Best Of Week: "Bootleg Culture"

The best topic of this week was Bootleg Culture because of the ensuing discussion we had in class about the 'validity' of remixes and mash-ups. I am completely for these types of creative expression because I believe putting a remix together or putting a mash-up together requires more than just "Highlight, Control C, Control V, Press Play." It takes a lot more effort than that. When I listen to remixes of songs, I always note the differences because thats what makes the remix good. If the remix sounded just like the original, then I wouldn't have a care for it and would probably not bother to listen to it. But since remixes are made to sound different than the original except for the main themes, I do care about it because it shows me the interpretation of the original song that the remixer had. I appreciate that. I can connect these "interpretations" with solos and cadenzas on the violin. A well known concerto that has been played over and over by people since the times it was written years and years ago is played with different styles and musical elements by every single violinist. Every violinist puts crescendos, accents, tempo changes, volume changes, bowing changes, etc. wherever it feels right to them in the piece. This is their interpretation.

Going back to remixes and mash-ups, putting these tracks out there for the world to see should be perfectly legitimate because 1) It is a type of art, and art is meant to be shared and interpreted in their own way by everyone and 2) It is a form of "original song advertising" because listeners of remixes and mash-ups wonder what the original songs are, and end up looking them up and checking them out as well. If they like the original song and the original band, the remixer has successfully shared his/her own art while simultaneously advertising for the original artist, benefiting both.

Mash-ups and remixes are not simply 'cut, copy, and paste.' They take time, effort, and a grasp of music theory as well if they are to appeal to the listener. In an age of widespread opportunity to get your hands on audio editing software, they are inevitable and should be welcomed instead of shunned.