Veneer

Ok, if you’ll indulge me here… was watching TV tonight, and thought I’d write this down. Then… mmmmmm… thought I’d share it with you. :)

Ok, so when I was 11 or 12… I learned the term ‘veneer.’ If you aren’t already familiar, at its core, it means… ‘A thin surface layer, as of finely grained wood, glued to a base of inferior material.’

Basically… a smart looking exterior masking an interior made of… crap. :)

Sooooo, why did I learn this term? Because it was a popular surface material in kitchens, etc. in the 80′s. And… growing up in the 80′s… my kitchen had more than its share of veneer. :) (yours as well, maybe? :))

Ok, so why am I bringing this up? Because, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how fitting the term truly is for so much of what we see in everyday society. A shiny exterior ever-so-slightly hiding an interior of something less than impressive.

In my own career, it really has come to embody so much of how I see the music and entertainment industry. Do I think everyone in the industry is bad? No. Not at all. There are good people in this industry. Really, there are. And, I’ve met them many times over. The songwriter out to write true life experience through song… the label president who wants to balance good business with passion for music… hell, even the A&R guy who truly does want to find the next great artist… sales be damned.

But, for every one of those, I’ve met many… MANY… who would sell their mother down the river for a buck. They don’t care about music, they don’t care about art, they don’t care about helping you feel ANYTHING…… They care only about making money. About using you to get what they want.

And, for those people… I have nothing but contempt. F*** them. Seriously… FUCK THEM.

Because, ya know what? I have something to say. And, YOU have something to say. And, permitting a ‘gatekeeper’ of sorts… especially one who’s earned not even the slightest bit of respect necessary to have a hold over you… to tell how you how you should be?

Fuck ‘em.

So, here’s what I’m saying… don’t settle for the veneer. If you get even the slightest TWINGE of feeling that the movie you’re watching or the show your friends like or the music you’re listening to… is staged….? Turn it off. And, find something that’s real instead. It’ll make you feel better (I SWEAR), and you not buying into it will eventually weed the crap out of our society.

And, really… what kind of amazing world could that be? Yeah… one without ‘veneer’ that’s what.

*end rant*

(again… thanks for listening :)

Gavin