More Thoughts…
Posted by Cindy on August 30th, 2006
I think the comment below carries a lot of weight. Sam aside, it’s always been my understanding that the Observer is, and has always been, an “alternative” rag. I took that to mean that they are a little left of mainstream. They hire cool, hip writers and critics, who write about a lot of cool hip things. I can’t recall a time, at least in the last decade, in which they paid much attention to the metal scene or the country scene or even the regular ol’ rock scene other than to diss ‘em. Not their cup-o-tea, and these genres aren’t particularly “cool” and “hip” to the readers of the D.O. I suppose. I dunno, I’m assuming that they have a division of New Times filled with folks who research and provide demographics of their readership. The critics have always come off as arrogant music elitists, I just always figured that was their schtick in a sense.
I think it’s important to understand that the Observer doesn’t claim to be a “local music supporter,” nor the end-all resource for all music in DFW. They cover a certain niche of music and venture into other areas (hip-hop, country, etc.) when they deem a band worthy of print. I rarely pick up a hard-copy, but I’ve been told that the Curtain Club/Liquid Lounge/Clearview collection’s weekly ads were MIA in last week’s edition. If they pulled out because of things Sam has written, then that was a bad business move on their part as far as I’m concerned. Sam, nor any other writer/critic at the Observer should be expected to kiss the asses of their advertisers just because they advertise. If that were the case, we’d never get to read the real thoughts of the writers.
I’ve been exposed to a broad range of genres and bands in the past 6 years that I’ve been a promoter. While there are genres and bands that I don’t particularly like, I still could look past that and note the talent and quality regardless of my personal taste. I’ve said this like a gazillion times, and I’ll say it again…nobody, but nobody can tell me what music to like. I don’t give a flying eff what anyone thinks of my taste, it’s my taste, therefore it’s good (or bad) to me.
When I started TexasGigs almost 4 years ago, I did so because I saw a need. I tried to cover as many genres as I could, as well as provide as much information about shows, bands, music news, etc. I’ve been criticized on numerous occasions about being too broad, but in all honesty, my taste in music is broad. I’ve spent bazillions of hours in smoky clubs checking out bands of all genres. I learned a tremendous amount about the metal/rock scene while working with Chaz and TexasRadio1, with our co-hosts Mark Beneventi (Harder Beat) and Jerry Rutherford (National Noise). We interviewed and listened to the majority of the local rock/metal/hardcore bands. We went to their shows. We got to know their fans. And while those particular genres are nowhere near my personal preference in music, I still learned a lot and found that there is a very solid, very vital metal/rock scene in Dallas. I’m talking about packed clubs, passionate fans, and thriving bands. Plus, between the 4 of us, we introduced a wide range of bands and artists in various genres to each other. Hell, Jerry Rutherford is probably the most hardcore metal fan I’ve met to date, yet he’s the one who turned me on to Shanghai 5, a band definitely not metal that he happens to like.
I started out in this biz with alt.country/Texas Country/Red Dirt bands. I know that particular scene quite well and have found some amazingly talented bands and musicians. Again, you wouldn’t know that we have a suffering music scene by the crowds who pack into Adair’s and Love & War and White Elephant and Woody’s. In fact, I interviewed Justin Frazell a few months back and asked him his thoughts on the current state of the DFW music scene and he looked at me like I was crazy. You’ll find 200 people on any given Sunday afternoon at the KHYI Shiner Sundays at Love & War…that’s 200 people in raging 100+ heat outside to hear their favorite Country bands.
I think at this point that if you want to read about bands/genres you particularly prefer, then you pick the right publications/website/whatever that features these types of bands and music. If you want hardcore/metal/rock, choose Harder Beat or DFW Heavy Metal. If you want Country/Red Dirt or Blues, then a few good choices are Buddy Magazine (copies can be found at Bill’s Records, Sons of Hermann) or Miss Lana or This is Texas Music or Texas Music Guide. If you wanna know more about Rap/Hip-Hop/R&B then your first stop should always be DFW Hip-Hop.
I gotta ton of links to blogs/sites who concentrate on the indie/shoegaze/experimental/yada…yada scene starting with Dallas Observer and ending with Gorilla vs Bear. Lotsa links here.
I guess I’m just a simple gal. I don’t listen to certain music or artists because it’s the cool thing to do. I don’t dislike bands just because this week’s know-it-all bloggers or critics say I should. Music, at least to me, is a part of life…a really good part. It’s gotten me through good times and bad. I can hear a song that’ll take me back to an exact moment in my life, and allow me to re-live it, even just for 3 minutes. I don’t need to break down lyrics or discuss guitar riffs, or debate the validity of a certain genre. Hell, I just wanna hear good music, enjoy good shows, and see a lot of very talented artists find their place, make some money and continue to offer me the music I so desperately love.
Bloggers such as We Shot JR maintain that “supporting” or covering the music “scene” as a whole is not what this town needs. They stand firm that there are only a few really good bands in DFW and the rest suck. I disagree, but hey, that’s their opinion so more power to ‘em. I happen to think it’s important for bloggers/critics/writers/reviewers/et al get themselves out to shows in all genres before they deem that the entire DFW music scene basically sucks. Just because a person doesn’t like a particular genre, doesn’t make it suck. Music is subjective. Nobody is an expert. Nobody has the all-knowing last word, and if you choose to join the herd just to come off as cool or hip, then you are missing out on a whole lotta music you may never have a chance to experience.
Also it’s important to remember that this is a business…an industry if you will. Clubs are in business to make money. Landlords are in the business to make money. The Observer is in the business to make money. Bands and artists would very much like to make money. It’s all a vicious circle – bands need to draw so that clubs can make money and pay the bands and keep the doors open so that bands can draw so that clubs can make money…. Quitcher bitchin’ about the state of the scene and do something about it. Sam tried as best he could with the restraints of editors, higher-ups, etc. He did what he was hired to do. He did an excellent job, continued to grow and get better and better ( as well as more open-minded) with every edition. He was blind-sided in the worst way, seeing that they had a replacement hired before they handed him his letter to leave.
There’s a helluva lot wrong with the music biz in DFW, much of it the nature of the beast, but certainly not all the fault of one significant music editor.
I pulled the comment below from this post because this person made some excellent points. Plus, I think the thoughts and experiences of our sound professionals deserve way more attention than they are given…
Sam was a critic. Unfortunately, he was a very myopic critic. If the music performed by bands did not fit in his narrow audio tunnel vision of acceptable music, it was crap. And that doesn’t truly serve the music scene as a whole, because the majority of the music scene is nothing like those bands. I see band after band after band as a sound-guy. I have run sound for literally THOUSANDS OF BANDS and SHOWS in this scene and abroad. I have worked with the most horribly inept, self delusional, arrogant asses you can imagine, and the most professional, respectful, and talented bands ever to come from the DFW area. Unfortunately when talent is involved, the numbers are not in most peoples favor. The majority of bands in this city are either not very good or musically interesting. (But, and here is the key… they and their friends all think they are.) But having said that, there are greater numbers other than the .0001% of the bands that the observer historically worships who are worth seeing, and they have friends and scenes that support them. Some are bands just starting out and trying to find a voice. Others are just doing it for fun and to impress girls. Others are way too serious in their own minds. And just because you do not respect metal for instance, does not preclude there are some decent metal bands in this town. Personally, I hate most hip hop. Should I just bad mouth any hip hop artist booked to do a show I have to run, and make fun of them to people at the bar and club? No, I run sound for hip hop acts with the same effort and enthusiasm I would for any other type of act. I am a sound-man, and it is my job to be as objective as possible, and not throw my bad attitude and ill opinion into the mix. I can’t just decide I only like to run sound for Chemistry Set and Salim and fuck everybody else! The same is true for a music critic. You have to look at the totality of the scene, not disparage it as all garbage outside of your limited tastes. What if your food critic only ate steak tartar. Hated seafood? So therefore every restrauant is not worth the salt on the table if they serve seafood, cause only steak tartar rocks! That’s not very informative. It borders on obsessive though.
Personally, I blame Robert Wilonsky for young Sam’s impressions, because these are the same basic bands and venues Robert touted 8 years ago, or at least the same musicians, and Roberts a pretty charismatic and opinionated man. Hey, Ol’ 97’s are great. Sorta are incredible when they are. Midlake..not my cup of tea. But there you have it. You can’t accurately cover a music scene when you only focus on an extremely narrow faction of it. You are playing the ‘cooler and more informed than you” card that used to be the role of the snob in the music store. That role is not helpful to the readership. I doubt the majority of the readers of the D.O. are into Midlake, or Sorta. I can usually confirm that by their attendance records. And that my friends, is the subject nobody wants to accept. It’s not about the art, it’s about money, and American Idol is freakin huge man! .
Radio has never cared about the music that is played, they only care about the advertising they can sell. MTV has never cared what style the music was, or the message being spread, just how much revenue in ads it can produce. And clubs and promoters ultimately don’t really care what bands play, they care about selling alcohol and tickets. And the majority of professional acts don’t care who pays them, as long as they get paid. Sad fact of life, not very inspiring, but that’s the way it is. And if everybody in this town continues to have a stick up their asses about showbiz reality, there won’t be anyplace left for your fledgling band to play. It will all go away. So get your bags and start headin for San Fran, or NY, cause the scene here is being destroyed by arrogance and apathy. Everybody in this town acts like they are immediate stars simply because they shopped at Buffalo Exchange and Urban Outfitters. Not everybody can only play on the weekends. And NO club in this town has a built in draw anymore. Not enough people to sustain it. Bills are really high in case you haven’t noticed. Can you imagine how much it costs just for electricity in most of the clubs in this town? Everybody acts like the clubs are their rich friends dad’s house. They are not. If you don’t spend money, the clubs will go away. It’s up to your band to try to inspire friends to see you, and to work hard to get on bills that complement your music with someboy who draws more than you. (Perhaps I will start a blog pointing out facts of life about any music scene. I’ll let ya know. )
Granted Deep Ellum has taken a large kick in the ass in the last two years. It’s unfortunate for me to see, because when I was the age of most of the local bands now, there were NO places to play. Deep Ellum started out as a place where kids could get together and create something new. It’s really a shame to see this new generation just kick it to the curb. You will regret it eventually.
I wish Sam the best of luck in his future endeavors. Getting fired abruptly is never a cool thing. But he has cost me a lot of work as well thru closed nights directly due to his juvenile verbal attacks on a scene he doesn’t fully understand or support. He doesn’t live in it like those of us who work it on a day to day basis, trying to provide a garden for talent to spring forth. Sometimes there are droughts Sam. Sometimes there are droughts.
PS: If I were a club owner/manager or a band dependent on the amount of cover charges in order to get paid, I’d start putting out some serious surveys to find out where your customers/fans are coming from and how they heard about the show. I might just do that at an upcoming show. I’m very curious as to why people choose to go to shows if they know nothing about the band(s)….or if the weight of the Dallas Observer or any other music source really does drive people to shows…Dallas is not particularly a live music loving town, but I see new faces out a lot…wonder where they are coming from…hm…
August 30th, 2006 at 10:30 am
I concur with everything you said Cindy. I honestly think that this has to do with money.. nothing else.. for all we know some national corporate suit was probably doing his regular daily phone calls to advertisers and why they cancelled and he probably got an answer like “I stopped advertising cus that Sam Mackovich kid wrote shit about me!”
That could have been the case.. but it might not have been. But point is like you said.. The Observer gives a thimble full of piss about music. They care about MONEY! Thats not hard to understand.
Most people go to the internet to read about the music scene anyway.. as evidenced by the observer creating a “blog” hahah..
anyhoo,
is this the most comments you have ever got? seriously 108? that is crazy.. thats like Perezhilton or Dlisted crazy.
you started a fire cindy!! put it out! hahah..
and when the hell are we going to hang out? whadafa? I know you have kids and all.. but you did adopt me from the gypsies.
August 30th, 2006 at 10:31 am
I miss you Johnny…I was hoping you’d take me to NYC…heh…
August 30th, 2006 at 10:34 am
shoot me an email!
now!
I dont even have your email anymore.. did you change it from the old texasgigs email?
you probably had too.. stupid texasgigs… ahhaha..
seriously..
email me right now!!!
I have some fun stuff to share…
August 30th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Man!!! im bout go outta town im enjoying the debates very good points by alot of yall…… lets raise the DFW music scene…
Pikahsso
http://www.myspace.com/pikahsso
Cindy and Amanda im proud of yall cause the site is starting to blow up for real.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
yo, shut it! sam was fired for snapping the validity of his position as music editor. music critics DO NOT and SHOULD NOT have any working relationships w/local musicians and/or rival blogs or publications. it’s called a conflict of interest, and it’s rule #1. is it any wonder you guys are crying so loudly! not that you were the only ones. not by a long shot.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
this is by far the best local music site in town. i know cindy has been going to shows for years recording them and doing live webcasts and supporting the scene in more ways than just behind a computer screen. amanda has been a nice addition and i’ve enjoyed several of her shows at club dada. there’s more to it than just writing a blog or a music site than just opinions and cut and pastes. the real people who are doing something are the people out there at shows, investing money in shows and equipment and getting to know the music community as a whole. keep up the good work ladies.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Just checkin’ up on the monster comments and thought I’d add my two rupees worth to the discussion.
People are very tribal. They love the sound of their own drums. The sound of rival drums is threatening and must be destroyed. This has been going on since man lived in caves. And to limited view of things, the folks posting comments to the “Sucky News” post bear this out. My meager suggestion is we escape the dark, limiting vision of our caves and seek a more expansive vision in the light.
One more thing. The failing music scene (and the urban scene in general) is a symptom of a bigger problem. Over the last 50 yrs there has been an explosion of suburban sprawl. Hell, the suburbs have exploded so much we’ve had to make exurbs! Not only has this resulted in serious environmental and aesthetic costs, it has also resulted in the breakdown of America’s civic engagement. This just exacerbates the tribal, “us vs. them” problem. I’m thinkin’ not only do we need to revolutionize the Dallas music scene, we need to revolutionize the use of public policy and politics to better utilize and shape our built environment. Hell yes! Power to the People! Speak truth to power!
Ummm, have I said to much? I apologize from the bottom of my drum.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
I like this part the best…
Just because a person doesn’t like a particular genre, doesn’t make it suck. Music is subjective. Nobody is an expert. Nobody has the all-knowing last word, and if you choose to join the herd just to come off as cool or hip, then you are missing out on a whole lotta music you may never have a chance to experience.
Keep doing what you’re doing Cindy & Amanda. Intuition is a priceless instinct, that will never do you wrong despite all the talk of business art and commerce.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Alex, have I mentioned how very much I love you yet today? I love you very much.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Awesome job, Cindy and Amanda, of building community and facilitating (mostly) healthy debate. This has really been a fascinating couple of threads.
The well-articulated passions of so many posters gives me hope about the ongoing reinvention and continual redevelopment of our music, social, and general civic scenes. So long as there’s passion, there’s hope — and that goes for Dallas, Austin, or anywhere else.
Luv ya,
Patrick
August 30th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
While I realize that though I am Cindy’s partner here on The Fine Line, I also realize that I carry little to no weight with most of its readers, but I would like to share my thoughts on what I’ve been reading on this site lately…
Back in April I accidentally fell into the role of ‘booking agent.’ I was terrified and I had no idea what I was doing, but I managed to summon up enough courage to try. I decided that I would create an environment that was open and supportive to musicians and local artists every Thursday night at Dada.
I’d heard what people were saying about the local music ‘”scene”. I’d heard that nobody cared about the music or the bands. So I decided that I wouldn’t take a cut of the door, I would create and pay for the print of the posters each week, and make sure that 100% of the door went straight to the bands. No cut for the sound guy, no cut for the door guy. I had at my disposal a venue, Club Dada, which was owned by musicians and run for musicians, and totally supported what I wanted to do, no questions asked.
My first ever month in the “scene” was awful. You know why? Local bands. Not all of them, but a large enough percentage that its left a lasting impression.
For example, I have an email folder that I started back in April of every single band that was rude, cruel, condescending or otherwise unbelievably demanding, including several bands that demanded no less than $400 for 50 minutes. And I’m not talking about bands like Sorta or Old 97’s, I’m talking about bands that had just started gigging. More often than not, in the beginning, the Dallas-based bands that I tried to book were downright hateful to me. (I still keep my folder updated, it acts as my blacklist and I’m not afraid to admit that. When other booking agents and venues ask me about a specific band and they just happen to be in this folder, I forward the emails, allowing those bands to speak for themselves. )
Now I’ve been hosting my weekly shows going on five months and in doing so, I’ve learned one thing from spending at least two nights a week at Dada: If ANYONE is to blame for the downfall of the “scene” it certainly isn’t the music critics, the venues, the promoters or the booking agents or even suburban sprawl (I once drove 6 hours round trip to hear a band play 50 minutes). I place the blame squarely on the attitudes of many younger bands and many of the younger ‘supposed’ music fans in Dallas.
Bands that refuse to support and watch the bands they’re sharing a bill with. Bands that tell their fans to leave after they’ve finished playing. Bands that can’t even acknowledge the bands they’re sharing a stage with, let alone the venue, the bartenders, the sound guy or the wait staff or even the people that have come out, forked over cover, to hear them.
Bands that I see rip posters down of the bands they don’t like. Bands that don’t load in on time, get shitfaced before their set, and yes, bands that expect me to pay for their parking and/or parking tickets. Bands that leave hateful voice mail, hateful comments, hateful email when they get a bad review or no review at all. Bands that want to put 50 people on the guest list and then wonder why their take wasn’t bigger because, “We, like, brought in 50 people.”
Bands that want to have their CD release party and give away CDs at the door with paid cover and then later try to bill me for the CDs they gave away. Bands that can’t even say hello or thank you. Bands that do stick around, but only to loudly bad-mouth the band that’s on stage.
As for the ‘supposed’ music fans…I’m talking about the folks who say all local bands are shit. How the hell would you know? You’re so convinced that Deep Ellum and venues like Dada are in the toilet you don’t even bother to venture out.
The fans who say it’s always the same bands or music obviously aren’t paying attention. The fans who only show up to see their friends and leave without even bothering to see what happens next. And don’t give me that piddly crap about five bucks cover…anyone that knows me knows that if you show up at one of my shows and just can’t fork it over, ask for me at the door and I’ll take five bucks out of my own pocket, just so you can hear something new.
And worst of all, the fans and bands that say nobody cares about the scene or the music or the community, or worse that it’s ‘dead.’
To those of you, I say this:
Don’t you realize that every time you say nobody cares, nobody is trying to do anything about it, nobody gives a shit, you’re making it twice as hard for the people who ARE caring and trying to make a difference to succeed?
SamRed always tried to tell me that I take this stuff way too personally, but I think that’s the problem. Not enough people ARE talking it personally enough to even do something about it.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Gonna repeat myself from “sucky news” comments:
RE: “the scene”
You know, there are quite a few good shows this week. How’s about everyone head out and see a show and support a band/local venue sometime between now and Sunday? Maybe even buy some merch and tip the bartender. Oh, and Friday is pay day!
I bet Cindy and Amanda will tell us who’s where when…
August 30th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Cindy and Amanda, you two kick ass. Please keep caring for those of us who do care.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
“music critics DO NOT and SHOULD NOT have any working relationships w/local musicians and/or rival blogs or publications.”
Um, do you not remember Zac Crain and Josh Venable being the best pals around? Besides, I don’t have any working relationships with anybody else, anyway. I don’t have friends ’round here. Really.
And Cindy, giving this guy’s post so much credit is a little disappointing. Anyone who really thinks the Observer impacts the attendance of a particular show should go out to the shows it touts and the shows it ignores; often, a show that isn’t mentioned at all winds up packed, and the ones with huge recommendations are too often barren. Take my endless babble about local hip-hop…I go to as many Final Friday shows as I can, along with other well-publicized hip-hop shows, and the core audience is usually the same core group of friends of the hip-hop acts. I’ve slapped the city with accolades about local hip-hop time and time again, and I know the futility of my recommendations first-hand.
If you’ve REALLY been around the scene as day-to-day as you say, then you’d know how wrong you really were about my having an impact on your job. This just takes us back to the never-ending “what’s wrong with the scene” discussion…which I talk about in my goodbye column, on newsstands in the next, um, 30 seconds.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
To Strident Zend: my Lord do you have that wrong. I appreciate your zeal, though.
New Rule #1: know what you’re talking about.
August 30th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Dear SamRed…
to quote you from your final article…
“noble efforts are worth the pitfalls.”
Amen, Sam. Amen.
August 30th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Dear DCon…
see the above declaration of “Amen-ing”
August 30th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
yo, shut it! sam was fired for snapping the validity of his position as music editor. music critics DO NOT and SHOULD NOT have any working relationships w/local musicians and/or rival blogs or publications. it’s called a conflict of interest, and it’s rule #1. is it any wonder you guys are crying so loudly! not that you were the only ones. not by a long shot.
Just to reiterate what Sam already said, Zac and Josh and MANY bands back a couple of years ago had very close relationship. Wilonsky was likely the same way. Hepola too, to some degree. I think it’s not possible to be completely divorced from the scene itself and yet cover it.
But yeah, having been a small part of that group, everybody was really buddy buddy. Do I think that maybe some of those buddy buddy bands got more coverage because they were all friends? Probably. Do I think those bands didn’t deserve the coverage? Not really. Do I think there were other bands in Dallas at the time going ignored that shouldn’t have? MOST DEFINITELY.
August 30th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
My first ever month in the “scene” was awful. You know why? Local bands. Not all of them, but a large enough percentage that its left a lasting impression.
Having done booking, I can relate to this. A lot of bands have very unrealistic expectations, like people in general. I think what you were proposing to do is very noble, but you at least owe yourself a cut of the door.
August 30th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Oh for the luv of gawd, there is no possible way to not have a relationship of sorts with bands and whomever else if you are a music critic, REALLY interested enough in the scenet to be out and about at shows. Plus, local non-profit blogs such as The Fine Line, We Shot JR, IndieInterviews, WeeDemon, Gorilla vs Bear, Pimplomat, Theme Park Experience…yada yada…are not “competition” with anyone or any publication. It’s a bunch of folks expressing their own ideas and opinions for no other reason than it’s something they/we want to do.
Sam, I wasn’t giving credit to all the post stated, more just some of the observations:
…Radio has never cared about the music that is played, they only care about the advertising they can sell. MTV has never cared what style the music was, or the message being spread, just how much revenue in ads it can produce. And clubs and promoters ultimately don’t really care what bands play, they care about selling alcohol and tickets. And the majority of professional acts don’t care who pays them, as long as they get paid. Sad fact of life, not very inspiring, but that’s the way it is. And if everybody in this town continues to have a stick up their asses about showbiz reality, there won’t be anyplace left for your fledgling band to play. It will all go away. So get your bags and start headin for San Fran, or NY, cause the scene here is being destroyed by arrogance and apathy. Everybody in this town acts like they are immediate stars simply because they shopped at Buffalo Exchange and Urban Outfitters. Not everybody can only play on the weekends. And NO club in this town has a built in draw anymore. Not enough people to sustain it. Bills are really high in case you haven’t noticed. Can you imagine how much it costs just for electricity in most of the clubs in this town? Everybody acts like the clubs are their rich friends dad’s house. They are not. If you don’t spend money, the clubs will go away. It’s up to your band to try to inspire friends to see you, and to work hard to get on bills that complement your music with someboy who draws more than you. (Perhaps I will start a blog pointing out facts of life about any music scene. I’ll let ya know. )
Granted Deep Ellum has taken a large kick in the ass in the last two years. It’s unfortunate for me to see, because when I was the age of most of the local bands now, there were NO places to play. Deep Ellum started out as a place where kids could get together and create something new. It’s really a shame to see this new generation just kick it to the curb. You will regret it eventually…
Plus I find interest in what sound guys (and gals) have to say from there perspective. Like I said on the post, I think clubs and bands should start asking the folks in attendance to tell them why they are at the show, where they heard or read about it, what their experiences are like. Accomodate and express an interest in the paying customers/fans who DO show up at shows, rather than bitching about all the people who are NOT at the shows.
August 30th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
fair nuff.
August 30th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Cindy, I think it’s safe to assume that most people find out about shows through Myspace and blogs. At least thats been my experience as both a band member and a booking agent. Sams right when he says “a show that isn’t mentioned at all winds up packed”. Most of my events nary saw the light of day in print at the Observer and they were still well attended. So while I agree with the post you highlighted by the sound engineer I also agree that it has a lot to do with bands and promoters assuming responsibility for their own turnouts. Less negativity and more productivity.
August 30th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Regarding Cindy’s post on Sam tirelessly being at the shows supporting, wasn’t that what he was paid to do? It was his job. Let’s see if he’s still out there now.
August 30th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Molly: no, that’s not his job. His job is to run a section at a weekly newspaper, to edit. That section was about music. So, Sam went to shows and listened to music, found writers who went to shows and listened to music and coordinated freelancers who went to shows and listened to music. And then was in the office everyday trying to pull it all together.
Your dismissal of Sam’s efforts is similar to saying, “So what if Lance Armstrong trained for 16 hours a day to return to shape after having testicular cancer? Isn’t it his job to train?” In a sense, you’re right, but we also all know you’re wrong.
That Sam was out as much as he was is a real testament to how much he loved the scene, and yes, the job. And I would bet he’ll still be out there much more than most.
One thing: you’ll notice (maybe) that I’m replying solely to posts that, in my estimation, have their facts wrong about the responsibilities or facets of Sam’s job. I’ll let the differences of opinion go, because that’s what they are – opinions – and I’ve had more than my share of differences with goddamn just about everyone. But please have the courtesy to know what you’re talking about. If you’d like, I’ll see if I can arrange a meeting with you, Wilonsky, Zac, Sam and Sarah on the phone to discuss what it really, really, truly means to be the Dallas Observer Music Editor. I can pretty much predict that you’ll find it’s exhausting, it’s violently polarizing, it’s demoralizing and it’s underpaid. And then, when you get fired, you have to endure this sort of shit. Man, sign me up.
August 30th, 2006 at 5:28 pm
Molly…dear…Sam was at a show last night, just shortly after he told me the news. It’s the “job” of a lot of local revenue generating music websites/publications to be out at shows, but they aren’t. The rest of what I have to say was said by DCon…
August 30th, 2006 at 7:36 pm
I knew Sam from shows way before he was working for the Observer…
August 30th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Cindy,
if there is anything that I can honestly say I detest about the Dallas ‘scene’ , it’s this wannabe hipster cool insularity that makes me sick to my stomach.
If I hear or read one more snide comment from someone about a local band simply because that person doesn’t care for that genre of music, I honest to God think I’ll wretch.
Keep up the great work
August 30th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
SamM said,
And Cindy, giving this guy’s post so much credit is a little disappointing. Anyone who really thinks the Observer impacts the attendance of a particular show should go out to the shows it touts and the shows it ignores; often, a show that isn’t mentioned at all winds up packed, and the ones with huge recommendations are too often barren. Take my endless babble about local hip-hop…I go to as many Final Friday shows as I can, along with other well-publicized hip-hop shows, and the core audience is usually the same core group of friends of the hip-hop acts. I’ve slapped the city with accolades about local hip-hop time and time again, and I know the futility of my recommendations first-hand.
That is not the issue. Evangelism is always an uphill battle. People respond readily to negativity though. That was the issue. When you directly attack certain clubs, and we both know which one I am referring to in this case, it has a direct and quick response. Negative press, especially when times are tough, are poison pens. Venomous attacks and continued baiting are worse still. It may very well have set in motion the closing of a landmark of this city’s musical history. It is very discouraging and disappointing to me, and if you knew my background, and how much I have given of my meager talents to this scene, you might have a less snarky attitude. It’s very depressing to work so hard, endure so much, to have somebody randomly tear it apart in an unprovoked, and in the case of that particular rant, uninformed diatribe. I still have no idea why you vented the way you did. I assume you were responding to issues with the booking, but it affected everybody there and really demoralized a struggling group of great people. Do I take it personally, no Sam I don’t. But it has significantly affected business rather you care to admit it or not. I have seen and heard the fallout firsthand.
Now, before all the conspiracies abound, do I think this played any part in your dismissal? No not ultimately. It never has in the past with your predecessors. I know that it may be a partial part of the complaints, but the issues with CC and the Observer are long standing, and before your tenure. The fact that they are not advertising is merely a coincidence of timing in regards to your unfortunate dismissal.
I would like to thank Cindy for appreciating my comments enough to highlight. I was not expecting that, and am flattered that my words were considered. I also want to thank Amanda Newman for her wise revelations in her post above. She speaks the truth.
(phew I can type when I get going..sorry. I had no idea I had so much to say. Bear with me a bit more.)
I won’t disparage Sams columns for what he wrote. I believe he attended all the shows that he liked and supported. My only point was, there is more to the local music scene than the limited genre that he enjoys. That is all. We all know that you cannot make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time. I would have liked to have seen a more open minded approach to the realities of the total music scene, and less dogging on everybody who doesn’t live up to the indie cred. South FM is a great band. May not be your style of music, but they are great at what they do, and they are genuine in their pursuit of their brand of music. Drowning Pool are great at what they do, and yes, some people even care about Strangleweed. Belefonte..well that’s another story..
Sam, if you would like to run sound for some bands sometime..let me know.
I think I could really use a break, and it might help you grow musically a bit as well. At the very least, it may give you a different perspective as to really being hated. 
Thanks again to Cindy and Amanda for this great blog, and allowing me to have a voice!
August 30th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
Johnny LR: quit taking our phone conversations and posting them as your own original thoughts. With that said, call me later so that I can tell you my latest theory on how NASA faked the moon landing so that you can post it on retarded-ass-conspiracy-theories.blogspot.com
August 30th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
By the way, I really miss the Met about now.
August 30th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
Very thoughtful final column Sam. Nice classy end. Best wishes. As a parent of one of those teen age musicians, I have to say, I agree with you.
bill
“Most important, it will take an extended hand toward the kids, the high schoolers who want the same thing I found when I fell in love with this city’s music scene. More all-ages shows that aren’t cluttered with their friends’ bands. More access for kids on early Wednesday and Thursday night gigs. More chances for teens and underagers to meet our city’s huge rock stars, from the Theater Fire to Bosque Brown, from Current Leaves to Money Waters, from PPT (congrats on signing to Idol Records, guys!) to Red Monroe…and on and on (see below for more).”
August 30th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
hey Paddyshack,
you know I will give you the reach around later so just calm down bro.
hahah.
See you poolside on saturday… biotch!
August 30th, 2006 at 10:53 pm
You are sick, dude. Sick. Don’t use my pet name on blogs, sweet cheeks.
August 31st, 2006 at 1:16 am
Critic =
1 a : one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique. b : one who engages often professionally in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances.
2 : one given to harsh or captious judgment.
Sorry for the cheesy dictionary intro, but you see where I’m going with this? Sam was a true critic. He knew his opinion, he was unafraid to write it. Not just to say it, in a bar, to his friends, but to write it, every week, on a deadline, with a staff to lead as well. He said his piece in a paper he knew everyone he met could read. He wrote in non-retractable, undeletable ink. That young man has cajones.
Sam was unwavering in supporting what he saw as good (Bosque Brown, Theater Fire, Red Monroe) and merciless in tearing down what he saw as bad (Black Eyed Peas, Deaf Pedestrians, the Dallas Music Festival). Did I agree with him, always? No. Did I faithfully read what he wrote and decide for myself? Absolutely yes. He did exactly what a critic should do: he inspired additional critical thought.
Sam was who he was on the page. He was honest in his views and he cared. He hoped to effect change in the scene that inspired him. I respect him because he knew his own mind and didn’t much care what others thought of his opinion. My guess is that he didn’t much care what they thought at the Observer, either. He wrote what he felt needed to be covered, needed to be heard, needed to be talked about in the Dallas scene. He pissed people off. Apparently, at least one of those people held his pink slip.
Sam- my best to you and good luck. I’ll say it again: I’ll miss your voice in the scene.
August 31st, 2006 at 1:23 am
Oh, and Cindy…
how many bazillion comments on this thread here, and how many “there”? One.
’nuff said. Ain’t nobody firing you! (with apologies to Sam)
August 31st, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Sweet Swan Song Sam!
(try saying that three times fast)
August 31st, 2006 at 5:59 pm
To say or suggest that Sam might have been responsible for Deep Ellums troubles because he wrote negative, yet truthful, things about some of the clubs and venues is a joke. Why Trees closed, Dada closed and why Curtain Club, Liquid Lounge and Clearview still suck is the strength of booking and affordable prices. Also add that in to the fact that Deep Ellum is not a fun or safe pplace anymore. I don’t personally go to those venues because they book bands that I have no interest in.
This city’s best bands and artists found out long ago that they could succeed without Deep Ellum and they have done well so far.
IMO, the real shit is going down at the Cavern, Doublewide, Darkside, a few other places around town and then of course Denton which is getting a huge portion of the best touring acts lately.
Certainly I’m biased… I’m into the indie/experimental thing mostly (which covers quite a bit of ground here in North Texas) and besides the great hip-hop scene, everything else seems tired and bankrupt.
Everyone is going to continue to argue and everyone has their safety zones and the places they like to haunt and the music they want to see. That will never change. To say that people should get off their high horse and go see some hard rock or emo show even though they hate that kind of music is just naive. You get new people to go out to shows by giving them a good product in a cool environment.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:59 pm
try “canned sam”
(don’t look at me, cari came up with it)
August 31st, 2006 at 6:48 pm
bwahahaha! nice.
did y’all read his blog? Uganda. Love it. Far be it for Sam to go for anything mainstream.