Last Monday 27th November, I released one of my songs onto most of the major music streaming platforms of the world. It was a bit of a tester as up til now I have only put songs onto my Soundcloud page. Soundcloud has been a great way for me to share some songs more widely than close friends and family but the Soundcloud for Artists feature pushes them out to everyone who has access to Spotify, Music, Deezer, TIDAL, Amazon, Youtube and many more. Search for Paul Rowlinson on your chosen music streaming service and you should find me.
For all artists, finding a suitable forum for their own particular strain of creative output can be an immense task. Especially for those just starting out or not fortunate enough to be plugged in to a network of influential contacts. It can feel like being locked out of an exclusive club, by those deemed to be gatekeepers, as is often the bitter bleat of the undiscovered or struggling artist.
Those who are hoping to gain entry or be accepted into the ‘club’ often talk about the ‘foot in the door’ or simply being locked out. This and other terminology suggests the existence of buildings or organisations with impenetrable physical barriers.
But what if there was an alternative venue to the bricks and mortar that were available as a space or place to everyone? A virtual forum that could be the platform upon which or within which to present oneself so that one’s work can be accessed by potential consumers, for want of a less consumerist word?
Virtual spaces offer such a place but with the advantages of being open 24/7 to anyone in the world with internet access and without many of the overheads or logistical conundra that can all-too-often stand in between the artist and their audience.
The 4th Dimension Events Stadium has been set up with visual art in mind but as a musician I am particularly interested in its possibilities for performance and as a vehicle for audiovisual or multimedia. Touring musicians who like to bang on about their green, environmentally-aware credentials have long been ridiculed for the hypocrisy of their world tours during which they leave huge carbon footprints behind thems. Many artists feel that the economic model isn’t working for them. Ticket prices are sky-high and yet t claim to make a loss from performing, perhaps even resigning themselves to the ‘loss-leader’ of staging shows that might lead to increased record or streaming income.
There could be distinct artistic advantages in putting shows on in the virtual world or Metaverse, where lighting and other effects might be free from traditional physical constraints. I remember the revolution that occurred with computer-controlled Varilites that could change to any colour and direction in a way only previously dreamed of. With no hardware to hire or set up, set and stage designers will be limited only by their imagination. Costume changes could happen instantly. Everyone in the audience will have the best view, whatever or wherever that is and might jump around the virtual auditorium at will.
There will be pros and cons to this new technology and of course there will be winners and losers, but as with any other revolution, it is sure to be an exciting time.
The Concept – CREATIVE YOUTH FORUM
To facilitate these connections, the 4th Dimension offers networking features, allowing you to connect with other visitors who share similar interests or expertise. Engage in private conversations, join group discussions, or even collaborate on projects and artistic endeavors. The possibilities for…
So this is my first blog. And I can do anything. Oh yes. I’ve been deliberating/procrastinating/generally putting off doing this as I confess that I’ve been quite daunted by the prospect. And what to write about?
I hadn’t really got a clue what to start with. Then I came across the photo I took in February 2017 on Trafalgar Street of a David Bowie graffito in Brighton. I love Brighton and would go back and live there again without a moment’s hesitation. There is something unique about Brighton. Actually, there are a few things that are unique about Brighton. Nowhere else on earth has taken my heart and soul to the degree that Brighton has.
However, Brighton isn’t what I want to write about here. I’ll save that for another time. I want to set out my stall, as it were; make a statement of intent; a manifesto, if you will?
This is my blog, but I’m not really entirely sure what blog means. Perhaps it means lots of things? I’ve read a couple of good ones and a whole lot of bad ones. I’ve seen blogs masquerading as something else. Cooking recipes that tell me the life story of the cook with a sprinkling of cooking instructions. Maybe BLOG stands for Boring Life Of Guy? I’m sure that some days it will.
I’m not going to make any rash promises that I won’t bore anybody and I fully reserve the right to do that. If I want to do that it’s my blog, so there.
I will try and write stuff here as often as possible and try to make it as interesting as possible, as my mood takes me. I can’t promise that you will find it as interesting as I do. Or even as boring as I do, because sometimes boring is OK.
What I will promise is that I will do anything I want here.
