Art is Dead

My wife and I are currently living near Clemson, SC. A local publication called Bootleg Magazine ran a cover story last month that asked this question: Is the Clemson music scene dead or alive?

The answer folks, is it's dead. Very dead. Actually, calling it dead is doing it a favor, because death implies that there was life at some point. Not true of the Clemson music scene.

The funny thing is there is evidence of this fact in the very article that asks the question. Here's a quote: "Clemson-area bands in rotation include: By’r Lady, GoodE J, The Wildlife Series, Battlecock, Together By Death, Today We Escape and Dirt Pretty."

The Wildlife Series? Dirt Pretty? Battlecock? I rest my case.

The event that spurred this article, which I was extremely disappointed about, was the closing of Black Dog Music, Clemson's only independent (scratch that - "only") record store. It was definitely my favorite store in Clemson during college. I got a lot of my vinyl collection there, for remarkably good prices. I'm kicking myself now for the countless records I passed on each time I was there, thinking I would buy them later when I had more money. The article had some interesting comments by the WSBF (the local college radio station) on the subject:

However, WSBF station manager Cam Taylor doesn’t view Black Dog’s exit as apocalyptic. He cited the store’s high prices and lack of involvement with local music events as the main reasons Black Dog won’t leave a gaping hole.

“I honestly don’t think that Black Dog added much of anything to the scene here,” Taylor said via e-mail. “It sucks they closed because it was great to have an independent record store here, but we must keep in mind this happening across the country. Aside from the actual availability of music product in Clemson, the quality and quantity of bands coming to this area has only increased.

“Of course, there are still tons of shitty bands that look at Clemson as a ‘target college market’ and stop by to play at ClemsonLive events or at bro-bars downtown. But many other bands are realizing that it is both a convenient place to tour, and a great place where we have a strong musical following and treat bands very well.”

Give me a break. The only independent record store in Clemson closes and the music scene is doing fine? And I'm afraid all independent record stores have high prices - that's the only way they can stay in business. Oh and please let me know when these "quality bands" come through in increasing numbers (Dylan/Costello/Lee being a notable exception). I'd like to hear them, especially with this "strong musical following" that apparently exists here.

The sad fact of course is that WSBF is as ever completely out of touch not only with the deceased music scene in Clemson, but just music in general. Ten minutes with your dial on 88.1FM should be enough to show you that the station sticks very closely to its principles of playing exclusively terrible, esoteric shlock that is intended to be enjoyed only by the elite station members, which consequently is the only audience it garners. The truth is that the "quality bands" and "musical following" Taylor mentions are of course the terrible bands that WSBF brings to campus, whose concerts are attended only by the voluminous "musical following" of the WSBF staff.

The even harder truth here, which hurts me deeply, is this town just can't seem to support local music. And it's not just music, either. An appreciation for art in general in Clemson seems rare, underground, dead, or dying. The Clemson community just hasn't any interest in it. I understand it's a football culture that's overwhelmingly conservative and athletics-driven, but so is Athens, Ga and they seem to have no problem supporting one of the best music scenes in the country. What gives? I wish I understood. As it is, all I can conclude is that I know I won't be able to stay here forever. I deeply desire the art, music, and culture this town seems to deem unimportant.