I've been wondering for a while now about what this blog's readership might be like. I have a hunch it's mostly large dudes in their parents' basements, but this post is made in the hopes that a few small label owners might read. Rocket Surgery is a band I've been aware of for a few years and though I've always expected them to get big, they somehow still self release albums. Why should this be? Can't really be the music's fault. Poor marketing perhaps? Hopefully I can help a bit...
Rocket Surgery - Driving No Car
Rocket Surgery - Two More Dreams
These tracks are from Rocket Surgery's newish self titled CD, a marathon's worth of heavy progressive pop. Traces of country and grunge among other influences step in and out with deliberate baroque riffery, arabic modalities, barbershop harmonies and spacy experimental interludes. Reminds me a bit of that short lived band from a few years back, All Night Radio - sugary pop songs drenched in effect pedal tomfoolery. But whereas All Night Radio occupied some kind of easy-going slacker mindset, Rocket Surgery's mood is constantly angsty and tension filled. The band doesn't shy away from progressive rock's loftier ambitions either - listening to Rocket Surgery's CD feels like climbing K2 in a swirling storm. So it's not surprising that there'd be a 'suggested intermission' midway through the CD. Not that you weren't enjoying the music, it's just that the sheer drama becomes exhausting. This energy actually translates well in a live setting. I've seen Rocket Surgery play a few shows and they can rip through 80 minutes, keeping the energy up the whole time. The band is a two piece, with singer Joel Kennedy doubling up on guitar and keyboards. Joel recently released a split with fellow solo artist Moloq, who's got excellent pop sensibilities in his own right, not to mention wonderful production for a home recorder. Here's an mp3 from each side of the split...
Check out these guys. wonderful music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CXLiSxsML8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Gw4vakt00
Posted by: Ben | October 23, 2008 at 02:05 PM
NO! DON'T sign this band.
Money corrupts. Many bands start to go down hill after they get signed. The pressure of being part of a label, being forced to make hit songs as a matter of survival, and making music as a living (rather than for only art's sake) wears down the integrity and creativity of the artist. This is not always the case, but most of the time it's true. Of course if they were signed to an independent label with a different business culture and less pressure to make hits, that would be a different story - but it could still change their music for the worse.
Besides, if these guys like what they do, and really love music, they are going to create great songs anyways, no matter if the labels like it or not. If money is a problem, they could easily make a decent living getting played to pay concerts. They can offer their recorded material for free online as a way to build an audience for their live shows, and make a decent sum of money off of ticket sales for their live shows. The internet is opening doors for people who want to make music without a label.
Posted by: Norm | October 23, 2008 at 11:46 PM
The first song sounded like the White Stripes with some reverb. Sorry. I do like that hipppy dude though. Looks like he's from Amazing Blondel.
Why doesn't 'FMU start a record label, WFMU Records? They have uber-hip boutique sensibilities and an established audience and the facilities. Could generate some serious dough.
Posted by: Dale Hazelton | October 24, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Get rich or die trying.
Posted by: Nash Roads | October 24, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnzzzzzzz......
Posted by: Al Beany | October 24, 2008 at 11:48 AM
That album (the self-titled Rocket Surgery one) is probably up there with the best albums I've ever heard. They might be my favorite band. I'm thrilled to see a write-up of them, though I think your sample song choices might be giving the wrong impression about their sound in general.
Posted by: Noah Appelbaum | October 24, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Dale wrote: "If money is a problem, they could easily make a decent living getting played to pay concerts. They can offer their recorded material for free online as a way to build an audience for their live shows, and make a decent sum of money off of ticket sales for their live shows."
I just wanted to point out that, in my observation, it's not very "easy" to make a living off of live concerts, and it's gotten harder over recent years (higher transportation costs being one reason). I know (respected, popular) artists who've made their money by selling CD's at their live concerts (transportation costs usually wipe out the concert earnings), and have found CD sales have declined as more people buy the music through middlemen like iTunes and Amazon (of which the artist sees pennies).
In every case, these artists don't succeed at making their living from their art. They all hold down other jobs to stay afloat.
It doesn't seem to be "easy" to make a living as an artist around these parts/these days.
Posted by: Kenzo (lastever.org / kenzodb.com) | October 24, 2008 at 04:29 PM
I'm still sad about All Night Radio breaking up. That album of theirs was pretty great.
Regarding these guys I don't know from capitalism but I think it would be nice if more people had the chance to hear their record, as the songs here are pretty darn good.
Posted by: Hans Keller | October 24, 2008 at 05:42 PM
The title of this article is almost as good as the band. I cannot wait for them to come out with new material and to move back to the east coast so i can attend more of their shows.... But i do have one thing to say to Norm, just from what you say i think you have never even tried to be in a band. It is not easy to make money from shows, cd's, merch, or even record labels. Being on a label has nothing to do with the creative output of a band if the band chooses not to let affect them. What a label will do is offer things you wouldn't necessarily have access to on your own, e.g incredible recording studios, connections with venues and other alike bands to set up tour dates, and lots of P.R. for upcoming album releases. I mean you said it best yourself in your own comment, "Besides, if these guys like what they do, and really love music, they are going to create great songs anyways, no matter if the labels like it or not."
Posted by: Alex | October 25, 2008 at 10:10 PM
The title of this article is almost as good as the band. I cannot wait for them to come out with new material and to move back to the east coast so i can attend more of their shows.... But i do have one thing to say to Norm, just from what you say i think you have never even tried to be in a band. It is not easy to make money from shows, cd's, merch, or even record labels. Being on a label has nothing to do with the creative output of a band if the band chooses not to let affect them. What a label will do is offer things you wouldn't necessarily have access to on your own, e.g incredible recording studios, connections with venues and other alike bands to set up tour dates, and lots of P.R. for upcoming album releases. I mean you said it best yourself in your own comment, "Besides, if these guys like what they do, and really love music, they are going to create great songs anyways, no matter if the labels like it or not."
Posted by: Alex | October 25, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I said what now?
Posted by: Dale Hazelton | October 26, 2008 at 08:29 AM
I'm not a label exec (or a label anything), but I know one, and I'll put him onto these guys when he gets back into New York. I can't promise anything, but who knows.
Posted by: Heather | November 01, 2008 at 08:43 PM