A Scene Diluted

I realize I missed the last meeting, ...and the one before that, but I'm dying to know the algorithm for success that is driving A Scene United. 


For those unaware, A Scene United is a local band support group that has come together over the past few months in Western Mass. The support group has been spearheaded by a small sampling of area business owners who believe they have the answers to revitalizing the Western Massachusetts local music "scene".  


Before you denounce the validity of my pontification due to lack of participation and otherwise convenient truths, allow me the honor. I don't attend these "scene" support groups. I don't go to shows every weekend and support local bars....I mean, bands. I don't even play live music anymore. And sure, you may likely suggest that my stance stems from bitterness, jealousy, or other misgivings, none of which would be accurate. I don't feel at all cheated by the "scene". In fact, some of my most favorite memories were made while I was an active member of the "scene". Should you arrive at any other creative justification for my angle on this topic, do feel free to share.


Some of you, though I understand it to be very few, are active participants in a local band support group called A Scene United. I've come to know of this support group through many folks who have not yet blocked me on Facebook. In fairness, I did not want to take their interpretations as gospel and decided, rather, to investigate A Scene United for myself.


The Facebook page is a testament to the cause; a members-only group page. How better to facilitate the communication of ideas between bands and local recording studio/record label/jack-of-all conglomerates? Additionally, there is a website (www.asceneunited.com), which effectively exhausts any interest that managed to survive the initial Facebook format. Much like the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, long-form prose offering detailed multi-faceted solutions to the lack of success all local bands are experiencing is available for your education. And yes, all local bands. If this were false, you would be able to name at least one local band that tours outside of New England. Hell, forget touring....one band that 25 people outside of New England have ever afforded a second listen.


Truly, though, the humor of A Scene United is easily found in its intended purpose. The notion that a "scene" can be united through a systematic approach is pure lunacy. In fact, the need to encourage unity negates the very premise of a "scene". A true "scene" needs not be encouraged to unite for it is already united by its true and honest composition. 


A Scene United strives to draw blood from a stone. Though Western Massachusetts wasn't always a desolate non-communal wasteland for local music, it certainly has become it. Nostalgia for what once was can serve as a glorious way to waste time. 


Unfortunately, there is no algorithm for success in music, locally or otherwise. There is no 12 step program to achieving unity within a local music "scene". There are always, however, those who are none the wiser. The fresh crop of new bands who would likely pay for a chance to play anywhere just because someone told them they need exposure. There will always be the bands who don't know any better. Those bands will continue to be used and abused by the masterminds behind such predatory scams as local music compilation discs and Rock Fest-esque events. These same profits of local music success are the ones who have something to gain from efforts toward "scene" unity. 


No local band that had not achieved area recognition will suddenly gain success at the hand of "scene" unity. It's fundamentally ridiculous. Furthermore, any person who goes to a struggling chef seeking the answers to restaurant success is merely an imbecile. It's important for those who are not aware to understand that you are seeking leadership from people who have failed at the very subject they purport to understand. 


And who am I to speak as such? I'm someone who made a name in the "scene". I was part of a band that was well known, well received, and well liked. We didn't have a secret playbook, nor did we attend (or host) support groups. We merely wrote music that some people liked. I'm forever grateful to those who attended any one of our shows. I realize you could have been doing something else. I don't think so little of you as to believe I could forever trick you into attending our shows. You're smarter than that. You came because you liked the music. Or because you wanted to see some dudes almost kiss.


I digress,...Those most invested in uniting the "scene" also have the most to lose. And no, I'm not referring to the bands. The bars, the clubs, the recording studio/record label/jack-of-all conglomerate(s). They have the most to lose. Individual bands, despite what some may say, are interested in their own success. No club, promoter, or studio/label/jack-of-all conglomerate is interested in the success of one. These people are most interested in a marginal improvement across all parties involved. It makes the most business sense, and let's not forget....They're in business to stay in business.


Without excited bands, there is no scene. Without excited bands, there is no entertainment for bars. Without entertainment for bars, there is (almost) no one buying drinks. Without excited bands, there is no need for a recording studio. 


These pillars of your "scene" need you (bands) more than you need them.


And lest we forget the one common strain that pertains to successful bands; They have all, at one time or another, written a song that people liked. It wasn't their professional fliers, or their ability to network. It wasn't because they went to each other's shows that they gained a following. It wasn't because a band's show was a themed event. All of these bright ideas will bring a few people some of the time. True success, true recognition comes from having something that people want. If you're a band seeking success, you better hope you've got some music that people want to hear. If the "scene" doesn't respond well to your music, you may need to take a hard look at what you're doing. It's not difficult to stand out in this area if you have something to offer. This is, in large part, because there are so many bands with very little, if anything, to offer.


That being said, if A Scene United goes any further than to say "Go write a great song", then they are wasting your time. Thankfully, you've likely got more time than you know what to do with. Here's hoping you choose to spend more of it writing songs.

Friends In the Right Places

I'd really like to open the discussion about a very common problem in the workplace. I've had several jobs now, and in talking to friends and family, it seems that this issue is widespread and not exclusive to one professional field or area of expertise.


I am referring to when administrators, or other people in power, at a workplace hire folks who are their friends despite a lack of qualification or experience.

Of course, without an advocate on the "inside", securing employment can be a daunting process. I get it. It's something that has always been there. And it's not likely to ever go away. Also, I'd be lying if I said I never got a job with the help of a friend on the inside.

In fact, given the right potential and time to grow, an under-qualified new employee can often be pushed to work harder than the average candidate. They have more to prove. Sometimes this scenario can play out very well, so that both the employee and the employer benefit from taking the chance.

Other times, the risk is not appropriate to take. An example of one such scenario is the education system. Private and charter schools (especially charter schools) are becoming more and more popular across the country. The charter schools are held to many of the same regulations under the Department of Education, but do have some exceptions available that can be a recipe for disaster.

It's happening locally, and it is surely happening elsewhere. Our youth are being educated by under qualified, inexperienced teachers. These private and charter schools have regulatory boards that oversee the inner workings. If all is quiet, the state tends to fry bigger fish and the potential for danger is missed.

Some of these school administrators have hired department heads who are less competent than their underling staff. These "directors" hide behind a title and a convenient lack of classroom involvement. They are influencing the quality and direction of education for at-risk students and the parents are none the wiser. Nevertheless, your English Language Learner, your Special Education, and your otherwise special needs student is being disenfranchised by a system that has become more invested in the business of building resumes than it is about providing quality instruction and support.

It's a win-win scenario for all parties except the students. The school will now have someone who is deeply grateful for such an opportunity that they can be saddled with all kinds of tasks and responsibilities, appropriate to their skill set or not. The under-qualified employee is less likely to complain or speak out against unfair treatment because they are lucky to even be in that position. The school benefits by having a guaranteed workhorse at a rather dramatic cost savings, because they sure aren't going to offer compensation representative of the job title. They'll just offer ten percent more than the employee had been making previously, thus saving the school money that can now be used for other corrupt expenses.

It's happening. It's true. I wish I was just paranoid, but I know it to be true.

Schools are one of many situations that are at the mercy of similar back-door deals. It is infuriating that such corruption exists in our schools, and only ignorant to assume that this will not impact your child or the children of those you know. I urge anyone with school-age children to do their homework about the schools your children attend. Ask the uncomfortable questions about qualifications, degrees, experience. Your kids cannot advocate for themselves and trusting that the nice people at the local school have your child's best interest at heart may be an ill-advised stance.

There are many great schools and devoted educators. It is important to understand, though, that these devoted educators must play by the rules of their administration. Good intentions can only go so far when job security is such a real concern.

DK