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watch & learn
7 reasons why the musicians should watch
Music and Lyrics
Music and Lyrics is a film that takes an inside look on music,
how has-been musicians survive and what it takes to sell in this
era of competitiveness. It is a film that deserves a watch from
all, especially anyone from the local music industry
By Maheen Sabeeh
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1.
Repeating success isn't easy
When a band breaks up, it is never, ever easy to repeat the same or
even a similar level of success. In Music and Lyrics, one sees Hugh
Grant as Alex Fitcher, the second-best known member of a hit eighties
pop/funk music band PoP. A successful music entity, his careers spiral
down after the lead vocalist of the band walks out. Two decades later,
he is shown to be a struggling musician who makes money off random
gigs and royalties.
Why does he struggle despite being talented? Because he was not the
face of the band. The vocalist in any band is its biggest representation,
be it videos or more importantly, concerts.
Here lies our first lesson: never kick out your vocalist unless you
have a bigger game plan. Atif and Goher Mumtaz's fallout may have
given Pakistan two names in music. But Atif commands more success
than Jal. Similar is the case with Ali Azmat and Salman Ahmed. Similar
is the case between Farooq Ahmed and Nabeel Nihaal (ex-Aaroh). The
last example is but of course, Fuzon. Shallum and Emu do have a new
vocalist and perhaps he is even good. But will he match the level
of success that came with Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan? Unlikely if not
impossible. |
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2.
Manager is crucial
Struggling Alex Fitcher is shown to be a self-absorbed man. Musicians
can be that way! But in his non-successful days, one sees his manager
who is a saviour. He scores Alex gigs and keeps the moolah rolling
in. He is also someone who knows what sells and how to keep his talented,
slightly quirky boss alive in the limelight that is now a platform
for teen sensations like Britney and Christina.
Lesson number two: Always have a decent manager who is aware of music
trends, globally and locally. Most of our local musicians have no
managers. Most musicians do everything themselves. Even when music
acts have managers, they don't know how to keep a band alive in front
of the media and sell him to organizers and sponsors. |
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3.
Evolve with time
Pop was in the eighties a great success with Alex Fitchers enjoying
tremendous success. Two decades down the line and that music is simply
old. It is the age of Cora Corman – a teen sensation who dances
like Shakira and has build her image by singing about 'Buddha Delight'
in the film.
Lesson number three: What sold three years ago will not necessarily
sell in this day and age. While the genre may remain the same, one
has to keep on evolving with every album to be a success, critically
and commercially. |
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4.
Understand the connection
Drew Barrymore plays Sophie Fisher, a born lyricist who is unaware
of her own talent until Alex brings it out. When composing music and
lyrics with him, she says, "A melody is like seeing someone for
the first time. The physical attraction. But then, as you get to know
the person, that's the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath.
It's the combination of the two that makes it magic."
Lesson number four: Work equally hard on both aspects of songwriting.
Many times, a beautiful melody gets beaten up because the word are
too clichéd or simply don't fit with the tune and vice versa.
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5. Themes
sell
While our 40-something Alex Fitcher has a small niche audience (comprising
of a slightly mature audience), it is a girl like Cora Corman who
sells. From what one sees of her in the film, she really is a cut
between Britney and Christina. But what is grabbing about her is
the image she plays out to the max. She walks, talks and lives the
karmic Buddha life that she sings about.
Lesson number five: No matter what the genre maybe, a musician has
a certain image that attracts the audience. It doesn't always mean
a stylist but some concentration on one's look isn't a bad idea.
Strings are not stylized by style gurus often but they almost always
look impeccable. It would be nice to see more local music acts make
this effort.
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6.
Music is a business
Alex and Sophie team-up to compose a song for hit teen sensation Cora
Corman in hopes of resuscitating Alex's career. Their version is a
beautiful love ballad. But when Cora adds beats to it, it turns into
a commercially acceptable but musically disoriented tune. Sophie asks
Alex to talk to Cora and he emphasizes that music is also a business
and teaming up with Cora is the way to go.
Lesson number six: Music is more than an art. Musicians must learn
to negotiate terms with record labels as well as organizers. That
doesn't mean sell-out but simply learning the tricks of this business.
And when that happens, the music industry will 'actually' turn into
a proper industry. |
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7. Music-oriented
films are fun
No matter how many times one may have seen Hugh Grant as a self-involved
but loveable British dude, he never gets boring. Be it Notting Hill
or Two Weeks Notice, he is always fun. Pair off with "the plant
lady" as she is called in the film, Drew Barrymore and it's
hilarious.
Lesson number seven: Go watch the film. It's not slapstick humour
but conversations laced with subtle insults, sarcastic comments,
light moments that will put a smile to your face. And if any film
manages to do that, it should be seen.
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