Thursday

02011-01-06 | Uncategorized | 14 comments

Nikola Tamindzic on Tumblr. | There will be blood
There will be NO free downloads, there will be NO bonus tracks, there will be NO remixes, there will be NO hidden footage, there will be NO additional content, there will be NO corporate partners, there will be NO fashion lines, there will be NO tabloid pictures, there will be NO £25 unit cost, there will be NO street team, there will be NO Myspace, there will be NO celeb producer, there will be NO Twitter, there will be NO press/blogger gig, there will be NO acoustic session, there will be NO meet and greet, there will be NO edited version, there will be NO iTunes only, there will be NO press launch, there will be NO Asian version, there will be NO radio friendly.
— Geoff Barrow, hinting at Portishead’s new record

That sounds like a manifesto, doesn’t it? It reminds Jon of “The revolution will not be televised”, Gil Scott-Heron‘s great rap.

The frost covered eyelashes of a horse (photo)

47th annual New Year calligraphy contest in Tokyo (photo)

14 Comments

  1. Steve(Brokerbiker)

    Yes, there are days that I wish to proclaim such a manifesto to my Clients and then I quickly remember that I serve at their discretion. It isn’t income that motivates me, but rather employing my talents to make others’ lives easier/better. I would add there will be NO Portishead for me.

    Reply
  2. Ottmar

    I like some of Portishead. I do like the manifesto, and so does every musician I have shown that to. He does not write that he doesn’t appreciate fans. He says he won’t play games. That’s all.

    I am tired of those games and I am tired of giving away stuff for free. I don’t think it makes any difference anyway. Sales are not higher with a free track or this or that gimmick. I will concentrate on making the best album I can and then people will buy it or not. Musicians have bent over backwards in the last ten years to get people to buy albums. Free torrents of my albums have grown nearly five-fold, from 11,000 a year ago to now over 51,000.

    I especially like “there will be NO corporate partners, there will be NO fashion lines, there will be NO tabloid pictures”! Because that’s the OTHER side of free stuff. The corporate linkups, the sponsors. There ain’t nothing free. If it seems free, like Facebook or Gmail, it’s because they sell your data.

    From me you will get honest music for a good price, no hidden anything. I get laugh out of all the new “media experts” (same people who were the old “media experts”, but after an internet crash course) who tell musicians how they have to be available on all social networks. Nonsense, make good recordings and work on a good live show.

    Reply
  3. Steve(Brokerbiker)

    Ahh, I do now understand this position so much better from your perspective as a performing artist/musician. Industry has so compromised your art…I have always gratefully paid for every bit of content I have ever ‘consumed’ that I overlook all the ‘requirements’ imposed on the artists ‘to compete’ and please the corporate authorities. I think the only charge I have ever taken exception to is the ‘above face’ price charged by the ticket agencies to obtain a preferred seat at a show, knowing the artist doesn’t receive the overcharge.
    An elderly Client of mine from Weisbaden visited with me today, and remarked how greatly she appreciated our weather in the Texas Hill Country compared to the harsh winter so far in Germany. She particularly is fond of Boerne as we have the second oldest German band in the world.

    Reply
  4. Ottmar

    “She particularly is fond of Boerne as we have the second oldest German band in the world.”

    What is Boerne and what does that mean “second oldest German band”?

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  5. Steve(Brokerbiker)

    Ottmar- Boerne is the small town I live and work in (I’m very blessed). It is about 30 miles Northwest of San Antonio, TX and has been mostly unspoiled by urban growth. Many rural roads for bike riding, and trails for mountain biking. The Boerne Village Band is 150+ years old and annually tours germany, Austria, etc. Boerne is named for Ludwig von Borne.

    Reply
  6. Steve(Brokerbiker)

    Borne came to be spelled in Boerne in America as printers placed a letter e after a vowel with an umlaut when there weren’t umlauts available for the printing presses. It became pronounced ‘Bernie’ as an anglicization. von Borne was widely read by Freethinkers as he was very critical of then-day Germany. This are was settled by Freethinker immigrants…now, unfortunately, it is about 97% Republican…

    Reply
  7. Ottmar

    Thanks for the explanation. Your last sentence proves that one cannot trust a name. :-)

    Reply
  8. Steve(Brokerbiker)

    Yes, my Clients know not to discuss politics, philosphy, etc with me…

    Reply
  9. Steve(Brokerbiker)

    My spelling is ok, typing not so hot… I have the Jesuits to blame for that, as they didn’t teach typing at a college prep in the 70s…go figure. No one could foresse computers’ role in the world back then. They did teach me how to think and study though, and imparted “Men for Others” philosophy

    Reply
  10. Carol Anderson

    I’m glad I wasn’t atalked into getting rid of all my wonderful vinyls. I would keep them if only for the artwork, but when you gave me Vinyl with Spanish Steps ,and Havana Club, I got the turntable needed. I’m hoping you gave it to me because you like me not because you expected something from me. I’ll ignore your statement “I am tired of those games and I am tired of giving away stuff for free. I don’t think it makes any difference anyway. Sales are not higher with a free track or this or that gimmick.”
    because I love you no matter what. Do what makes you happy and we, your friends, will be happy.

    Reply
  11. Luz

    @Steve: I’ve lived in Texas my whole life but regretably have never visited Boerne but have heard great things about it. Thinking over Spring Break, it might be a good time to visit and check out some of those bike trails you mentioned.

    Reply
  12. Gerry

    It’s great to hear that your enjoying Portishead the other side of the pond. Well said Ottmar – let’s concentrate on the music and forget all the other bulls**t.

    Reply
  13. dave

    I’ll have to check out that Portishead album when it comes out.

    Reply

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