Louder Than The Music

In the past year or so I have become more and more aware of unsigned artists and artists who haven't managed to 'break' into the music industry. It's changed the way I think of music if I'm honest.

Growing up in the pop saturated 80's and 90's, an artist's success was mainly based on chart positions and Smash Hits covers (ask your parents - no strike that, I'm not that old - ask your cool Aunt or Uncle). And while we're on the subject, I'll just step onto my soapbox to say that in my day chart positions meant something... then they didn't, but then they did again and that's what's important.

In some ways, the charts are much healthier these days with songs entering low and gradually climbing to the top 10 before slowly dropping out instead of entering high one week and being gone the next. But all these chart campaigns to get novelty songs in or stop certain songs getting to that number one spot, seems to have cheapened the system somehow.

OK, I'll step down now. But honestly, I didn't back the recent campaign to get Delirious? History Maker into the chart. I know, I know - it's a terrible thing for a D? fan to admit but there were a number of reasons for it. Some of it was because the band was ending and it was an old song but this new found awareness of the industry played the biggest part.

I sat watching all the hype of the campaign and one thought would not leave my head: what about Nathan Lee?! Nathan is an example of an amazing musician, an amazing talent who doesn't get the attention his music deserves. And the sad thing is, he is far from alone in that. Why are we putting so much energy into getting someone into the charts who is already getting the level of recognition they deserve?

Nathan gave up his business and pretty much everything, to the point of being homeless, in order to make music. Stephanie Smith records, does live shows and writes new material while working in a clothing store. Lindsey's Pick An Orange Project offered fans the chance to fund recording her album when record labels wouldn't pick her up. American artist Will Gray has spent time making a film exploring his own questions on whether it is possible to break into the industry as he journey's to try. I saw a video of Will performing a cover of Top of The World live and it took my breath away - the dude it amazing. Have you heard of him? It's doubtful.

Are they the kinds of stories you think of when thinking of the life of a musician? They aren't for me.

In America there is more of a crossover between the secular and Christian artists with both being represented in the Billboard hot 100 - but the UK is very different with fewer Christian radio stations or TV shows. However on the both sides of the Atlantic, it is highly unlikely that a Christian artist will ever reach the level of 'success' that someone like Lady Gaga has but the Christian industry has it's own levels. There are plenty of artists who tour extensively, do pretty decent album sales and have successful careers within the industry. So why are talented artists being overlooked?

I've blogged before about the separation between Christian music and secular music and I guess my frustration was aimed at the secular industry, but is the Christian industry just as closed minded?

When I think of the unsigned artists I mentioned above I can't help but feel that the only thing holding them back is their creativity and diversity. These are artists who write about Christian issues but also songs that aren't necessarily 'God songs'. They seem to fall somewhere between the two industries because their music is too Christian to be secular but comes too close to secular topics to be Christian. The songs they perform aren't full on worship songs or songs that would be adopted by Churches but is that really what the definition of Christian music should be?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: why can't music just be music? Why do we have to label it with faith or with sin? Why are these, and many other, great artists being overlooked because they write what is on their heart, be it a God song or not? A Christian, at any level, knows what is wrong and right in God's eyes - why then do we have to create a smokescreen within the industry where some 'falls' cannot be spoken about?

We all fall - if we were capable of being perfect Jesus wouldn't have died on the cross for us - why do we have to hide it and only sing of what is considered acceptable? As Christians we are called to be in the world - we live here, we see it, we face the problems of the world, why then can we not talk about our struggles and our successes as we feel them?

Writing should offer a freedom. Music should speak from one heart to another in a way that words can never do. Why do we put a limit on what we can and can't communicate through music? Music is music. Let's put away the boxes and the labels and just let the talent speak the truth for itself.

Suzanne Physick