The trouble with Shetland Arts

[williar]

Today I posted this email to the Shetland Times and so far they have censored it so the control runs deep does it not? It was my response to a man named Colin Hunter's comment, "Cloud Coo Coo Land".......here it is.

 

I am happy to see this debate.

 

My vocation is guitar education and I have been at it for almost 20 years teaching workshops in London and as far away as Tokyo.

 

I moved to Shetland in June because I like Shetlands music and my family is Scottish. If you think playing guitar for 44 years would help you to find a way into a guitar festival here then think again.

 

Funny thing is I have been jamming with Brian Nicholson for almost 2 months and when I contacted Shetland Arts several times without an answer I finally got an email from Bryan Peterson saying he was finalising a list for the Guitar Festival and he would consider me, and I could visit “Our Guitar Guru†Brian Nicholson. When I said I had met Brian and he was asking my advice on playing American Jazz, Bryan asked for a way to “know†about my music, I mentioned this thinking it would be enough.

 

That was July 27. A few weeks later I emailed again. Nothing. Finally I sent a CD with music from my CD. Still being ignored as of this writing. That does not bother me that much. What I find disturbing is that a young inexperienced non-musician would have the power to decide a line-up over a guitar festival in the first place.

 

Maybe this explains why he is teaching a “Pro Tools†course for adult education (pro tools is the new computer way to record music and hiring a hack to do it is not hard) is Bryan’s part time interest as well. Which is it Pro Tools computer music or Shetland Arts Music Officer?

 

As for my disease here (I have also been ignored by this lot on a Blues Festival, and the arts programme you mention Colin so the response you received seems fitting) I can only put it down to something akin to the Time Magizine article “The Death of French Culture†in 2007, and how government subsidy sucks the oxygen out of creativity in France today. Check it out.

 

Signed,

W.J. Yockey

 

(***Mod Edit - Merged and moved to somewhere more appropriate***)

[williar]

Sorry for the 4 posts. I was trying to delete my post so I could re-edit the title but there is no way to delete a post here.

[Gibber]

What I find disturbing is that a young inexperienced non-musician would have the power to decide a line-up over a guitar festival in the first place.

 

Bryan is a musician, I would suggest that its his experience of being a Shetland musician, his contacts, love of many types of music and appreciation of the arts in general makes him aptly suited to the position he holds. I wouldn't have thought he would wilfully ignore someone like yourself who is keen to be involved.

[Njugle]

What I find disturbing is that a young inexperienced non-musician would have the power to decide a line-up over a guitar festival in the first place.

 

There is more than a little irony, williar, in your assumptions (and total lack of research) about Bryan while taking umbrage at him not recognising you in the way you deem appropriate.

[Gibber]

What I find disturbing is that a young inexperienced non-musician would have the power to decide a line-up over a guitar festival in the first place.

 

There is more than a little irony, williar, in your assumptions (and total lack of research) about Bryan while taking umbrage at him not recognising you in the way you deem appropriate.

 

Yeah, he's not even young.

[ISOT]

I for one reason or another, rightly or wrongly have never been for the Mareel project but seeing the building take shape and thinkin how good it was to sit in a Cinema watching a film last weekend I'm actually looking forward to it now.

 

I can't say I'm worrying about the costs involved now or wether or not it will have to be subsidised, just looking forward for it openening.

 

Although I like my music I'm not big into watching bands so that side of it doesn't bother me.

 

We have so many sports facilities being subsidised at the moment what does it matter if another one is added to the list. At least everyone will have some kind of recreation facility that they use which will have to be publicly funded!

 

Thats not a sly dig by the way, I think its just realistic.

 

Cheers

[Guest Anonymous]

I would hardly call peerie bryan a non musician he is braaly good at that at least, I may not agree with how he and the rest of them run shetland arts but you canna fault the boys musical ability

[JohanofNess]

This kind of thing is between you and Bryan by airing it here it makes you look bitter and that's without even hearing Bryan's side of the story.

[Longdog]

This kind of thing is between you and Bryan by airing it here it makes you look bitter and that's without even hearing Bryan's side of the story.

 

Yup, if you've been 'in the business' that long I'd guess you'd know by now that there's more to being booked than ability.

 

Your post is not exactly an enamouring way to get yourself in on the act is it? More like burning your bridges before they've been built

 

Just be glad you don't play the didgeridoo

[Spinner72]

^^ Excellent post. And dont forget bands and musicians are only one kind of act you can go see. Lets not forget comedians, magicians, acrobats etc.

 

That was July 27. A few weeks later I emailed again. Nothing. Finally I sent a CD with music from my CD. Still being ignored as of this writing. That does not bother me that much.

 

Either I've slipped into a time vortex of some kind (I hope so! Then maybe I could go back and catch Steve Earle last night again) or this is only the 10th of september.

 

Something doesn't add up in the timescales there! Festivals can be organised up to a year or more in advance with dozens of acts to juggle and fit in, so a few weeks isn't anything to be concerned about. The festival goes on until the 19th December so there is plenty of time yet.

 

I think the others have covered the innacuracy of your assumptions about Bryan, so as a another born and bred shetland "musician" (I put that in quotes, as like many people making music is something I do and love but I am in no way professional, so don't like to imply that in any way!) let me welcome you to Shetlink, and Shetland in general, and point out that you don't need to audition or wait for anyones approval to be here.

 

Just grab your guitar and join in any time something intrests you. At almost any time, but especially during all the various festivals, the Lounge, at the very least, is a gathering point and if no-one is playing, just "strick up" yourself.

 

In a short time you will meet and get to know the people who regularly organise gigs etc (remember Shetland Arts is far from the only "promoter") or simply do what many of us have done and hire a hall, print out a few posters and have a gig yourself! Either way, I am sure you will soon fit in as seamlessly as everyone else.

[EM]

What I find disturbing is that a young inexperienced non-musician would have the power to decide a line-up over a guitar festival in the first place.

Incredible. Bryan is without doubt one of the finest and most experienced bassplayers Shetland has produced.

 

For example:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMk-0Wd93X8

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjTLoIi_2JQ

 

 

Mind you, as I keep moaning, it has been far too long since we've had the pleasure of a Bongshang concert. Plans still on for the end of the year Bryan?

[Spinner72]

Aside from the ignorant and agressive tone of the original post, spamming it across multiple forums won't help endear yourself to anyone either willar.

 

I've replied to the first time you posted it in the Mareel thread, and I'm not repeating myself. Again

 

Ta for the links EM

[Baron Farkoff]

Exceptional post spinner72. Williar dude,chill out,please! I would hate to see someone new here get the wrong end of the stick so quick. I would say this: don't expect quick results on Shetland,Bryan is an extremely busy guy,and also it doesn't matter how good you think you are, that is completely irrellevant on these islands: trust me,they have seen better. No offence.

Anyway, I'm wonderful:fancy a jam?

[peeriebryan]

Today I posted this email to the Shetland Times and so far they have censored it so the control runs deep does it not? It was my response to a man named Colin Hunter's comment, "Cloud Coo Coo Land".......here it is.

 

I am happy to see this debate.

 

My vocation is guitar education and I have been at it for almost 20 years teaching workshops in London and as far away as Tokyo.

 

I moved to Shetland in June because I like Shetlands music and my family is Scottish. If you think playing guitar for 44 years would help you to find a way into a guitar festival here then think again.

 

Funny thing is I have been jamming with Brian Nicholson for almost 2 months and when I contacted Shetland Arts several times without an answer I finally got an email from Bryan Peterson saying he was finalising a list for the Guitar Festival and he would consider me, and I could visit “Our Guitar Guru” Brian Nicholson. When I said I had met Brian and he was asking my advice on playing American Jazz, Bryan asked for a way to “know” about my music, I mentioned this thinking it would be enough.

 

That was July 27. A few weeks later I emailed again. Nothing. Finally I sent a CD with music from my CD. Still being ignored as of this writing. That does not bother me that much. What I find disturbing is that a young inexperienced non-musician would have the power to decide a line-up over a guitar festival in the first place.

 

Maybe this explains why he is teaching a “Pro Tools” course for adult education (pro tools is the new computer way to record music and hiring a hack to do it is not hard) is Bryan’s part time interest as well. Which is it Pro Tools computer music or Shetland Arts Music Officer?

 

As for my disease here (I have also been ignored by this lot on a Blues Festival, and the arts programme you mention Colin so the response you received seems fitting) I can only put it down to something akin to the Time Magizine article “The Death of French Culture” in 2007, and how government subsidy sucks the oxygen out of creativity in France today. Check it out.

 

Signed,

W.J. Yockey

 

Mr Yockey, since you have chosen to post your message on both the Shetland Times and Shetlink websites, I think it appropriate to respond likewise, and in addition to the email I sent to you on earlier today. I apologise for the repetition to anyone who reads my response elsewhere.

 

To put this response into context, I receive over a hundred unsolicited promotional emails, phone calls and items in the post each week from agents, bands and musicians looking for work. Regrettably, it isn’t possible to listen to every piece of music, respond to each sender and/or provide them with work. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day, although I endeavour to reply to as many people as I can.

 

The first record I have of correspondence with you is an email you sent in July seeking teaching work. I responded on 27th July, offering advice and recommending individuals and organisations for you to contact. I also requested some examples of your playing so we could consider you for inclusion at the Guitar Festival. You responded the same day stating you would copy some tracks from a CD that you would “get to” me.

 

The CD you sent did not arrive until over five weeks later, on Friday 3rd September. I picked it up from my pigeon hole the following Monday, and four days later, before I had a chance to listen properly to your CD, you posted your Internet message claiming you were being ignored.

 

Unfortunately, the programme for the mid September dates of the festival had been finalised some time before your CD arrived. However, I thank you for your submission and you will be considered for further events later in the year.

 

You state that you thought that having jammed and chatted with a renowned local guitarist would be “enough” for inclusion at the Guitar Festival. In a community with a large number of exceptionally talented guitarists, some evidence of your playing is a requirement.

 

The rest of your message contains a number of inaccuracies and assumptions, which I am happy to clarify.

 

You state that you find it “disturbing” that I, a “young inexperienced non-musician” decide on the Guitar Festival line-up. I’m 34, a musician and my levels of experience are such that my employers feel I am qualified for this job. The Guitar Festival is a Shetland Arts’ event for which I am lead officer, and I consult with a programming group on the line up. Many of the visiting artists come on the recommendation of members of the public, and examples of the recommended artists' playing are required too.

 

You then go on to criticise my interest in "computer music". Firstly, my interests and how I spend my evenings are my own business. However, it’s a subject I’m happy to talk about and it is relevant to my profession.

 

You state that “Pro Tools is the new computer way to record music” – it is in fact the industry standard audio production platform used in recording studios of all types and sizes throughout the world, the first incarnation of which was released in 1984. To give this perspective, the first commercial music CDs were produced two years earlier.

 

You refer to Pro Tools engineers as “hacks”. The Pro Tools training you refer to is being primarily delivered by two highly skilled local individuals (I'm administering the course) who have completed four separate intensive courses and the requisite exams in order to achieve the industry recognised ‘Pro Tools Operator’ status, which qualifies them to deliver the certified courses in question. They’re certainly not “hacks”!

 

The answer to your question “Which is it Pro Tools computer music or Shetland Arts Music Officer?”, is firmly ‘both’, and I’m at a loss as to why you see the two as mutually exclusive. I believe that music technology is an important aspect of music development in Shetland, hence my personal and professional interest.

 

You then go on to say that you have been ignored by “this lot” (presumably Shetland Arts?) “on a Blues Festival”. The Shetland Blues Festival is organised by an independent committee, not Shetland Arts, so I suggest you get in contact with them.

 

You finish your post with a recommendation for an article. Thanks for that, it was very interesting and I echo your recommendation. The article can be found here - http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1686532,00.html

 

Edited for spelling

[Shoogler]

Nice one Bryan