Spinner

Billy Corgan: Major Labels Have 'Squeezed the Excitement Out of Music'

Andrew H. Walker, WireImage

Lazy isn't an adjective you'd automatically connect to Billy Corgan. After all, the Smashing Pumpkins mastermind just released another EP in his ongoing and highly ambitious 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' series. But according to the man himself, indolence and a stubborn streak are second nature to him.

"I'm naturally lazy," Corgan declares to Spinner. "I have to dangle my own carrot. If someone else tries to carrot me, I'm a total rebel and I'll destroy it. If it's my own carrot and my own stick, then I think I'll be OK with it."
A big motivation for Corgan is the freedom to release music digitally via the Pumpkins' website for free and the sense of community it's reintroducing to the music scene. "I like the idea that there's no prohibition in listening," he says. "I grew up in the '70s and listening to the radio was important. We all listened and we all had a common experience. Whether it's like Boston's 'More Than a Feeling' or whatever, you were like, yeah, I know that song too. We've kind of lost that.

"Something about the need for the major label system to corner the market has squeezed the excitement out of music," he adds. "It's almost like the restaurant where the prices are too high -- you can't enjoy your food. You feel like you're getting ripped off, but you don't know why. Fans overall have rebelled."

Corgan is very passionate about both the old and new music business models. "Most people don't sit around and intellectualize it as much as I do," he says. "They should. The last 10 years, there's plenty of evidence that people don't want to buy music the way they once did. I don't know how many different ways people can tell [the music business] that."

Currently, the main problem Corgan sees in music is a lack of risk and a status quo where the blind are leading the bland. "My caveat is that now we have a system of middle-of-the-road non-risk-takers that seem to be risk-takers but aren't really," he says. "It's systemically rewarding the wrong end of the art world."

Smashing Pumpkins Perform 'Tom Tom'

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Nick

Billy owes the 90s record industry everything. He also owes his producers alot. If the pumpkins were trying to break into the business with the music they're producing now, no chance.

December 31 2010 at 10:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Nick's comment
JDM2020

I have to agree with commonsense on this point, music has gone down a real cul de sac in the last seven years or so. I can't think of anything that's been released this year that has been full of genuine creativity, exciting or refreshing. I'm not sure its the major's fault entirely? Bands don't push each other any longer, its rehash after rehash, and there's no genuine bands emerging who have anything to say or have a manifesto. Its all so safe and uninspired. Did music reach its creative peak in the 90's? I doubt we'll ever see the days of records being released along the lines of 'Screamadelica', 'OK Computer', 'Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space' and 'Mezzanine' again. Championing bands like The Drums is just a backwards step and show's just how insipid things have become.

December 31 2010 at 6:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pat

It's a tough business but at least now musicians have the ability to distribute their music worldwide for free. That's a huge step in the right direction, and I'm glad bands like the smashing pumpkins are really taking advantage of it. The internet is a great tool for upcoming bands, but there's still the problem of building perceived value of your band. At least now it's all in the hands of the people.

I think now it's more true than ever that if your music is GOOD you will make it, eventually.

December 30 2010 at 2:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Luke

I think Billy kinda missed the mark when he said that the price is turning consumers off of buying music. The current price of CDs has not really gone up in over a decade. The real problem, at least with people I know who talk about it, is that there is a serious lack of creativity. It is the same sound over and over. Take for example Pearl Jam. The record companies killed Peral Jam by marketing so many other bands that sounded just like them - to make money. There is nothing current out there that I would buy. It's really lame monkeys@#t. All the rap and house music that is so pumped up with image and fantasy. It all sounds the same. Aerosmith, AC/DC, U2 should retire. People are paying for the name not good music.

What happened to the sixties when bands tried to develop their own sound - instead of copying someone elses just so they can cash in on a market.

December 30 2010 at 9:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
damienguitar

i believe if someone feels a piece of art is of value they will buy it as well as download it from the high seas !!
if it is ego-centered and has little substance then it will stay on the hard drive of the masses ....

most artists think their music is the "real deal" thats what the record companies will tell them to sell their records. if you truely value it , you will buy it.
if it panders to your ego you are less likely to in this day and age .

December 30 2010 at 7:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Richard Longstaff

The freedom enjoyed by Billy is all well and good but how do upcoming
bands take advantage of alternate routes of delivery for their music?

December 29 2010 at 8:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Richard Longstaff

The freedom enjoyed by Billy is all well and good but how do upcoming bands take advantage of alternate routes of delivery for their music?

December 29 2010 at 8:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply