Music Blahg

City Slang: DMA Thoughts

May 2, 2012
By

OK, I’m not going to drag this on. I’ve sat and thought about how to reword what I wrote about the Detroit Music Awards in the pages of the Metro Times last year and, no matter what I do, it feels like I’m repeating myself. So, to summarize, the performances were mostly really good. The handing out of awards, or at least those handed out at the main ceremony at the Fillmore, was underwhelming.

There’s plenty of chatter on the internet about how the DMA’s are a joke. I don’t think they are a joke, but something has to be done to encourage the award organizers to help celebrate the huge depth of talent we have here.

Now see, I’m repeating myself already. Jeez, Eve Doster wrote pretty much that very thing for us back in 2007, and I’m sure people were saying it before then.

But it’s true. If the past few years are to be believed, Jill Jack and Carolyn Striho are the only acoustic singer / songwriter-y types worth giving a crap about around here. I like Carolyn and Jill, but nothing could be further from the truth.

There’s a metal category that doesn’t include Battlecross, who this year signed with Metal Blade Records and toured the country with some of the biggest names in the genre, not to mention the Black Dahlia Murder.

That’s why people get angry. Look at last year’s nominees and this year’s, and it’s very, very close to the same list. Then Striho, Jack and Ty Stone simply swap awards.

Again, no offense to the people that won. They are all awesome. But the simple truth is as follows – justify it how you want, but to be taken seriously across the board the awards has to introduce some sort of “spirit of rotation”.

On the plus side, the performances were great. The Pleasure Seekers rolled back the years despite missing their most famous sibling, Black Milk killed it early on, and Savage Grace, backed by the Grande Ballroom All-Stars threw down some classic Detroit rock.

But if there has to be a star, it was undoubtedly Amy Gore, performing with both Gorevette and Her Valentines. There are few songwriters not just in Detroit but in the world right now who can write songs as fun, gritty and downright dance-worthy as Gore and, whether she was flanked by Jackson Smith or Nikki Corvette, Gore simply ruled the night. On a night when the awards were being dished out all over the place, Amy Gore looked like the real winner.

I still have big hopes and an open mind that next year will be better.

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  • JJ

    You may want to start with Seanmoor’s group. And in all honesty I think we both know that people reach out to you all the time. Perhaps you should start there. Furthermore you guys host the Blowout so how can you be at a loss for music to cover? no doubt you get 1000′s of entries for that I would imagine that is a pretty full window into what people are doing out there? Idk know what else to say, with all due respect it is really up to you to be more inclusive than you have been given your position.

  • Brett Callwood

     People do reach out to me all the time, and I cover most of them. As for the Blowout, that’s Christmas for me. I cover as much of it as I can. Of course, City Slang isn’t just about that. I make sure I cover jazz, classical, blues, punk, metal, indie, etc, etc. But good try, sir. Good try.

  • Greg Upshur

    UhhM YA,
    I have to say being new to the scene, and recently  observing the DMA’s on the net..there seemed to be a very small circle . I was surprised  by how little activity there is on their social internet sites. …..especially during off season.
    It was very difficult for anyone new to their site to get through the mismanaged maze they set up to cast a vote{ which I pointed out to them}…with no reply back.
    When searching for Award results for this year on their site..they were still not posted days after the event” Hello…should have been up simultaneously.
    Its’ cool that someone is trying to do something with” The Scene”, but not sure of their understanding.. or how current they are. I would suggest they hire a savvy internet researcher/marketer…along with a field talent agent .

    Nice job on article the Brett . Hope you won the” Entertainment Journalist Award”????

  • JJ

    I sense a bit of sarcasm in your tone, sorry, you asked for feedback and I gave it to you. Regarding the Blow Out I am confused because you claim it is Christmas for you but so many of those bands in the past few years have never been featured and they have gone on to either grow or accomplish some pretty exciting things. Here is a tip: Why don’t you focus on those bands that do not get selected to play the prime time Friday and Saturday night slots? Why is it that The Cobras always play on Saturday night at the Hall? Because they need the exposure? Truth is it is because, like other groups in this city, they are in the “club”.  To make matters worse, you have recently run some pieces that are glaring evidence that you knew nothing about the subject or genre you were writing about. It is your business to verify information before you print it. I have also noticed that  you have a love affair with the phrase “according to a document” fyi this does not excuse you from verifying any claims in said document. Failure to do so is lazy and has been instrumental in false reporting on your part.  Furthermore,  whoever writes the band bios for the Blowout should take time to learn about the bands they are describing. some of the bios I have read do not encourage me to go see that band but I have gone  anyway and have been glad that I did. So-much-so that I will purposely look for those luke warm bios as a way of selecting who I go see. That is NOT something you guys should be proud of. Do not think it goes unnoticed because there are many of us who remember when the Metro Times was actually a progressive publication and gave props to so many artists. How is it possible for a band to be around for 17 YEARS, win 6 or 7 DMA awards and never get featured in your blog or column? if you “so DESPARATELY try to cover” as much as you can? really?   It appears to many of us that someone has fallen asleep at the wheel. It is time for you to wake up and realize that you are part of the problem. You have 2 choices: be a man and own your part in this AND RIGHT IT or throw a tantrum like a spoiled little hipster, dismiss us all as “bitter”, and continue the MT charade.  We are all waiting and watching. Don’t ask for feedback  and then get your panties in a knot because someone is honest with you. Good Day.

  • Brett Callwood

     No sarcasm, we genuinely appreciate your feedback and you are of course entitled to your opinions. I just don’t agree with them. Around the Blowout, I wrote features on bands like Sex Police, the Read Spicolis and Destroy This Place. I’m happy that I delve into the underground. As for not knowing my subject matter, that’s laughable. Finally, there’s a difference between the features and the blogs. I feel that it’s acceptable to reference press releases on my blogs, because I’m just passing on news. I go in depth with the features. But again, thank you. I’m always looking to improve, but I’m happy that I’m doing the right things. Any genuine tips, put forward in a friendly manner, will always be accepted. Oh, and I agree that Sean’s band Cybertrybe should get coverage. I’m on that.

  • Brett Callwood

     Thanks Greg.

  • MT SUX!!!!

    SO TRUE!!! LOOKN ABOVE & BELOW BRETT & FOOLIN’ NOBODY!!!  MT IS A JOKE!!! HEARD IT ON THE STREET TODAY! THE PEOPLE SPEAK!….WATCH OUT!…..

  • MTSUX

    SO TRUE!!! LOOKN ABOVE & BELOW BRETT & FOOLIN’ NOBODY!!!  MT IS A JOKE!!! HEARD IT ON THE STREET TODAY! THE PEOPLE SPEAK!….WATCH OUT!…..

  • Jmoran

    passing on “news” more like passing on BS…you lazyÂ
    mo-fucka! “i want your feedback” but if one  nails your ass it is “laughable”??? seriously???? We are MANY, and it is YOU who have a problem! Brett U.R.A. MORON!!!  exactly how  BIG is that bubble of self-rightousness you got goin’ on?  if you were a Drag Queen we would name you “Queen of De-Nile” you a FOOL Nigga…good thing you’re finally gettin on the Cybertrybe bandwagon! Way to keep it real,mod and current…it only took 17 YEARS and JJ’s prodding….be PROUD OF YOURSELF…you got it goin on! lol…i laugh because THAT is truly LAUGHABLE…getover yourself….

  • benzingabrett

    Thank you for your feedback, Mr. Sux.

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