I want to write an article. Every time I come in with a new idea, I will use the line, "And, in another of my opinions", then I will proceed to state my opinion as absolute fact,and make it clear that anyone who disagrees with me is a big poopie head. Then I will talk about how it's all cool, and I am just sharing my opinion and am totally cool with people having different opinions. I might restate how everyone else is an idiot at the end of the article.
That would be awesome.
^ ^ ^
BIG poopie head!
Steve F.
www.waysidemusic.com
www.cuneiformrecords.com
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“Remember, if it doesn't say "Cuneiform," it's not prog!” - THE Jed Levin
Any time any one speaks to me about any musical project, the one absolute given is "it will not make big money". [tip of the hat to HK]
"Death to false 'support the scene' prog!"
please add 'imo' wherever you like, to avoid offending those easily offended.
I might have picked: Frank Zappa, whom I assume was already taken or Tangerine Dream, ditto.
So maybe Harold Budd or Terry Riley. Who would you have picked
Yeah, I'll have to look for it at the Barnes and Nobles.
I'd quite like to see a cd from Prog devoted to tribute bands. I guess these bands don't have albums to promote though and so they'd not want to stump up the cash.
And before one of the wags around here tells me, yes I know that I could go and get an a recent album by Yes!
I think it's pretty great that after all these years we've got the one British magazine (Prog) and one American one (Progression) left-albeit way less often produced.
I agree with the praise above and I'd say I have my own complicated "issues" with Prog Magazine.
PLUSES:
1. Looks great!
2. Consistently produced. It comes out monthly without fail.
3. The cover mount CD-although almost "proudly" not listened to by loads of prog fans-is a nice touch
4. Well written
MINUSES (but understood)
1. Covers and features are always the same 10-15 artists/bands
2. Expensive in the US-although you have digital and it's much cheaper to subscribe
MINUSES (I don't get it)
1. The UK focus. Ok it's a UK magazine, but Prog is a tiny faction of the worldwide music listening public and via social media there is very little regard to where a fan actually lives. Just look at PE. Anyway, to focus on the UK (albeit the country where we got our biggest Prog bands from) and Europe (to some extent)-as much as they do with their coverage of festivals and bands-is really leaving out a lot of audience. Maybe they think Progression is "doing that" but I just think it's more that they're not opening their eyes to what's going on across the pond or maybe they have proof that covering US stuff doesn't "sell"?
2. Advertising expensive. I spent a small fortune on both print and cover mount CD inclusion and I don't think we gained many fans from it.
3. Getting reviewed in the magazine is what I would call a "crap-shoot" for bands. Almost as bad as trying to get your band considered for Cruise To The Edge. We got our 2012 album reviewed by a stroke of luck I guess. Then our "higher profile" 2015 album that came out on a label and was getting amazing press wasn't even reviewed at all EVEN THOUGH we played 4 shows in England and Wales later that year. Then, we spent some good money in 2018 to promote our album that year and once again did not get reviewed but got an "if you missed it" minuscule review once I made a tiny stink about it to their advertising rep. I know of another American band that spend probably twice as much as me the last few years and they got reviewed and got a feature story as well so...
I love Prog Magazine and we should all feel very fortunate that our tiny little community has such a publication!!! That being said, it is a business. They have bills to pay.
I had a Twitter conversation with Jerry Ewing about the same 10-15 artists gracing the cover over and over. I told him I thought Neal Morse should be on there. He said that would never happen as the issue would not sell - and he's probably right.
The Prog Corner
Hurtleturtled Out of Heaven - an electronic music composition, on CD and vinyl
https://michaelpdawson.bandcamp.com
http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Pr...MCD-spc-7.aspx
I am with you on the UK/European-bias.
I suppose they have a valid reason to not feature as many obscure bands because they can't afford to lose money.
But I guess I find myself in no-man's land looking for a magazine that covers my taste (which I guess is MY issue, not theirs).
Why I have my blog I guess.
I've likely shared this YouTube RANT before around here, but I suppose it's worth doing so again.
Where Are They Now? Yes news: http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/wh_now.htm
Blogdegezou, the accompanying blog: http://bondegezou.blogspot.com/
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