Groupies, Band-Aides, and Music Sluts: An Angry Rant

In the new Woody Allen film, "Midnight in Paris", Owen Wilson's character asks Ernest Hemingway to read his manuscript and give him some suggestions.  Hemingway replies something to the effect of "I never critique another's writing.  If it's bad writing, I'll hate it because I hate all bad writing.  And if it's good writing, I'll be envious and hate it all the more."  I've never heard anything more honest or true about the pitfalls of peer review.  I even find myself subconsciously despising writers because they've written what I percieve as better work.  That's why I don't blog about books -- I would be way too harsh.  What follows after the jump is a tirade about my frustration with the pettiness of human behavior.  Feel free to read if you wish and I promise, this won't be a regular occurance.

As you have probably noticed, I am on a massive advertising rampage to get this blog some readership and recognition.  One of the places I've been waving my banner around is a site where I used to blog about personal stuff -- especially on community pages.  I asked for feedback and constructive criticism and, for the most part, I got it.  Lots of people checked out the site (whom I hope will become repeat readers) and many took the time to leave me comments on the website I advertised on -- they were encouraging, supportive, and had some great suggestions for my content....Except for one person.  In my spiel, I welcomed suggestions to improve this blog but, for some reason, I got the distinct impression that she was actively trying to rain on my parade.  After checking her blog, I noticed she had a record of openly shitting in other people's cheerios but it still really irked me that she went out of her way to do it.  Point noted.  Jealousy's a bitch.

The one almost-valid point she made was that my site name could be interpreted as being a blog documenting sexploits with musicians.  This concerned and confused me, especially since people had said that they liked the name; that it was striking and made them curious to read more.  After reflecting on whether a change should be made, I realized that I didn't even invent the term "Music Slut" -- not by a longshot.  It would be arrogant to claim that I had.  I got the initial idea from when Travel Channel's Samantha Brown interviewed a Key West artist who dubbed herself "The Art Slut" because she loved art in all it's shapes, sizes, and incarnations.  I warped that to fit my all-consuming ardor for music and, thus, my blog title was born.  However, just to be sure I wasn't misusing the term, I went to that paragon of American slang, Urban Dictionary, to see if there was a precedent.  There was and I was using it correctly, as you will see later.  The lesson learned is that even if she might misconstrue my title -- out of ignorance or to be malicious -- the vast majority of people get the gist. 

Also -- and I find this hilarious -- she thought it sounded "unprofessional."  Music is a form of emotional expression; one that has been associated with striving against the status quo and the chains of "professionalism."  So, Cheri, if you want professional, go read an accountant's blog.  Music Slut Out.

Definitions
Groupie -- A young woman, often under age, who seeks to achieve status by having sex with rock musicians, roadies, security, and other band-related guys.

This is what she suggested I was supposed to be.  If I wanted people to think I was a groupie, I would've named this blog something like "The Groupie Files" or "In Bed with Music." 

Band Aide -- Band Aide's Are not groupies. They exist because of the music, they inspire the music. They do not have full intercourse with rock stars, just the odd blow job (unless its someone they seriously LOVE).  Widely accepted definition from the movie "Almost Famous"

I love "Almost Famous."  I have considered myself a band-aide on only one occasion and no sexual acts were involved.  Some day soon, I will relive those adventures so watch out for that post.

Music Slut -- . one who listens only to music that they find enjoyable displaying little to no patronage, respect, or knowledge of who the artist(s) who produce such wonderful sounds (i.e. paying no attention to popularity). 2. one who could care less about what the name of their favorite songs are, who the artists are that sing them, or the record companies that produce them. As long as the music sounds great, they are listening, and on to the next one. 3. A music slut is some one who musically speaking takes what ever comes his/her way. They like pretty much all music genres and are willing to listen to anything.

Ironically, this term had the most extensive definition which I would think means that everyone has pretty much agreed on what being a music slut entails.  Urban Dictionary had two other definitions but both of them claimed that a Music Slut is someone who will only listen to Top 40 Hits which, to me, seems counterintuitive.  If a Music Slut only listens to popular music, doesn't that mean they are....just like everyone else.  Yeah, that's what I thought, too.  Anyway, my made-up definition that I used for my first post still stands as accurate and I am sufficiently confident that most people will understand what I'm trying to accomplish in my writing.

In conclusion, I really shouldn't let sh*t like this get to me as much as it did.  The truth is that I love what this is evolving into and I'm in it for the long haul.  If you actually read the above, I truly appreciate your patronage and I hope you come back.