we’ve all heard that dumb term. “singer-songwriter.” can it be any more vague? this is how i’m forced to describe myself when someone asks at some party, “ohhhh! so you’re a musicccian! what instrument do you plaaayyy? what kind of music do you doooo?”
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on one hand, it leaves absolutely everything to the imagination. it can mean any number of things, since anyone who writes a song and then sings it, could then be considered a singer-songwriter. it doesn’t matter if you make r&b, power-pop, punk, or industrial grindthrashcxre. now that i think about it, this is a term that should be celebrated for its diversity.
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instead, however, anytime you mention the words “singer” and “songwriter” in the same sentence, people automatically raise a leery eyebrow and assume some stereotype of beatniks singing self-indulgent lyrics in a coffeehouse. if you’re a girl and play guitar, there’s usually some variation of ani difranco involved, as well.
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what’s the deal, people? is it just the human mind’s tendency to categorize things? well the stereotypes are damn annoying. i feel like folks are stuck in the 1990’s version of the wikipedia page i just posted above.
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maybe it’s because we haven’t had a very strong movement of them since the 90’s? oh sure, everybody just can’t get enough of little darling regina spektor. and feist is rather fetching. but a whole movement? a woodstock? a lilith fair? hasn’t transpired in awhile.
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i think people’s opinions haven’t changed because there’s nothing fresh on their mind. but not for lack of trying. i won’t deny that there’s there’s totally goings on in the realm of independent/ d.i.y. musicians. for instance, in brooklyn there’s jezebel, and local correspondents. both are vehicles specifically designed for singer-songwriters. they find artists they like and promote them for FREE. this is huge, even though i, myself haven’t magaged to wrangle their attentions.
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also i hear in l.a. the whole hotel cafe scene is buzzing. from what i gather, it’s a venue that picks out high-quality performers, many who are on the path of successful careers, whose music has been featured on television shows and commercials. they even have a national tour which, based on its amount of sold out shows, has proven to be popular.
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another trend is the tons of little apartment venues that are are opening up. the words out: people are sick of going to some gross dive bar in manhattan, to pay a $15 cover, buy a $5 pbr, then waiting it out through some shitty band on a shitty sound system, just to see your friends perform for like 20 minutes, while rude drunks talk through their songs. (i have had experiences like this as both a performer and a spectator.) why do that when you can go to a friend’s house, pay a $3-$5 cover, buy a $2 beer or bring your own, and see an amazing show in an authentic, intimate environment?
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to my knowlege, in my neighborhood alone theres brooklyn cat house, brooklyn tea party, john bosch, market hotel, and silent barn. in fact, it’s occurring all across america, and doesn’t only benefit the singer-songwriter, but anyone who desires to be heard, and does not desire to go through traditional venues. places like these help out the musician/ band who has no other outlet.
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new music is leaking out the cracks everywhere. and i think that’s totally awesome and beneficial. but still — it’s no mainstream movement… yet. i sort of think a new one’s just around the corner. what evidence to i have to back that claim up? none, really. just a hunch. and the knowledge that the frilly, escapist music of recent times has worn out its welcome, and something has got fill its place sooner or later.
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then again, maybe we don’t want another mainstream movement. maybe singer-songwriters are fine just the way they are now, thankyouverymuch, with thier indie-ness and d.i.y. ethics. but darnitt, it would sure give the image of one a makeover, and then people at parties would be more convenient for me to conversate with.
