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commerzials
quoting Bill:
Microsound stuff won't get on radio easily because there won't be a >set of
images to accompany it to keep peoples' attention
you're probably right; in america, unless it's broadcasted on some
specialized National Public Radio show (Hearts of Space, anyone? --ugh!),
"texture-y" electronic music (micro or otherwise) doesn't really stand a
chance to achieve national airplay.
which is ironic, because commercial radio is infamous for appropriating
random, analog electronic sound for commercial purposes: think of station
IDs, wherein a fat analog synth zzzzZZAP! precludes a throaty DJ declaring
that you'll hear the best in classic rock "...only on Rock 105".
When they are forced to listen without the accompanying visual >elements
and with more lengthy and challenging pieces, they'll move >on to other
radio stations that make less demands >upon them.
A local university here in north florida hosts an annual international
electro-acoustic festival. Invariably, somebody from Leonardo or the
computer music journal mentions a wishful-thinking comment about
electro-acoustic music being accepted on mainstream radio programming. these
guys write/talk in such idealistic terms, like they actually believe weirdo
electronic music might hold some appeal for joe Q radio listener.
and whenever electronic music DOES appear on the radio (petshop boys and
eiffel 65 notwithstanding), it's total "utility" music, with a prescribed
function. House/techno is played on weekend nights on otherwise-top 40
channels to pump everybody up before they hit the clubs, and every sunday at
midnight, Hearts of Space is there to chill y'all out before the work week
begins again.
i hope i'm not being too pessimistic about this, or elitist: it would just
be gross if the esoteric music i love so much became exploited like much of
the underground music i dig.
bob maynard
np: o.coleman, body meta
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