Boards
Yesterday's OMM/ 'No Music Day'
Firstly, for those who didn't see it: yesterday's Observer Music Monthly featured a two-page article by Bill Drummond, member of the KLF and all-round genius. The article seemed to focus around the fact that Drummond himself seems to be 'dis-illusioned' with much modern music, and has found himself not wanting to listen to anything, or at least not wanting to listen to what he has heard. He advocates something called 'No Music Day'. Look here http://www.nomusicday.com/home.htm for what this is, although it seems self explanatory really. A day, when you don't listen to music.
Which, frankly, is one of the single most ludicrous and stupid ideas I have ever read. I don't have the article to hand (mainly because I read it in the pub yesterday morning and got so drunk I forget to take my own shoes home, let alone my newspaper, but that's by-the-by) but, frankly, it's farcical.
Drummond says that he grew disillusioned with his CD collection, and that he only found salvation in Beach Boys and Byrds records. Two possible responses to this: 1, so fucking what? Music is timeless, it matters not what you enjoy and when, and 2, we all have phases when we want to listen to certain things, or don't want to listen to others. You know, it is possible to, like, come back to something you don't particularly want to hear now. Why make a big deal out of it? You don't see me writing an article about how, over the past month, I've not wanted to listen to the Inspiral Carpets or Slayer, but I may in the future.
In the article, Drummond also says that he searched 'every corner of the internet' and 'all the shelves at HMV' for something to listen to, but couldn't find anything. Frankly Mr Drummond, I don't believe you. You simply haven't looked hard enough. If you expect me to believe, for one second, that there is not one single new band with a Myspace profile out there that you don't enjoy on at least some level, then you're deluded. The amount of bands out there is seemingly larger than ever - and yes, there is some awful stuff being made, but amidst it all there are diamonds in the rough. And you know what? It's in all genres. Everything from straight-up indie rock to Eastern European noseflute sonatas are out there, and easier to access than ever. You feel like you aren't being challenged by some new music? I say bollocks.
He then advocates supporting 'No Music Day'. A day when he hopes we can all take a day off from listening to music of any kind and in any form. Simple question: why?! Music is what makes me world go round, it's what I love. Your disillusionment is, simply, not being felt by the majority of the public out there. Don't blame us for this. Music is an intensely personal thing, and just because you can't find anything that YOU want to listen to, doesn't mean the rest of us aren't out there discovering, re-discovering, and enjoying our own personal musical highlights, day after day after day.
In much the same way as 'Buy Nothing Day' is the idea of some crazed buffoon with too much time on his/her hands, so is No Music Day. Buy Nothing Day...yes, that'll help things, won't it? I won't buy anything today, but...but...I wonder if the shops will be open tomorrow? I wonder... Oh no! Business will collapse because I didn't buy my Guardian, 20 Camel Lights and Double Decker today! What are they going to do!!! No Music Day is the same flawed idea. What, exactly, is it meant to achieve? By not listening to music today, what on earth will get accomplished? I'll tell you what. Fuck all. The world will keep turning, and I, personally, will keep listening to music in much the same way as I alreaady do. Because, right now, I fucking love THOUSANDS of things out there. Don't try and shove your disillusionment on me. It won't work.