I wanted to announce my intention to take a more or less complete break from reviewing new music during 2008 for the purpose of allowing myself more time to concentrate on the Rowe biography. I figured I'd post it prominently here in lieu of trying to think of all the musicians and/or labels likely to send things my way; I'll also post it on the blog.
It's a tough decision on several levels. I love doing the write-ups, I love hearing the music. I'm in the minority camp that thinks more is good, so I really do enjoy hearing new things, even if I ultimately don't care for them. I'm also concerned that this gap, small though it may be, won't be filled which would be extremely unfortunate. I seriously hope that one or more individuals steps up and covers for Bags many of the same areas I've tended to.
But the time constraints have become tougher and tougher. Working a "regular" job, having a wife, dog and household duties, I have only so much I can devote to writing activities. In the evenings, doing reviews has often been "easier" than working on the biography simply because they can be done in bite-sized chunks. But the book, delayed enough as is, has suffered and I'd very much like to get it completed in a semi-reasonable amount of time.
I said "more or less" above. I don't doubt that there will be one or a handful of releases I'll feel compelled to write about and may do so. Plus, I committed to do some work for Squid's Ear where I can pick and choose from a list, keeping things manageable. But for all those musicians and labels who have graciously sent their wares my way over the last several years, I can no longer promise to write about them. At least for 2008. We'll see what happens after that. Anyone with whom I've had prior communication on stuff I've agreed to receive will, of course, get the write-up, so there are still a few things in the pipeline. But after this, no promises!
I will, of course, continue hanging around here and other boards, freely commenting.
Thanks for everything, to the musicians, to Derek for keeping this place going.
Posted by Brian Olewnick on December 24, 2007 6:35 AMThat's a shame Brian, but I guess if it means that damned book gets written a bit quicker then its a good decision!
I'll try and write a few things to pick up the slack a little, but it will take several people to match your output I fear. Any other takers?
Posted by: Richard Pinnell at December 24, 2007 1:38 PMThat's a shame Brian, but I guess if it means that damned book gets written a bit quicker then its a good decision!
I'll try and write a few things to pick up the slack a little, but it will take several people to match your output I fear. Any other takers?
Posted by: Richard Pinnell at December 24, 2007 1:40 PMNow thats one way of filling the gap left by Brian, just post the same thing several times....
Posted by: Richard Pinnell at December 24, 2007 1:49 PMIs this the end of Zombie Ollie?
Kinda sucks, B. Good luck with the book
Posted by: SOZ at December 24, 2007 8:41 PMBrian
looking forward to the book and to reading your reviews again soon.
What do we have here, a virus? No more Paris Transatlantic, Brian's sabbatical, Wire at an all-time low...What next?
Posted by: Massimo Ricci at December 24, 2007 10:00 PM
All we need is for Derek to retire.. Looks like you're The Last Man Left Alive, Massimo.. (whaddya mean, Wire at all-time low? Didn't you see how many things I wrote for it this year? haha)
Meanwhile, Happy Christmas y'all
Sorry to hear that, Brian, but I greatly look forward to the book!
Incidentally (re: Massimo) what's wrong with The Wire lately? I haven't picked up an issue for ages so I wouldn't know. I used to read it religiously in the 1990s but kinda lost interest after a while.
Posted by: nd at December 25, 2007 6:45 AM"whaddya mean, Wire at all-time low? Didn't you see how many things I wrote for it this year? haha"
Dan (cc Nate): I mean exactly what I typed. Honest: yours rank among the writings that don't sound like "gotta meet the deadline at any cost" in the last couple of Wire years. More specifically: less incisive reviews, increasingly "trendy" attitude, frequent misinformation, evident boycott of certain artists. Shall I go on? There's still good stuff to be found in there of course, but for my personal standards as a subscribing reader the magazine is slowly but steadily declining.
Er....Happy Holidays from The Grinch!
Posted by: Massimo Ricci at December 25, 2007 10:28 AMBest wishes for much success with the book, Brian!
Posted by: Bill Barton at January 1, 2008 10:08 PMI am totally bummed and will miss your contributions. But I understand the need to focus.
j
Posted by: jared at January 3, 2008 4:28 PMcoming at this a bit late, but. . let me add my voice to the chorus. i am of course very excited about the prospect of this book (do you have a publisher yet?), but i will also very much miss your reviews. aside from the generous and nice things you've had to say about some recordings i've been involved with, i've always found your writings quite insightful, and providing an all-too-rare description of what is *actually going on* in the aesthetics of what you describe. good luck with the book and the break!
Posted by: jesse kudler at January 12, 2008 7:32 PMThanks Jesse. Hope to see you tomorrow at the Knit.
Posted by: Brian Olewnick at January 13, 2008 4:35 AMcoming at this a bit late, but. . let me add my voice to the chorus. i am of course very excited about the prospect of this book (do you have a publisher yet?), but i will also very much miss your reviews. aside from the generous and nice things you've had to say about some recordings i've been involved with, i've always found your writings quite insightful, and providing an all-too-rare description of what is *actually going on* in the aesthetics of what you describe. good luck with the book and the break!
Posted by: jesse kudler at January 13, 2008 12:34 PMargh! what's up with the post form freezing? and then my posts go through twice? anyways. . yes, would be great to see you, brian!
Posted by: jesse kudler at January 13, 2008 12:58 PMClearly you don't post here that often Jesse...;)
Its these little nuances that sets Bags apart from all other websites ;)
Posted by: Richard Pinnell at January 13, 2008 2:29 PMI second everything Jesse wrote, Brian.
Posted by: Matt Mitchell at January 13, 2008 3:45 PMkeep up the good work, Brian, strong support from me, get that book done already, so people can read it finally.
Posted by: coke escovedo at February 28, 2008 5:33 AM.................................................. © 2003 - 2006 bagatellen ..................................................