Why the internet has changed everything

[gurdonark]

I just finished an IM passage with one of the fellows in the ambient recording group Ma Ja Le. What a nice man! He had stopped in to say "hi" by IM, because we both hang out at the hypnos.com forum. His duo's album Seed has gotten rave reviews from folks I've heard. I love that (a) the internet makes it possible for a curious little ambient act from WI to get distributed around the world; (b) the internet breaks down those "celebrity" barriers, so that a fellow can say "hi" to a fellow without anyone worrying that one is a "recording artist" and one is a fan; and (c) eventually, the whole rock star construct will be destroyed, leaving nothing but fascinating music for thinking people. It's a small thing, such nice foreshadowings, but a nice thing nonetheless. I love a lot of classic acts, but I love to support people who make music I like not because they have a BIG contract, but because they love to make the music. It's also some fodder for my position that all truly independent music, in this age when the mammals are only beginning to topple the dinosaurs, must be avocational...no compromises, no dependencies, no fear. But that's another post for another day, or the post from last month, or something. I just want to buy some Ma Ja Le albums. Oh, and be grateful for surprise IMs from unmet friends.

Comments

[asphalteden.livejournal.com]

I am so into the ultra-personal Hypnos "scene." It's so much fun to shoot the shit with all of those guys.

I've had email conversations with Mathias Grassow, Vir Unis, and Jim Cole. Cole was especially friendly, writing extremely personal letters, which I've saved. He was very appreciative of the little review I wrote for Godspace (which I highly recommend, of course). The review shows up in the description on Cole's website, as well as the Hypnos Online Store. Wow, I'm pretty cool!

I like Ma Je Le's music very much. If you don't already have it, Paul Vnuk's solo record is my favorite. I listened to it for a few months straight, every day.

And, as you know already, I am ready for the Rock God to fall!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I haven't been as interactive with the hypnos folks as you have, but it was nice to talk to Paul. I will definitely get his solo Silence as well as Seed.

These guys fit my theory about day job/night art. I wonder if they see themselves as blessed as I see them, though :). I'd guess they're a bit more aware of the cold cruel phenom of doing a music so few people understand.