rant.
anyone who knows me knows that i think austin, texas is an overly dramatized fashion show full of trust punks with crust funds, friends that we/i used to have who’ve “moved on” to “bigger and better” “things”, one uppers, fart huffers, and the like.
granted, i have some long time friends who live in austin. like always, there are the exceptions.
but what makes austin such a mecca of culture and music, is that the people who live there actually give a fuck about going to shows and supporting local/touring musicians. upon entering dollar night (which i ended up very drunkenly leaving way earlier than i normally do, my apologies) i realized that, seriously, it takes an arm and a leg to get people to come to shows or underground DJ events in lafayette and the surrounding area.
while in austin, i tried to contact a couple of friends to come check us (wildfires) out at the 21st co-op around late afternoon this passed saturday. most of them couldn’t make it. why? CAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY AT OTHER SHOWS. BEAUTIFUL!
in lafayette, when people can’t make it, it’s because they’re playing beer pong or doing something equally as counter-productive. admittedly, i love playing beer pong, and other drinking games related to it. BUT, i definitely lose my interest in it after 2 or so rounds. maybe we in lafayette are too easily entertained and oblivious to the concept of functioning as an arts-related community to function as an arts-related community. everyone seems to have an opinion on the matter, and most people seem to be really supportive of what i preach. but i’m not seeing 85% of those people at any more shows (not just ours, shows in fucking general) than they used to go to, though they make it a point to wave the ‘support the scene’ flag. it’s a slap in the face to all of the musicians who bust their ass to make lousy door cut at the end of the night. the least musicians want is to just have people watching. you don’t even have to clap. all they need and want is your eyes. is that too much to ask?
also, i find it disgusting when a venue and the people who operate it so diligently promote themselves towards musicians and artists who they refuse to book and support. i’m not going to name anyone in particular, but really, if you aren’t willing to support all forms of art and music, don’t expect me or any of the musicians you shun and continue to shun to support your venue or your cause. why would i/we support a cause that is resistant towards the very art that we live every single day whole heartedly?
STOP SEGREGATING THE SCENE, YOU ARE THE REASON IT IS DYING.
(again, to re-iterate, i am not singling out anyone in particular).
-max binet
