Re: [microsound] music is the ultimate incorruptible

[erik schoster <ejschoster@xxxxxxxxx>]

Interesting discussion - I agree with the general utopian feeling in the
inital post, but i think it's worth discussing the complications...

"there are no power disparities" [in performance]

I don't agree at all - I really can't think of an example of a musical
performance that wasn't operating within some sort of power structure.
Something along the lines of a group event outside of a normal performance
venue might approach that - that might be one way of minimizing the
aesthetic powerbase of the author, and the cultural framing/powerbase of the
performance venue (the idea that I think is being discussed RE: the sound of
a train on CD or in "nature").

I'm not such a pessimist that I think very beautiful or aesthetic things
can't happen in a traditional context, or that it's impossible to preserve
your agency as a listener in a performance situation (if that's the goal -
maybe the goal is to completely submit, or something in between...) but i
think it's worth discussing, since i dont' see that power relationship ever
going away.

On 3/14/06, David Powers <cyborgk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

4. Music is EVIL. Music gives musicians power over people, evil power,
> it's a form of mind control and brainwashing. That's why I love
> performing!
>

Here's the other side of the binary you set up (music is benevolent / music
is malevolent).

I don't think we're going to get very far trying to prove either side of it
- what seems most interesting is the structure underneath that we're arguing
over - which is that power dynamic.  It would be nice, maybe, if music for
some reason allowed us to step outside of every power structure and exist on
some completely egalitarian plane.  As much as this is often the intention,
I think we have to be brave and realize that it's very very difficult to
realize.

As far as working towards erasing power structures in music, Mattin seems to
be doing some nice things in doing his best to not allow capitol to be an
ingredient in his music (he releases his music for free, made on open source
software, etc etc).  Someone on this list just brought this up actually.

Just some thoughts...

best,
erik

--
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