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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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