Remembering Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

” Long Way To Go “

Rappers in Iran Arrested

Music makers and beat makers around the world. Be happy if your country and your society allow you to express yourselves without fear of prosecution. Except for a pretty fair deal with the US censorship laws where artists here must disclose on the CD label if the nature of the lyrical content may be adult or graphic, we are free because we have freedom of speech . Not so in Iran where today a group of young aspiring rap artists have been arrested and also confiscating “ western style instruments “. Oh my God ( Allah) these kids might be using guitars, drum machines and synthesizers to initiate a cou d’etat !

No beats for you!

Yes and they were having a little alcohol to set the mood while they were uploading music through the internet and illegal satellite networks. Hey Iran, get a life and join the twenty-first century! Young people love music and although some of us older people don’t understand the lyrics or the messages it’s not a revolution going on. It’s simply expression and every human being needs to express. In all fairness to our Iranian brothers and sisters ( all equals to us, sorry if not to you ) it is true these kids were using abandoned homes to run their “ operation “ and there may have been some violations of laws or ordinances they should have complied with. However, there was probably no such type of an arts and media center in which they could write, produce, record and upload music and develop their skills into something that just may someday earn them a living. Reading that the local police chief there said these kids were using “trashy, juvenile and street-like words and phrases that have no place in proper grammar,” almost makes me want to laugh except that I now these kids are in for a terrible ordeal. Because girls in Iran have been raped while in jail awaiting a hearing, I don’t trust any of their authorities. And because the entire justice system hasn’t been updated since the Achaemenid Empire of 300BC, the rest of the world for the most part views as barbaric. These kids don’t stand a fair shot at justice for their “ crimes “. I urge the world of readers to investigate this story, share it, post in forums and protest this action against a group of young people , very much like yourselves. Music is the universal language. The beat will set you free!

End of October

The Autumn season has brought us lots of great news and recaps of the past Summer’s events. Not all the news is fun to report as was the case this last month when the world lost two more artists who were either on the cutting edge or the head of their genre as we reported to you in the recent damngoodtunes.com. Eyedea, or Michael Larsen as known to those who knew him the most, a young American lost his life at a tragic early age while Gregory Isaacs of Jamaica who although had a good life with many records and world wide fans, was also way too young to die. But then, that’s not up for us to decide now is it? We never try to go into the preachy side of life or sway one way or another politically however we feel it is important to acknowledge the passing of artists and writers who have helped to shape our world with music and beats.
And so onward we must go and positive we shall be to bring you the news of all things music and particularly Indie.
Why you may ask should this matter? Why do we do this? What if not for money would we possibly call consideration in our mission. Simply the answer is that I had a vision saying there was a way to level the slanted playing field for songwriters and performing artists all over the world, and that was to provide free press and exposure for as many as we might. We began our journey in 2007 working in a small office slightly appointed , yet free from the hustle and bustle of Urban chaos. In that room we reached out to the world VIA this medium, our friend, the internet. And you responded. Bands, producers and engineers from all countries and all walks of life took notice of the fledgling DGT and found that we were real, accessible and ethical. We won your trust. Now we are read from all corners of the globe and you the fans and readers, the artists and bands and countless others who support the industry – you have given us the strength to carry on and take this publication to the next levels. And that we will do.
Watch this coming week of November when we bring you brand new articles and features. Peace to all!
Bruce J Maier
Publisher
damngoodtunes.com
Damngood Tunes

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