A Response

Re: Music and Politics

You're thinking too big. No song has ever convinced a politician to stand up in congress, but while music may not usually play an active role, you can't deny the dialogical power of music as a form of discourse. But then again, if you think that politicians can actually create real social change, then we have bigger problems here (democracy has existed in America for 250 years, look where we are now). Reflection precedes ideas, ideas preceded action, and then action precedes reflection again. People need to shape their ideas somehow, and you can bet your ass politicians and the "main stage" players don't help (Live 8, by the way, is merely a way for disgustingly wealthy musicians to hide behind petty philanthropy to justify their own corporate activities). If you've really lost faith, come to a house show on Lombard some time. It may be dirty and smelly, but there still is an active musical culture that isn't just a shitty appendage of capitalism. -ds