A MUSICIAN'S PERSPECTIVE

Got this via email the other day and received permission to post it. I'm wrapped up in dissertating right now and don't have time to comment but it's worth putting out there. Maybe some of my colleagues would like to offer their .02:

My name is Geoff Gallegos, and I'm a musician in LA. I saw the dialogue between the various music journalists from different parts of the country, and was very encouraged to see one common thread between all of you...which is the desire to highlight that which is good, as opposed to tearing down something that has not matured yet.

I don't think journalists should feel obligated to push a local flavor if it isn't ready to pop through the membrane. It's easy to feel dissed when you're being ignored, but I'd much rather be ignored than ripped to shreds. The most helpful criticisms I've received in my career have been done one on one over a drink, as opposed to printed and distributed to several others. This is an area that the artist/critic relationship can take a positive swing.

Since a critic has the strength of critical thinking, this can be an incredible service to an artist if they are willing to listen. Specific responses to a show or recording shared in person to the artist has the potential of elevating the artist to a plane where the critic can REALLY feel good about getting behind that artist.

Since critics have to listen to a broad wash of different music, they can serve as an intelligence gathering agency for their local artists. "This is what they're doing in Chicago..." etc...

As the artist improves, so do your pitches.

Peace,
Geoff Gallegos
Los Angeles