Music Nation is a Music Video Competition for Independent Artists

madmozart says

Electronic experimental rock band leader, Sheldon James of Killings in Fashion, had much to say about his video music composition "Charismatic Suicide" that won week six in MusicNation's contest for independent artists. I was quite surprised to learn about the time and effort and detail involved to cleverly produce his original and creative sounds. Suffice it to say, the process was very sophisticated and complex. Sheldon is like Thomas Edison in the sound studio. Expect great new things to happen. He’s cutting new ground in sound and has my complete respect. I think his music in Charismatic Suicide amazingly captures the essence of his mood and experience while creating it.
How does one critique this? Sound and rhythm? Context and Message? Intrigue and Interest? Feeling and emotional expression? Communication and impact? The following is what I hear and imagine, but then you have fun interpreting your own ideas as you listen, imagine, and feel -- EXPERIENCE IT. …………… . . . Streaming celestial sounds ... magical mirrors and musical metaphors .. this cold dark inner space of self exploration nears its end ... somewhere between the twilight of death and twinkle of life ... all is flashing before jaded eyes at the speed of light ... contrails of stardust suspended in time ... an ambiguous ambiance of numbing hesitation ... the chime of harps like angels that sing .. “I will not end my life tonight!” …………… . . . No doubt many are conflicted with the darker side of this musical motif as Sheldon dares to take us where no one should go... ”too many thoughts not allowed” ... yet where too many thoughts have gone before. He captures this daunting place in the abstract, and in reality tries to communicate his internalized chaos by an explosion of emotion screaming out in hope of being heard ...“who will remember me?!” This song goes far beyond being music. It is a melodramatic metaphor that breaks down the social taboos of silence to face the most profound paradox of life presenting him problems ... from the abyss of hate and pain to the paradise of love and pleasure ... a mysterious journey and discovery of beauty and reason to live. Sheldon has done what other artists are envious to do. He cares not whether you like this music. Some will, some won’t. Some listen, some don’t. It is real. This is what it is – not what others want it to be. This is part of what Sheldon means by revolution in music. And for now, the only place where you are likely to hear it is from independent artists like Sheldon who find their place in the underground. We need a more expansive forum for art to thrive that is untainted by the constraints and controls of too much commercialism. Sheldon illustrates that art and music reflecting life is not always pleasant and delightfully delusional. Art is an abstract intellectual pursuit that communicates human ideas and expression. It is a reflection of the human experience that is creative and inspires. It contemplates the good and bad, the beautiful and ugly, as well as our perceptions of reality born by our imagination that reaches for meaning beyond what we know about life and death. Art importantly connects us on common ground where we hopefully can stand together with greater understanding, appreciation, and respect. Ultimately, because art expression impacts and influences humanity, there should be an aesthetic value that communicates something meaningful, significant, and worthwhile in our common struggle to SURVIVE – which Sheldon shows in his own way, is still more “fashionable” than “killings”. Thank you Sheldon for daring to be who you are and your resulting contribution to the world of music and art. - madmozart