a guitarist, learning his "pop" songs is quite eye opening. Incredibly well written music. I actually like Adele. But man they must play her songs a lot on the radio because where ever I randomly hear radio ( walmart, friends car, etc), it's often I hear 1 of 3 songs off her new album.

Don't get me wrong, I'd jump at the Justin Beiber gig (who wouldn't?), but I do firmly believe that kind of manufactured pop music greatly hinders actual original artists.

My band was flat out told we could not get radio play without major representation.

[Kurtis]

he's got some valid points. Schooled guy. Paid his dues.

What's up with him using the word luck. He worked his butt off. People dug his stuff so they (companies) hired him. No luck in that. intelligent and humble guy. Patton is great in the movie Big Fan.

Liked how he talked about right of passage and how that's changed. Everyone listening knows how it's changed. Cause everyone is doing just what he said to do. Youtube, smartphones and so forth.

[langmick]

I iust saw a jojo clinic. Taped it too, he had some harsh reality he dropped. No bullshit reality. I enjoyed hearing him twlk than play.

Video will be in a bit. I shot itwith my Zoom Q3.

Almost bought his new pedal.