STAYING TOGETHER
Nov 1, 2005 12:00 PM, The Remix Editors, Robert Hanson Erin Hutton Kylee Swenson
Our main focus here at Remix is obviously music production and the technology behind it. And generally speaking, our artist coverage is centered around the more technical side of things — which is great if you're looking to gain some insight into the working methods of a particular artist. Unfortunately, a four-page feature seldom leaves enough room to delve into other issues. As most of us know, working with a band, a production partner or even a vocalist involves so much more than simply showing up at the studio on time and hitting Record.
One of the great things about making music is that it's really not that hard to find a couple of warm bodies who are interested in collaborating (drummers are a whole other issue altogether). Do a quick search on Craigslist, and you're likely to find at least a handful of people who are on your wavelength. Are you looking to do a Cuban-inspired, darkwave, trip-hop record? Chances are, some other weirdo is, too. But sitting five people down in a room with a collection of instruments doesn't always yield a cohesive music-making entity. Chemistry can be just as important as talent and drive. You and your bandmates may all be on the same page musically, but if you hate on another's guts, it's probably not going to last.
But if you do finally get things going with potential collaborators, you face a litany of other issues that can bog things down — with the worst offender being ego. Ego can make its nasty presence known much sooner than you would ever anticipate. If you're a local act that is just starting to make some noise, one skewed piece of press or some aftershow invite-only party can lay the groundwork for World War III at your next rehearsal. Attention and accolades are never dealt out evenly, and they can be poisonous if you're not careful. You could be the most talented songwriter since John Lennon, but if you hire an underwear model to be the singer in your band, don't get offended when you're not the one mugging for the camera.
Possibly one of the biggest misconceptions that musicians have is that once they become successful, the money, the attention and the screaming fans will make up for any interpersonal problems that exist. And for a moment, they might. But ask members of Depeche Mode about that, and you will get an earful. As members of one of the most successful acts of the past two decades, you'd think that Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andrew Fletcher would have it all worked out at this point. But the reality is that these three guys are still grappling with the same kinds of issues that regular bands have to deal with. (Perhaps no greater evidence of this is that the band lost a member, Alan Wilder, who quit some years back.) Just like the rest of us, they argue about who gets to write the songs and who will sing what, and sometimes they don't talk to each other for few weeks at a time. Does any of this sound familiar?
Musical endeavors are as fragile and chaotic as any relationship. But if you go into them with realistic expectations and keep the channels of communication open, you might be able to stay in for the long road ahead.
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