What can we do to make good music reach areas where only bad music reigns?

Question

**Yahoo! Answers Staff Note: This is the real Chris Crippin, drummer from Hedley

Answer 1

Firstly, music is an art, and one style of music will never appeal to everybody...and you boys have a head start already and sometimes being the be all and end all of musicians isn't all it's cracked up to be...so enjoy your "growth" as musicians as it comes and you will find your way...you got a LOT of potential and years ahead of you!

That being said, this is the world of the INTERNET...all things are possible here.

There are so many forums and possibilities, just posting here is a step, there's Myspace, and other sites you can create a blog, support your fansites; heck give out a few single hit cds, have contests, have free sample download clips on your website...you can only put your music and yourselves out there, you can't change peoples taste...but since you're still "new" make yourselves accessible. Try You Tube, Yahoo Videos....how about some free concerts where only bad music lives!!! Join in and sing at some free summer festivals and such where large crowds gather. Get behind and support a charitable cause you believe in. You will not only be doing something for yourself but something for others who are much worse off than you. Good deeds speak volumes. You will rise up in no time.

Get your agent to dole out your cds to radio stations. I'm sure with a nice note and all they will be happy to play it.

Answer 2

ok well first of all, if this really is Hedley, your music IS bad music. All whining, no talent. And don't give me the typical 'you don't know how hard it is to write songs on instruments' because I DO know how hard it is. I've been playing guitar for only 4 years, and I play in a death metal band which might not be as popular as your whiny nonsense, but it takes a hell of a lot more talent.
So in answer to your question, you can make good music reach certain areas by actually making good music! Stop focusing on the whiny, mainstream, 4-chord songs and try writing some half-decent guitar riffs, complex drumming patterns, and intelligent, non meaningless lyrics.

Answer 3

Easy, become a media whore and get you songs on a show. Seems to be working these days. I'd go for Gray's Anatomy or CSI, or even Degrassi. Hedley on Degrassi lol that'd be reason to watch. Good music is stuff that will last through the ages and people will always discover and continue to share for years. Other things are fly-by-night much like teen aged romances, you fall hard but get over it pretty fast, and come back to your senses.
But then again, I could be little miss cynical today.

Answer 4

In my experience, most people listen to bad music because they haven't heard good music. So a little exposure is often enough to get them to come around.

Find ways in which you can expose good music to the public. If your workplace is open to it, make a few mix CDs and play them there instead of those insipid local radio stations. Just make sure the music is appropriate for the environment (Peaches? No! Jack Johnson? Yes!) Whenever somebody's having a party that you'll be attending, (any kind, whether a house party or a work party) volunteer to supply the music, and make sure it's damn good music, and when people listen to it and like it, be around to tell them what they are listening to and where to find it.

Another thing: This isn't about imposing one's musical taste on others, but inviting people to explore the possibilities of music. Popular music sucks because the music industry is largely a corporate machine interested only in making money; of course the music it produces will have most of the life sucked out of it. Reinventing our music culture and the role it plays in our society has to be a grassroots effort. This means making your own music compilations and trading them with friends, or burning CDs for family members as gifts (it's inexpensive and adds a personal touch). The key is not to limit yourself, to not be afraid to try new things, ie it's okay to listen to Jazzy B if you're white!

Answer 5

I'm not entirely sure what you can do, but I've been telling friends all over the world all about Hedley. You are now popular with some people in India, Australia, the UK, Florida, Ohio, Texas, all over the U.S., and other parts of the world. Word of mouth always seems to be the best way for me to find out who's music is hot and who's is not. Keep up the great work, you guys are awesome!

Answer 6

Good music is where you find it. Like a previous answer I read you have to "define it" first. No offense, but do you think that everyone considers Hedly "good music". Granted it is, but maybe not to the masses or else Nickleback would be opening for you right now. (And that really is a shame).

Let's face it, you have to use the current popular trends to your advantage and DON'T USE THEM. Good music is not found on radio and DVD's and major movie soundtracks. It sure as hell not on top 40 (at least in my opinion). I'd be surprised if I listened to the radio twice a week.

If you want to hear good music, you really have to look for it. There is a ton of it out there, more than you can imagine. I own hundreds of CD's from groups of with little adulation and I tell you, they are the best. There are many places to look. Look beyond the indie scene, look into the histories of high profile acts and find out what happened to their original lead guitar or singer. Chances are they cut a record that is truly worth listening to. FInd out what happened to that defunct band from 15 years ago, chances are one of the band members released a solid album. Remember Nik Kershaw? 20 years ago he was Britain's Rick Springfield, literally the prince of pop. He's now old, bald and probably broke, and a few years ago he released an album "To be Frank", and it's absolutely phenomenal. You never know.

Some of the best music I have hear have come from boxes of micellaneous tapes, records and CD's found in a basement at a garage sale. That's the truth. Show people how to look and where to look for it, that is the only way. You just can't replace bad music, it's been here long before we were around, and it will be here long after.

In short, leave bad music where it is, and where it belongs, on the radio and on Muchmusic or MTV. We don't have to listen to it if we don't want, and it's really not hurting anyone. Just concentrate on making a good album. If it is good I will hear about as well as other serious music lovers and we will buy it, regardless if it is on the radio or not. That is if your just not concerned with commercial success, because that is one of the key culprits for bad music right there.

Let me ask you a serious question, and again not to criticize your talent, or that of your bandmates, but if the airwaves truly played only best of what's available to be heard today, do you think your band would have the notoriety it does now?

Answer 7

The music that is within a geographical area is usually based on it's culture. If you think it is bad, that is your prerogative. I think your band kicks @55, but there are going to be places in which the people, (as a majority) don't like it because of their culture. I used to hate certain kinds of music, but with the blending of different genres, it has widened my tolerance. My main genre is still good old Rock 'n' Roll, but there is other stuff that I like.
I may be listening to more than just Rock 'n' Roll these days, but it is pretty much a guarantee that some people who may never have bought one of your albums, has gone out and bought one because they have been introduced to Rock 'n' Roll through one of the bands that does mix genres.
To list a few bands that do this kind of stuff;
Pain
Linkin Park
White Zombie/Rob Zombie
Gorillaz
Champion
Maybe someone will read this, check out some of the bands, and get into Rock 'n' Roll. Maybe someone who is just into Rock 'n' Roll will start listening to other stuff... I think all genres have good quality bands out there. It is a matter of finding them. The cream rises to the top, although sometimes it takes a while.
CyberNara

Answer 8

What an odd question.

Aren't you setting yourself up on this one? Good/bad is subjective and, since you are asking the question, you are unlikely to mean "Hedley" is "bad". So is this a marketing question or do you just want non-Hedley bad music removed from the world entirely? Any way you look at it, this question says more about the asker. Sorry.

Answer 9

It depends really, on what you consider good music and what you consider bad, not everyone has the same tastes, something you consider pretty heinous might be anothers favourite. To promote a genre that you feel needs to be more widely known send out Cd's, have a concert, support local bands that feel the same way, support the fans because they are after all one of the main reasons for your successes, when you support your fans, they support you. They are your number one advertisement, going anywhere and everywhere spreading word of your talent. Its hard to promote what you deem good music to places that are not interested, just remember that your musical charity may not necessarily be wanted.

Answer 10

Hey Chris,
My idea isn't very good and what do you mean " Bad music "?
Tour around those kinda places and try and get other bands as good as you guys to come with you ( like your going to listen to me hahaha - Ya right -)! anyway, keep doing what your doing cause I luv ya and I know a lot of other people luv ya too! And I live in Vancouver B.C. Isn't that were Jacob and you guys formed your band?!?! LUV YA and I think Saturday is your best song!
Yours Truly ,
M.L. from Vancouver B.C.
P.S. Good Luck getting the answer!

Answer 11

First off, good and bad music are a perspective issue and until we gain mind control, not sure if there is any definitive way for you to do this.

The best way is to offer it free of charge and then find another way to make back the money...record companies will hate this concept. I realize touring is usually done in support of the "record", but this may have to be turned around to support this. Release the music to entice the listeners to come and see the group...making money at the concert instead of the record store.