Author: EJ
Date: 01-30-12 22:40
Marzz - let me comment on your earlier post, we can pursue any topic here that we want... The Zealots Lounge is a slightly comedic name for an important concept. You don't really have to be "zealous" about what I do to support the concept.
The fact is that musicians such as myself have a very hard time doing what we do. Quite frankly, the industry doesn't care about what we do; the public generally couldn't care less about what we do. Unlike the institutional support given to jazz, the blues, to classical, to opera, to Broadway musicals... there is no institutional support for musicians like me. Maybe a handful of prog-rock festivals, but nothing to pay the mortgage.
So how does one do this, try to innovate, try to move things forward, try to remain being a relatively uncompromising 'artist,' try to make a living and put my boy through college, when everyone wants everything for free; to replay the old; when TV, radio, concert promoters, ASCAP, the Grammys, oh yes, and the public (did I mention the public?) only care about the big moneymakers - the 'hits' - the brands? Good... bad... it makes no difference. When even the Zealots pre-sale passwords end up online, and even the Lounge content shows up on Bit Torrent...
Well, one way is to continue to turn to the few folks who truly appreciate the standards that musicians like myself try to maintain. I have described the Lounge as being something akin to the days of Bach or even Tchaikovsky - a method to be sponsored by my supporters. I try to provide free music, videos, news, meet-and-greet events, ticket pre-sales etc. exclusively to my true supporters, for the very reasonable stipend of $25 a year (it just went up in January, but only for new members). I don't really consider myself in the 'retail' business anymore; I work for the Zealots. I am also presently even reenacting the 'UK' brand simply to help fund new ideas - as hard as that still is.
Your post suggests that there is something not wholesome about the Lounge idea, that it is way beneath you to become a 'fan-boy.' That you're not going to part with your money to make some rock-star richer... If any of this is even remotely true, let me suggest to you that you may be missing the point. We are simply trying to build a community of like-minded folks with similar tastes, and a compassion to lend their support to someone who has being trying to function outside of the system (and occasionally inside of it) for 40 years.
As Lenore dutifully points out, if you would like to show your ongoing support, you can do so anytime at http://www.zealotslounge.com. Either way, I look forward to meeting you in Phoenix at the soundcheck/meet-and-greet, both of which, incidentally, you probably paid 50 bucks for and could have had for free if you were a member of the lounge.
EJ
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