The following blogs were extracted from the SonicBids Forum, written by Richard Connor.
Richard Connor explains the history and future of folk rock music.
Excellent summation on Folk Rock, Tom
That makes a lot of sense. Folk evolved into folk rock, then into rock.
Sometimes it is hard to tell who is leading the future of music. When artists/producers were seeking to control the future, or present, the circumstances of the day probably were the main catalyst for the emerging styles.
Now that accountants and attorneys are controlling the music business, the future is limited and expanded to what is profitable.
So, accepting the entertainment dictatorships, it would seem that only if folk rock can be profitable will it have an opportunity to reemerge. This has my mind tumbling with ideas, but I'm not part of the music aristocracy...
However, with the advent of the internet and home studios, it does seem possible that the artists and producers, like myself, have a renewed power to ignore the mainstream and reach the masses despite the major labels.
Which brings me back to radio. How can a small indie label impact mainstream radio? Maybe not. However, I'm not much of a radio listener, and my fans tell me of many stations that hunger for new directions. I have allowed CDbaby to submit American Zen's first album to everywhere, paid and unpaid -- and not noticed any results. I'm not sure what's going on in radio these days.
As for touring. Perhaps it's my Kung Fu training, study of the asian classics, and passion for samurai movies that leads me to believe in conquering territories... I'm not sure if that's going to be feasible without a lot of support, just like any army.
With the Vietnam war, a common thread connected many artists and the audience in a manner that doesn't exist today. I was a part of the "don't trust anyone over 30" culture and that alone seemed to bind many of us together. Despite our current wars, and planet problems, it has all just become another segment of the news to most of us.
I've gone from activist - to concerned - to aware - to having a family and wanting my own personal space and privacy. This may be a natural evolution for all persons. So getting anyone interested means they have to have nothing to lose?
Ooh. Too heavy. But you are inspiring me to see the music industry as a personification of personal evolution.
So, with all that in mind, I'm not giving up, just looking for a realistic path that will succeed to a level I can be content with.
I've tried appealing to the babyboomers and realized they are now, "over 30," despite their past ideologies. Unfortunately, the new generations of youths have surprised me with their inconsistent and decadent themes since the sixties: death metal, goth, grunge, punk, have become 'styles' of music that artists imitate rather than invent.
That has been my concern also. I don't want artists to try to sound like The Byrds, I want to find artists that just 'need to' sound like The Byrds.
Despite all my words of wisdom, I am pursuing my soul more than my business. I just want to have some goals I can share and use to unite others with. My need to make a profit has been minimal, but I've paid a price for my peace of mind and contentment. I lack power and influence.
With my three ventures:
1. Folk Rock Podcast of Shaolin Records
http://folkrockpodcast.libsyn.com
2. CaliforniaFolkRock.com
http://www.californiafolkrock.com
3. American Zen
http://www.americanZEN.org
I am hoping to:
1. Help and support other folk rock artists
2. Create a network for the benefit of American Zen and others
3. Follow my path
Now that I've created my own record label, Shaolin Records, become the producer of American Zen, and decided that international fame is necessary to my goals, I still want to innocently achieve financial success without thinking like the majors.
I appreciate the help and support of my fellow hippies, of all ages.
Sincerely,
Richard Connor
Last Edited: Oct 29, 2007 2:16 PM By: RichardConnor
RE:Reinventing the FOLK ROCK label-genre
Yep. Pigeonholing and cataloging has always worked against me, because I'm a renaissance man. Evertime I win a fan in one genre, I alienate them when I go to another...
I used to work as a photographer for the record labels--so that meant I couldn't possibly be a record producer also.
"Folk Rock" was known but slightly ambiguous to myself when I started this FOLK ROCK PODCAST in 2007. From the blogs and comments and message board replies, such as yours, I've been able to fine-tune my perspectives and finally define folk rock.
I've laid out an explanation with examples in our OPPORTUNITY LISTING: http://www.sonicbids.com/Opportunity/OpportunityView.aspx?opportunity_id=11468
However, with comments like yours and previous comments by "Tom," who has been very helpful and informative, I've come up with this succinct definition for folk rock:
1. It takes more than a song to define a folk rock artist
2. The range of songs, per album, must include some "folk"
3. The range of songs, per album, must include some "rock"
4. The range of songs, per album, must include some "folk rock" which is a combination of folk instruments and rock... (synthesizer is not a folk instrument -- even if you're playing acoustic guitar samples)
5. NOW, the kicker, they have to have something to say
a. more than self-indulgent observations
b. express a desire to improve the world, or someone
Then, for my approval, it has to be good music.
I should send an email out this month, a "Happy Holidays" to all who submitted their bands to the FOLK ROCK PODCAST OF SHAOLIN RECORDS.
Unfortunately, I passed out many rejection letters. Most people should have expected them, because they weren't even close to being folk rock artists. Some were close to being folk rock artists, but it takes more than 9 folk songs and a rock'n'roll song to equal Folk Rock Artist.
Some artists were not ready for commercial release. These were few in number. It would appear that sonicbids.com does manage to weed out some of the civilians who are dreaming beyond their abilities.
Mostly though, I'd like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to check them out. Some artists who didn't fit the folk rock genre, were very talented and deserving radio play or a record deal.
Back to our conversation. I will make a "thank you" blog entry later.
The previous MESSAGE mentioned, why don't I just use an existing genre. I tried.
FOLK genre has already scared off anyone looking for folk ROCK. They aren't going to dig through FOLK music looking for something that rocks.
ROCK genre usually has the FOLK-ROCK subgenre. This is probably the best place for it. Unfortunately, "Folk-Rock," or "Folk/Rock," or "Folk Rock," does not always exist or as at iTUNES, they have both spellings to choose from: "Folk-Rock" or "Folk/Rock." So when I choose one, I realize I've lost all the people who search down the other spelling path.
ACOUSTIC genre replaced the "UNPLUGGED" genre. This is okay, but once again, this may not inspire people to dig deeper for something that rocks.
ROCK music is such a huge genre, that it requires subgenres, but ACOUSTIC-ROCK, may work as well as FOLK ROCK, but now we get to my "kicker," that protest/improve/save the world aspect that Folk Rock got saddled with in the sixties. That is why folk rock died.
Record companies are successful at immitating the successes of other artists, but never motivating their artists to be different or pursue unpopular world-saving concepts.
Oh yeah. Record companies will stage a "save the world" event, if it will produce a video + single + MONEY.
Whew. Let's talk more later. I have to take my dog for a walk.
Sincerely,
Richard Connor
Producer, Shaolin Records 2007
New direction for Folk Rock?
Your question about my reviving the Folk Rock music genre inspired me Travelling Ed:
"Where do you want to take it now? Is it culturally relevant."
1. I want to take FOLK ROCK to a public awareness of "rock music with some folk instruments performed by artists with something artistic and inspirational."
2. Culturally Relevant? There are always current issues and problems and wars, so I guess that some artists somewhere are probably expressing some "culturally relevant" lyrics...
However, the problem is largely the AUDIENCE. If the audience isn't seeking "good advice" then "good advice" doesn't seem relevant.
So maybe that is the biggest challenge of folk rock music: TO BE CULTURALLY RELEVANT and be interesting enough music that PEOPLE WANT Folk Rock Culturally Relevant Music.
This last burden comes onto my shoulders. As producer of the FOLK ROCK PODCAST OF SHAOLIN RECORDS, I choose which artists will be heard and seen by the world. You have just made me realize how significant a role I am playing in the future of Folk Rock as I decide who is a folk rock artist.
Hmmm. As King of Folk Rock, I pledge to do my best to select bands with both talent and positive messages so that the public will learn to see Folk Rock as a significant musical genre with fun and exciting artists who otherwise would be buried in the rock or folk genres.
There. That's my New Year's Resolution for 2008.
Sincerely,
Richard Connor
Producer, Shaolin Records
