A Day Off from Music Discourse
a.k.a. No matter how much you love electronic music, there are days—like today—when the conversations about it don't feel terribly important.
The thing about having a newsletter that goes out on Tuesdays is that every four years, my publication schedule coincides with the US presidential election.
I’d love to think that doesn’t matter, but of course it does, and that makes it hard to proceed with business as usual. Are you really interested in reading some long-form article about electronic music today? As much as I take my work seriously, and actively push back against the (still alarmingly widespread) notion that electronic music culture amounts to little more than pounding kick drums and drug-addled debauchery, there are days where even I have to admit that none of it—not the music, not the industry and definitely not the “discourse”—is all that important in the grand scheme of things.
Today is one of those days.
Am I being overly American about this? Probably. We do have a terrible habit of making ourselves the center of the universe, and often compound the situation by assuming that everyone else on the planet feels the exact same way. Considering that I haven’t lived in the US for almost a decade now, perhaps I should feel less invested in what happens today, or at least not let it affect my work, but old habits die hard. (It doesn’t help that I got my degree in political science.)
I know that people don’t generally come to First Floor for political commentary, particularly when that commentary doesn’t specifically relate to electronic music. Although I do still venture into that “lane” on occasion—just a few months ago, I published an extended conversation with writer / journalist Vincent Bevins about mass protest movements and politicization within creative subcultures—I’m not going to suddenly offer up some lengthy diatribe about American presidential politics. I will say that I voted for Kamala Harris. I hope she wins, mostly because I’m profoundly concerned about what will happen—both in the US and around the world—if she doesn’t. Coming from me, a California-born music journalist who resides in Barcelona, none of that is likely to be terribly surprising, and if I were to poll First Floor readers about their thoughts on the election, I’m guessing that most of them see things pretty similarly. (I’m also certain that the ones who don’t will make sure to let me know in the days ahead. RIP my inbox.)
If you want deeper analysis, there is no shortage of people and publications providing wall-to-wall commentary and coverage. I’ll be reading and watching many of them myself today, doing my best to follow what’s happening (and hopefully find some relief) during a moment when the daily political discourse is sure to be even noisier than usual. I did consider adding to that noise, not with political commentary, but with a “normal” edition of the newsletter. But the more I thought about the prospect of trying to direct First Floor readers toward an interview with some artist talking about their “creative journey,” or one of my essays about nefarious music industry machinations, the more silly it felt.
“Hey everyone, I know that the leadership of the most powerful country in the world hangs in the balance today, and you’re probably feeling anxious about that, but please read my latest deep dive about … electronic music.”
No, I don’t want to be that guy. I refuse to be that guy.
If you’re still reading this, I do appreciate your indulgence of my public hand-wringing. But please, read something else today. (Preferably something substantive from a well-resourced, fact-oriented media outlet.) And if you’re an American who hasn’t voted yet, go do that. It’s important.
As for First Floor, I will be back on Thursday with the regularly scheduled weekly digest, irrespective of what happens with the election. When it comes to electronic music, there’s still plenty to talk about, but right now, it can wait.
Shawn Reynaldo is a freelance writer, editor, presenter and project manager. Find him on LinkedIn and Twitter, or you can just drop him an email to get in touch about projects, collaborations or potential work opportunities.