Ah, you're right; I do agree with you on that front...to an extent. Studio versus stage are two different beasts, and I agree that paying fans that take the time to come see a show deserve a few bones thrown their way; but even then, there is a point that it becomes ridiculous to expect a band to cater to the fans' wants when it's pretty clear that by this discussion alone that it's impossible to please every group, even in a setting where the show is specifically for the fans. The most that a band should cater to the fans is exactly what Opeth is doing now: A mixture of the music that the band is supporting, be it a specific album tour or a series of special shows in commemoration of a milestone for the band, along with a few fan-favorites that cater to the majority of the fans' wants. If they attempted to please even half of every fan's incessant wants they would be playing the same setlists constantly, their sound would never evolve, they would be running in circles and end up never making music for themselves and probably hate every minute, and the newest album would be Black Rose's Immortal WaterPark (Part XI).
Which brings us to the next topic: Music is
not a business for the
band (aside from a literal sense, but I'm speaking in regards to the band's personal intentions); do they make money from it? Yes, but that does not mean that it is a business in a personal sense to the band. I'm not blanketing the entire industry as, in the broad sense of the word, it is a business. But in regards to Opeth and specifically Mikael himself, and I'm not speaking matter-of-factly as neither of us
know, but I'm confident that one of their goals when starting this band was not "Make a shitload of money and become famous". Many musicians do and they are much more wealthy than Opeth collectively and
they cater to the masses, waiting on hand and foot to every swinging dick and Nancy; I'm also quite certain that those people are the people that are in the music business. I'm quite certain that Mikael does not see the writing, recording, and touring process as 'going to work'. The
record labels see music as a business,
certain fans see music as a business, music industry
companies see music as a business and while I cannot speak for the band, I'd be willing to bet my left nut that Mikael and co. absolutely do not see their love for playing, writing and making music as a business in and of itself. Are they happy that their once-hobby has now turned into a lucrative outlet? Sure as shit, they do. I also think that, yes, even if they made little money playing music, they would (with careers in other areas) fund their own gigs, play small shows, and enjoy themselves all the same, playing the music they want to play.
When they began, that's exactly what they were doing and it's how most every band that has love for music begins (sans the 'performers'). The lucrative side of the industry does spur some bands into performing, writing, and playing specifically for the fans and will listen to every numbskull that worships the ground they walk (y'know, until the band creates a album that isn't designed for the fans or goes against the grain). But fans come and go, they change daily, and they are for the most part completely unreliable and utterly fickle. There are exceptions of course, and once again, Mikael has made it clear he loves every fan for
allowing him to have a career in the music industry; but why does that mean that he must cater to our wants? Lest we forget that it is just as much our choice to support the band as it is his for making the music. There is no law on either side that says that one must cater to the other. Don't like the music? Don't support it; I'm sure Opeth will be just fine without it. People like Steven Wilson and Mikael Akerfeldt hardly portray a sense of business perspective in regards to the music industry. That's kind of the point to record labels, and it's also why bands and labels clash so constantly because the labels clearly see the band as a money-making entity; the band and people involved personally, creatively and intellectually do not see it as such. Cue Dream Theater discussions regarding Falling Into Infinity and the battle between producer and creator. Etc. etc.
Case in point: We fans are so ever-changing and so two-faced that if they were to cater to us, they'd end up going insane and still not making very much money from it because very few bands/artists are in the music industry with the explicit purpose of having a career. The career part comes from the fans willful support of the band; a choice that we make because, supposedly, we like the music that they make and want them to make more. When the 'more' part comes and you no longer like it, the answer is simple: Do not support it. Fans do not have the right to be 'disrespected' because a band made music that they didn't like; it is not an equal marriage, it's not even a relationship. It is a support system built around the band. No support does not equal no music; it merely means that the band will have to be self-sufficient. I suppose the true test would be for every fan to stop support and to see if the band continues to put out music on their own. But hopefully that won't happen. Either way...I'm kind of going every which way now and I'm so very tired.
If it's tl;dr, you can eat my magical asshole in an attempt to become literate and less lazy.
'You' being anyone who decides to respond and the collective forum. Good discussion, even if it will never go anywhere and we may never see eye to eye; it was stimulating.
Topic: The official Opeth thread v. Bring on the new album! (Read 193992 times)
