Talent is a Country Club

[Kiki]

Talent is a Country Club in the realms of music.

The word "Talent" has been abused so greatly that some people consider "this band/artist has got talent" to mean the same thing as "I like this band/artist". The two can be interchangeably in their mind.

An artist/band the above people dislike/hate is "untalented" by default. I mean, a "talented artist" would surely hit all their buttons! If the artist was "talented" there is a 100% chance they would like the music!

It gets worse... the whole idea of "Talent" maybe stifling music itself!

To the underground peeps with their "lo-fi" and their "indie" the idea of talent is equal to intelligence. Intelligence is equal to making "good music". Therefore, to some, making the most hideous, unintelligible, monotonous noise possible means they are intelligent. Being intelligent makes them "talented".

To these people a catchy pop song is "untalented" simply because it is "catchy" and therefore "derivative"

And then there are the classical rockers. You could easily throw in the attitude of the some metal fans with these. They decide "talent" is measured by making the most complex and hard to play music possible. Fair play, the original meaning for being "talented" did have something to do with skill. The problem lies in the fact it is the 'be all end all' to them. Making a 4 minute 50 second song a fan favorite using two chords all the way through is "not talented". It simply means the person is "untalented" with the guitar.

To these people you are "untalented" not only if you are unable to play an instrument but because you are not using every trick in the book on it.

Finally... there are the chart toppers. The big cash cows for the record companies and the ones which are mostly deemed big enough to be called "celebrities". One of the above groups had more "celebrities" in the past while the other considers "celebrities" "untalented" by default... although they can hoodwinked with PR and a record company playing their cards extremely well.

These angels... these mighty saviors are usually the cream of the crop from a bunch of wannabies and as a result are very good at what they do. Competition is VERY tough and by getting to the top of the charts they lay the greatest claim to being called "talented". However... this isn't without a problem. The equation is sometimes changed from is talented > becomes famous and into is famous > becomes "talented"
Like how a celebrity has to only throw temper tantrum, toss a bin over or be extremely misogynistic to get the title of "genius" thrown at them by a fellow celebrity, the word "talent" is synonymous with "worthy". These are the angels, they live in the sky cities, you are not "talented" because you don't belong with them. Step into the X-Factor auditions with grave reverence. These are the "talented" people.

To these people, music is best left to the people in the clouds. YOU. ARE. NOT. WORTHY.

Talent... is a Country Club.

[Kiki]

The above is all very rough writing and possibly still a draft. Plus I forgot to mention "sales" anywhere in it. That could have given good results.

Down with the word "Talent"

Down with the word "Talent"

Down with the word "Talent"

etc etc

[Happymeal]

So......nothing new?

[Jasonconfused]

Someone once told me "The music business isn't about how good you are, or even who you know. It's about who you suck. So get used to the taste of dick."
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[Guest]

I basically agree with the OP. Good points, well made.