One in a Million-that’s the real truth!
Today’s world of music is more eclectic than ever. Artists nowadays across the globe inundate the Internet with their take one of the world’s most objective and transcendental art forms. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google, and other types of social media have led to the discovery of unknown artists that are now taking the music scene by storm. Only in the 21st century can artists make it big by uploading their music to the internet, sampling other songs, using electronics to produce beats, and essentially dominate the music industry with one simple lyric, “Baby I Was Born This Way.”
Despite the plethora of music sharing opportunities present in today’s music scene, the likelihood of getting discovered is next to none. The obvious case of a rags-to-riches story that the whole world knows too well is that of teen heartthrob, Justin Bieber. The international superstar first got to melt teenage girl’s hearts at the age of 13 when he was discovered on YouTube, by accident. It seems that discovering talent through social media has become a more commonplace theme. Yet still, millions of undiscovered acts are itching to share the limelight.
Not many bands can say that they headlined at New York City’s infamous Knitting Factory; especially at the young age of 17. Poofy and the Busboys hails from humble Nassau County, Long Island, and have recently become one of New York City’s hottest new acts. Over the past few years, the Busboys have played some of Manhattan’s most illustrious venues, packing the house almost every time. The bands repertoire of venues includes the Knitting Factory, Webster Hall, the Bitter End, the R Bar, and most recently the Highline Ballroom for their EP release party. Their unique blend of hip hop, rap, funk, rock, soul, and jazz caters to the masses in a way that compares to chart-toppers Gym Class Heroes and Incubus. Each band member contributes something new and fresh to the band’s distinctive sound. However, what sets this band apart from most is the level of musicianship present in the group. Everyone in the band possesses talent that is rarely found at such a young age. This is highly due to their influences; guitarist Justin Zim cites George Benson, John Mayer, John Scofield, and Pat Metheny as his most favorite guitarists, an unusual mix for a teenager living in 2011. Fans are continuously left in awe as they make their way home from the show. Whether it be original songs such as “Bottom Feeders”, “Sunshine”, or covers such as Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”, Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back”, and James Brown’s “Sex Machine”, the audience is never seen sitting down. No matter where you look in the club, people are “dancin’, and singin’, and movin’ to the groovin’”, but no one is shouting, “play that funky music white boy.” They shout “play that funky music poofy.”
Despite the bands immersion into the Manhattan music scene, they have yet to be discovered, or heard by any record labels. The sad fact is experience and talents don’t necessarily guarantee you a spot at a record label. There are the few that get noticed due to their talent; however, the chances of that happening are one in a million. The familiar case of Justin Bieber is once again the perfect example. Bieber started playing instruments and singing as a toddler and his mother cleverly put the videos on Youtube. Although Bieber isn’t exactly a virtuoso musician, what made him different is what got him noticed. A small boy banging on the drums as if he’d been playing for years and singing Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown with precision pitch isn’t something you see everyday. He soon gained a vast group of followers, and the rest is history. Bands today have an extremely tough time making it in the music scene, because even though their music could be revolutionary and “game-changing”, its been seen before.
Social media plays an integral part in discovering new acts. Record labels search for potential singings and judge them based on how many “Likes” they have on Facebook. Unless the artist or band has over 40,000 Likes, they probably won’t get a second look or listen. Poofy and the Busboys have gathered themselves a substantial following, yet its still not enough to make an impact on any major record labels.
Why is this happening in the music industry today? There is a simple answer, wealth. Record producers and record companies alike don’t care as much for an artist’s talent as their ability to sell. While not as talented artists are selling “their music” around the world, true talent is being overlooked. Most of these so-called “artists” don’t even write their own music. Bands like Poofy and the Busboys are left struggling to find a gig in a broken down stage or perhaps a bar somewhere in New York.
If the music industry doesn’t get its own act together soon, there will be a dramatic shift in the type of music that society listens too. Leave it up to the listener to determine whether a jaded chord progression underscored by pretentious lyrics about former lovers or a well written piece of music is better. That’s when the real talent this world has to offer, like Poofy and the Busboys, will be exposed.
