The relationship between
journalists and musicians should somewhat be ordinarily symbiotic. While in
most instances such is the case, in other situations it tends to be toxic.
There might be a number
of factors. I have heard journalists describing one musician of holding an
inconspicuous talent that does not deserve any allusion in the space of a
newspaper or a mention in broadcast. On the other hand, I have also heard
musicians declaring that they cannot work with journalist X because he is full
of himself and looks down upon them or does not know how to write.
Close to a decade that I
have been writing about music, I have had a fair share of a not so gratifying
relationship. Of course I am neither meant to be pleasing anybody nor
maliciously demoralise anybody who is trying to make a name in music. However
in trying to state facts as they are I have managed to ruffle some feathers.
In short, efforts
applied by journalists and musicians on behalf of either's consumers is supposed
to be synergetic because they basically serve the same constituency.
No wonder because
musicians think they need journalists more, others have tried to buy their way
to fame. However for those musicians that have made a name, it has been the
other way round where journalists have jostled their way in just to earn the
musician's attention in order to write something about them that will raise
their professional bar.
Much as one finds that
musicians will try their best to befriend DJs and VJs in radio and television
stations respectively, they pretty much know that even this has to be turned
into an entertainment story of some kind. This is the reason they will nevertheless
turn to journalists next.
The musicians love to
see journalists covering their live performances. It usually is meant to
increase their fan base and appeal to potential patronage as this means if they
failed to show up at their show, a better review will make people feel they
lost out and would not exchange another opportunity for anything in the world
as they will make a date with the artist next time she is performing again.
Talking about live
performances, these are sometimes places where relationship between journalists
and the musicians have also been built or destroyed.
There are several
players at such events whose aim is to play different roles to allow for a
smooth execution of the event. There are security people, the musicians, and
show organisers etc. who want to be the in charge at the show.
The security personnel are
the worst savages at these shows. They also feel validated with the authority
handed down to them that they do not hesitate to rough up a patron they assume
is causing trouble. I have attended musical shows where journalists who had
arrived with their Cameras to cover musical shows were physically assaulted by
the security people just because they showed an ID instead of paying the
entrance fee.
May be once or twice I
have gained entrance into a musical show based on my work but most of the times
I pay using my own resources. Ordinarily, the mutual take between the musicians
and journalists is that they need to use the live performances as an
investment. This is why the musicians set to cover musical shows are given tour
of the venue by the musicians or organisers just to appreciate it for better
coverage.
Journalists are forced
to explain to the security persons manning the gate, that they have different
interests. But they still tend to be rude and brutal most of the times. Yes
there are a number of imitators masquerading as journalists but it is not so
hard to wait for organisers and the musicians to help such places.
Like political rallies,
when the musical concerts have ended that's when the work of the journalists
begin. The organising team ought to tell these ruffians manning venue security
the importance of journalists in as far as the career of musicians is
concerned.
