It's Not the Shape of the Cookie, but How it Tastes...

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a Songwriter’s competition at Mama’s Pub. Over the last five weeks (one of them was an off week) there has been a consistent batch of fabulous local talent performing on the stage - each one an individually different songwriter - which brings me excitement as a music fan.

I will give props to anyone who can go out and perform their own material. A musician takes incredible leaps of faith in trying to share their music with whoever cares to listen, and sometimes they get lucky. Working in radio, I’m fully aware of how hard it is for an artist to make money doing what they do, and it’s probably especially tough when the music that is making money (and getting airplay) sounds just like everything else. There is so much cookie cutter music in the world that, at times, it can be very discouraging as, not only an artist, but a fan as well. It’s exciting to hear someone new pour their heart out in song, especially in a way that doesn’t fit the mold of what’s “popular”.

Music is subjective; no doubt. What I like is completely different from what you may have in mind as “good” music. I will not fault you for loving bands like Nickelback (obviously you aren’t the only one who does) However, I would encourage you to look past the surface of a song, and dig into the emotion behind it; find originality in the delivery of the message. Sure, what’s being said may have been said before…many times, but it’s how it’s being said that is refreshing; which can give universal themes diversity and possibly different meaning to the listener.

And, I’m not talking covers here, by the way. A cover is a tribute to an artist you admire, or possibly just a way to show off your voice on a talent show. American Idol is a fantastic avenue for talented people to have their voice heard, but unless they’re writing their own songs once the winner has been named, that’s all they are: a voice - albeit, a talented voice.

The way I see it, anyone with the ability to throw three chords together and write a rhyme or two can easily have a hit song, but that, to me is like saying, “hey look I coloured within the lines; I’m a painter.” I don’t want to hear what’s been done before. I don’t want to hear the same song with different words and a different tempo as I go through an album. Give me diversity; give me emotion; give me a chill…then you’ve got something.

-Crash-
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