You are correct of course, I noticed it just after I posted my first reply. Still, the idea that you can fix the problem of diversity on the producer/performer side, without increasing the diversity of the audience itself, seems super sketchy to me. It's not just the WaPo article, I noticed that Kevin Saunderson seemed to be saying something similar, expecting profit driven capitalist mega festivals to prioritize diversity of artists over demographic reality and profit. Those giant festivals do not exist for some kind of noble cultural purpose, they exist to make as much money as possible for investors, so what Kevin is asking for is unrealistic.
Ironically, the same Saunderson interview points to a more reasonable solution, which is for black artists themselves to be involved in producing the kinds of festivals they want to see, in order to have some say over the line ups, and also create line ups that could bring in a more diverse audience from the broader community, as they did by bringing in some hiphop artists to the Detroit fest. ~David On Thu, Jul 9, 2020 at 9:50 AM kent williams <chaircrus...@gmail.com> wrote: > MOMA Ready is an artist alias, and has nothing to do with the Museum of > Modern Art. > > >> If the audience for techno became more diverse, I think it's reasonable > to assume that it would > >> organically increase the diversity of DJ's and producers who decide to > participate > >> in making this type of music. > > This article - and the impetus behind projects like this - is to center > black artists. The diversity of the audience is a different question. > People will listen to what speaks to their condition. Representation > matters. > > On Thu, Jul 9, 2020 at 9:40 AM David A. Powers <cybo...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> First of all, I'm sure the artists on here are making cool music. Will >> listen later. >> >> But, this article and all similar articles are so out of touch and >> elitist it's ridiculous. Let me lay it out very simply >> 1. Very few black communities in the US have embraced techno, it is not >> commonly perceived in the US as being a part of black culture by either >> blacks or whites. >> 2. We live in a class society that weaponizes racism, so that if you are >> black, you are less likely to be wealthy than if you are white. >> 3. This article focuses on an event produced by the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART; >> which due to the demographic reality listed above, is probably not >> something that is in any way accessible or interesting to black working >> class people (or any working class people). Honestly most MOMA shit sucks >> and ordinary people can see that better than many of our wealthy elite who >> have been brainwashed by years of conceptual art bullshit. >> 4. If you actually want to make techno more diverse, it has to begin with >> presenting the music in ways that ordinary folks can relate to and access >> and enjoy. A great example of what I mean is the Underground Resistance >> cabaret parties that they threw in Detroit. That's what bringing techno to >> ordinary folks looks like; another example is the original DEMF when it was >> free and tons of families were dancing with ravers. Techno should be for >> everyone, not just for the elites who read WaPo and go to MOMA events! >> 5. Basically, my point is this: If the audience for techno became more >> diverse, I think it's reasonable to assume that it would organically >> increase the diversity of DJ's and producers who decide to participate in >> making this type of music. >> >> *To be clear, I am personally very glad that Jeff Mills has done stuff >> with museums and orchestras, and I don't have a problem with techno events >> in museums per se, but to think that this has anything to do with >> addressing some kind of racial disparity within the techno scene itself is >> ludicrous. >> >> ~David >> >> On Thu, Jul 9, 2020 at 8:59 AM kent williams <chaircrus...@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >>> Speaking as an "elderly white man from Iowa" - as a certain erstwhile >>> list member's described me - this is important. >>> >>> Centering black music producers isn't some sort of undeserved >>> 'affirmative action.' It brings to the front artists who make essential, >>> lively, emotionally honest music. If we wait for the 'meritocracy' of the >>> dance music industry, they won't be heard. >>> >>> >>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-new-generation-of-black-artists-are-reclaiming-the-roots-of-techno-music/2020/07/08/68c8edb2-c11c-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html >>> >>> >>> The compilation mentioned at the top is fantastic. >>> https://hausofaltr.bandcamp.com/album/hoa010 >>> >>> As is the Physically Sick compilation, which has artists in common >>> with HOA010. >>> https://physicallysick3.bandcamp.com/album/physically-sick-3 >>> >>
