To be or not to be

For the past years I have always wrestled with the idea of what it really is all about to be a musician. I have come to a kind of temporary conclusion that the definition might reside in two camps. Musicians can be creators and they can be replicators. The former requiring only an environment in which to allow creative forces to be fostered and hopefully recorded in some fashion. The latter is the public performance of other artists creations. As writers The Chards would be categorised in the former "creators" category.

Having embraced the idea that music is a creative endeavour it is hardly surprising that we are a collective that focusing on performing and recording material that we create. Not to say that there may be occasions when a cover might be considered either in a live performance situation or a recoded situation. However these covers would be in the form of a homage to inspirations.

It is sad to see so many musicians who find themselves being drawn into cover band situations in order to earn a wage. But possibly the more insidious development is what has become know as the "tribute band" phenomena. This is a concept where a band replicates itself on the repertoire and image of a previously highly successful band. Even to the extent of naming such a band the can clearly be identified with the band they are replicating. And to add further to this parasitical strategy is the adoption of costume and stage props and other items to further market the pretence.

A journey in music begins in most circumstances by being influenced at an age where desire and energy is in abundance. And like most fields of endeavour we learn from those that come before us to hopefully take it to the next level. To learn, to create, to influence and to pass on to those that come next. If this is indeed the timeline for artistic creativity then what is it that gets passed on with tribute bands? Does the next generation simply become tribute bands of tribute bands. Do contemporary musician have a duty to use there skills and art to address the art form of creativity and not just earning a wage?

The recent pandemic which has struck the world and closed down borders has seriously affected the entrainment industries as a whole as well as many other industries. The closure of many venues led to performers being unemployed. However, for those who create, the internet is and has always been a forum for marketing and distributing their art form. And the internet should be a place for originality. A forum where discerning audiences can seek out what they desire. And yet there are those with the resources who now record and create videos of themselves doing cover songs almost note perfect to the originals. Albeit very polished musicianship there stills remains the question of ... Why? And yet people wax lyrical of such a great act because they play the cover so perfectly. What is the purpose of such transparent activities?

We at "camp Chards" will continue in our efforts to write and present original music as best we can. We will deliver honest and open messages and speak from the heart. We will always be aware of the contrived industry environment in which we operate in but will hold fast to the conviction that to us music is about a growth, not in dollars but in artistic credibility.