The
Return of the Singer/Songwriter:
As we race into the 21st Century, music — like much else
— seems sadly lacking in originality. Everything has roots
and nearly every new avenue somewhat retraces the steps of a bygone
era. Just in the last fifteen years of music, we’ve witnessed
several sonic rebirths that have faded as quickly as they had
become sensations.
We skanked into the early 90s (although we now acknowledge the
silliness), to the third wave of the ska revolution. Through the
breakthrough popularity of artists like the Brian Setzer Orchestra
and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, the swing jazz, big band fare
of the ‘30s and ‘40s had a brief revival during late
‘90s. In 2006, bands like My Bloody Valentine, Avenged Sevenfold,
and other rock/metal acts have paid heavy homage to the power
ballad, hard partying hair bands of the 80s.
So, what’s the next big trend in music? Nothing is for certain,
but it’s worth examining the singer/songwriters’ return
to popularity.
When friction between the U.S. and North Vietnam escalated into
full-blown ground combat, the instatement of a draft and first
major troop deployments did as much for our musical landscape
as the political.
Music and politics frequently go hand-in-hand, as music has long
been a subtle, yet powerful vehicle of expression. Never was it
more powerful than in the 1960s, when freedom of expression was
the mantra for a public majority tired of war. With an unconventional
enemy and mounting casualties, the public’s frustration
with the government spilled over into every social facet. Experimentation
both with drugs and sex ballooned into an itch that had to be
scratched. The eradication of social inhibitions seemed a cure.
Singer-songwriting that combined protest with rock sensibility
became dubbed “folk-rock.” Influenced heavily by the
Beatles and Bob Dylan, artists like Paul Simon, Phil Ochs, Joan
Baez, and others created an outlet for protesters to mourn and
constructively criticize a government that seemed lost in a blinding
desire to prove its power and sway.
Fast-forward forty years. America is again at war against an unconventional
enemy. The war has lasted longer than expected and American casualties
are mounting. Many consider the war imperialistic and illegitimate.
Public frustration is high and the President’s popularity
low.
And during the last few years, singer/songwriters like Joseph
Arthur and Leonard Cohen have re-emerged as prominent voices during
these times of turmoil.
David Rovics is one of the loudest voices to emerge amongst the
clamor of public dissent. He is not only an outspoken opponent
of George W. Bush, but also of John Kerry and the Democratic Party
as a whole. His stance on humanitarian and political issues is
even reflected in his distributions methods. All of Rovics’
albums — the majority of which are self-released —
are available in a full, mp3 format.
“I believe music can be more than an escape. It can be that
— yes, fine — but it can also be a hammer, to paraphrase
Bertoldt Brecht,” Rovics said. “It can be a tool for
selling products on the one hand, or part of the stockpile of
ammunition necessary to build and maintain a social movement.”
Another politically motivated singer songwriter of note is Iraqi-American
Stephen Smith. After Neil Young released his latest political
album, Living With War Today, Young claimed to have created
it out of necessity, due to a lack of artists willing to carry
on the torch. Hitting on a particular issue of sensitivity to
Smith, he responded with an open letter to Young.
“While established artists like yourself may have felt your
hands tied, the truth is far worse for upcoming artists,”
Smith wrote. “Even booking agents and managers won't touch
us for fear that we will offend their audiences in a country where
consumerism and patriotism stand united, as your song "Restless
Consumer" makes clear.”
Smith chipped away at the hallowed mantle of artists like Green
Day and Steve Earle, who profited from dissent, receiving Grammy
Awards for their largely topical albums. Kanye West, Bright Eyes
and Anti-Flag were in this list as well.
“These are all artists who were established before they
questioned the war in Iraq,” he wrote. “For now, questioning
authority in the mainstream industry remains reserved for celebrities.”
Although Smith’s contentions with consumer and industry
practices are arguable, acts like Rovics and Smith prove that
the next generation of singer/songwriters have in fact taken the
torch and are blazing ahead in the name of social change
By
Paul Bickler
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