I really enjoyed your blog post about this band. You covered every detail of their "up-and-comings" pretty well. I love how you listed other artists of our day to draw the reader in and allow he or she to identify more with The Velvets than one might at first introduction. I didn't even know that some of these great artists consider this group to be of any contribution at all to their amazing sound!
In reading your last paragraph, I have to say, I was a bit shocked. I think it's fantastic that you voiced this opinion about them, no matter how negative. One of the things that make blogs so great in the world today is its empowerment to say what we truly want to convey, as opposed to what is expected. (I truly wasn't expecting to see anyone downing this group so harshly.)
One thing that I hope everyone who studies them can see, is the impact that the subject matter of these songs had on the music of their time and since then. Whether the music was good or bad, in a way doesn't really matter as much to me... as what they were singing about. They sang about some of the areas of our depravity and the human condition that so many artists until then avoided putting into song. As such, it is interesting that the reason for their poor success is also the very reason for their claim to fame today.
Great comments! I didn’t really think about their early work quite the same way as you did. You are definitely right though. Their early work was still in the baby stages of electronic music altogether… there wasn’t any real, solid, way of doing it, I guess. Experimentation was key. I know that when I use a new virtual instrument, I wait until I feel confident about using it (usually) before I make an entire song for other people to listen to, utilizing that instrument. (Probably explains why I don’t have more than a few albums to my name.)
Kraftwerk was one of the headliners at the 2012 Ultimate Music Festival in Miami in March. Still going strong after over 40 years! Performing along side all the greats in electronic music of today. That is a true testament to their power and influence in the industry.
If you haven’t already, you should check out their website. http://www.kraftwerk.com/
Well said, Shane. Armin Van Buuren's work has truly been amazing. It has been said that his "Blue Fear" track was the very mould for the Trance genre of music that so many of us know and love. His signature sound is one that will probably, forever permeate, trance and its many sprouts.
I didn't know about that was how he got started creating electronic music, though... that's good to know.
He claims to have been inspired a lot by innovators like Paul Oakenfold back in the early 1980's. One can definitely hear that influence.
I really enjoyed your blog post about this band. You covered every detail of their "up-and-comings" pretty well. I love how you listed other artists of our day to draw the reader in and allow he or she to identify more with The Velvets than one might at first introduction. I didn't even know that some of these great artists consider this group to be of any contribution at all to their amazing sound!
ReplyDeleteIn reading your last paragraph, I have to say, I was a bit shocked. I think it's fantastic that you voiced this opinion about them, no matter how negative. One of the things that make blogs so great in the world today is its empowerment to say what we truly want to convey, as opposed to what is expected. (I truly wasn't expecting to see anyone downing this group so harshly.)
One thing that I hope everyone who studies them can see, is the impact that the subject matter of these songs had on the music of their time and since then. Whether the music was good or bad, in a way doesn't really matter as much to me... as what they were singing about. They sang about some of the areas of our depravity and the human condition that so many artists until then avoided putting into song. As such, it is interesting that the reason for their poor success is also the very reason for their claim to fame today.
Shane Engelsen
ReplyDeleteGreat comments! I didn’t really think about their early work quite the same way as you did. You are definitely right though. Their early work was still in the baby stages of electronic music altogether… there wasn’t any real, solid, way of doing it, I guess. Experimentation was key. I know that when I use a new virtual instrument, I wait until I feel confident about using it (usually) before I make an entire song for other people to listen to, utilizing that instrument. (Probably explains why I don’t have more than a few albums to my name.)
Kraftwerk was one of the headliners at the 2012 Ultimate Music Festival in Miami in March. Still going strong after over 40 years! Performing along side all the greats in electronic music of today. That is a true testament to their power and influence in the industry.
If you haven’t already, you should check out their website. http://www.kraftwerk.com/
Shane Engelsen
ReplyDeleteWell said, Shane. Armin Van Buuren's work has truly been amazing. It has been said that his "Blue Fear" track was the very mould for the Trance genre of music that so many of us know and love. His signature sound is one that will probably, forever permeate, trance and its many sprouts.
I didn't know about that was how he got started creating electronic music, though... that's good to know.
He claims to have been inspired a lot by innovators like Paul Oakenfold back in the early 1980's. One can definitely hear that influence.
Thanks again for this post. It was a good read.