Dear Bandheads, In my ongoing struggle to become a better human, I quit smoking on November 1st after twenty-one years of a pack-and-a-half-per-day habit. Big, fat, hairy deal, right?
Well, this fundamental change in my brain chemistry has temporarily (I hope) altered my ability to do anything productive. It seems silly, unless you've been there, that such a positive change for your health should have such a debilitatinig effect on your brain...
Chemical-Free Apathy
Truth is, I'm having a real hard time caring about your music, or any of this online shit right now. Not very good timing for a confession, I'll admit, what with our fundraiser coming up this Friday at The New Way (thanks to the selfless act of faith by Riverside Drive and The Kingsnakes). But speaking truth to music has always been more important to me than spewing fluff for anyone's entertainment. I've grown very weary of providing content for content's sake.
I could drop a load on you about how important it is for you to get involved in your local music scene, how important it is for you to contribute to MB - but the truth is that it really isn't that fucking important. It's just music, and though it may play too large a role in our lives, it doesn't in the lives of average consumers. And that's what we're talking about here, isn't it? People who buy music. Our only concern as a music "scene" is how do we get people to buy local music, specifically your music? How do we get average people to care about your music? Why should they care? Tell me. You have a comments button, you can submit an article, you have a fully-interactive free local music site - use the fucker.
Over the past year, Michiganbands.com has become just another unwelcome responsiblity in my life - not the musical adventure I'd first envisioned. It's no longer a harmless hobby but a source of constant worry and stress to me. And worry, coupled with a drastic change in lifestyle (no drinking either - it'll make me want to smoke), has eroded the quality of my concentration to the point of still confusion.
I really hope my chemical-free apathy will pass and my passion for the music will return. I hope I can find one more reason to volunteer my time to this nearly fruitless pursuit. But if I don't, who could blame me? Let some young fucker without a regular job or family responsibililties play the role of True Believer for you all. I've done my part.
Ok, I'm going out to see KilKenny blast The Hayloft now. That should help. Thanks for letting me vent.
Yours Truly,
Mitch