You know for a person who spends a large portion of his time networking and working in a musical realm and maybe ought to be casual about it; I still find it difficult to get past the fact that the notion of authenticity in music bothers me.  It bothers me in part, purely because despite myself I care about it so much.

It’s very much common for me to come out of a gig or concert ranting venomously about bands, artists faking it; hamming it up for the audience; going through the same set of tired routines; playing a part, acting.

But then I catch myself – what is so bad about acting? Am I implicitly claiming that acting isn’t good? That acting cannot be art? Or am I really saying that music is separate from other forms of art and that authenticity is essential for good music in a way that is not necessary in film, theatre or even literature?

It’s actually not just me who is caught up in this. Record labels are always proving the authenticity of their artists. The recent fashion for record labels to claim that their artists made it through the democratically perfect world of tenacity and an endearing online fan base is the most pervasive bit of mythology if you ask me.

In reality what happens is that we get given ‘Pop Stars’, ‘Pop Idols’ etc.  Whoa now…don’t get me wrong.  Allow me to elaborate in my pretzel logic. I have got no gripe about the productions, they are quite illuminating actually. The only thing I detest is the way at which no attention is given to understand new trends or intricate intelligent forms of music. Instead it just boils down to a lowest common denominator, your average reality television viewer.  What is sad is that the most enchanting element in music – individuality is being totally eroded in favour of conformity and mediocrity.

Now; this is where it breaks down into semantics for me.  ‘Prince’ remember him? Prince is a performer. He goes on stage and basically is himself – the performing side of himself.  Great performers always seek to channel something truly and completely personal into whichever role they are playing. And by doing so have an indisputable sense of authenticity regardless of the part performed. Is this not what Robert De Niro is still doing, even today?

Perhaps I have to come to terms with the duality of authenticity and acting. It’s just that it’s a bit frustrating having to watch artists trash around onstage as if every moment is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to them. Whereas it’s obvious that they are just doing what they know they are supposed to do.

What do you think?  

Article by: Smalz | Ubumnandi.com