i want to believe in the future of the country as much as i believe in the future of music
Tuesday was midterm elections, and it went quite well for Democrats. People on television screens pointed at their own screens, which displayed large swathes of blue. My friends went nuts posting celebratory graphics of milestones for underrepresented populations finally getting represented in office, as well as rude and funny memes ("we're digging up charlie kirk and doing it again" "the I Voted sticker stays on during sex tonight"). It was, broadly, a nationwide rejection of the past couple of years of hell—hell for trans people, hell for Palestinians, hell for women in general.
And I felt pretty bleh! It's just hard for me to get excited about this stuff these days. My enthusiasm has been so beaten down by the nonstop bad news from the Trump admin, and from the way Democrats keep kind of rolling over and dying in response to any kind of stimuli. I also peaked so hard that time I watched a rainbow in the sky over Vegas after Bernie won Nevada that it's like I blew out my election neurotransmitters and haven't quite recovered them ever since. I have friends who work on political campaigns and they are simply built different—nothing but respect for the people who surf the wave every damn day.
Why am I even thinking of being mopey after all this jubilance?? I thought about it and realized my attitude toward the future of the United States doesn't resemble my attitude about music, which is weird because "the country" and "music" both feel like they're always one bad move away from total implosion. There is a lot to be potentially depressed about with music these days—major labels investing in AI, streaming platform exploitation, private equity overtaking music catalogs, marketing psy-op allegations, the high cost of living killing arts scenes, the long slow almost-death of music media—but I, for some reason, am not depressed about any of it. I believe in the future of music. Why wouldn't I?
I'm not a cynical music industry lifer, and I'm not a thirsty aficionado clamouring for clout. I do this for the love of the game every day, and as a result, I get to enjoy. People send me the music they make, and I am able to listen to it. Other people tell me about the music they love, and I am inspired by their love. My blog lets me connect to people from all over, and these connections make my life better.
When I think about "the country," I feel small and insignificant, unable to make a meaningful difference. But when I think about "music," I feel energized and purposeful, a humble participant in a large ecosystem of creation and enjoyment. So what would happen if I brought my attitude about music to the political zone? It would be a large shift in mindset, but it seems like it would be worth it. Let me know if you have any tips.
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