Prog in the year 2016: Where are we at now?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=107016
Printed Date: April 28 2024 at 15:48
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Prog in the year 2016: Where are we at now?
Posted By: SteveG
Subject: Prog in the year 2016: Where are we at now?
Date Posted: June 16 2016 at 05:12
|
Some 45 years after the birth of progressive rock, where are we at right now? What's good or bad about the current prog scene? How do think digital pirating has affected prog? Has prog become "more outré or progressive" now that record executives no longer drive the artist's direction? And the vinyl craze. Has prog benefitted from the new remixes, remasters and audio restorations of vinyl (some of which transfers to digital mediums)? Or do you feel it's just a cash cow for the vinyl reissuing companies? Prog in 2016: Where do you think we're at right now? ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Replies:
Posted By: Gully Foyle
Date Posted: June 16 2016 at 07:47
| Still waiting for Infernal..... |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: June 16 2016 at 08:57
|
No reason to complain and nothing to fear, alive and well and living in... ------------- |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: June 16 2016 at 11:52
|
Hello Steve..... I don't really know what the current state of prog is....I tend to listen to the older stuff and only occasionally buy new modern prog bands. But it seems like there are plenty of those around and plenty here who are into prog these days. I don't see the area in general getting much bigger since as always the public goes for pop and mainstream music....but with the internet the prog that is around certainly is getting more exposure. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Ier
Date Posted: June 16 2016 at 12:27
|
I think prog is doing pretty well. A lot of new prog out there since it's more easy to share your music to the outside world (social media in particular). No need to wait for the right record deal, but now you're completely depending on other things. Well, even Steven Wilson had to put his music on several streaming websites. https://www.facebook.com/notes/steven-wilson/steven-wilson-talks-streaming/1160792253941035" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/notes/steven-wilson/steven-wilson-talks-streaming/1160792253941035 ------------- http://grendelhq.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow - My personal page 
|
Posted By: ginodi
Date Posted: June 16 2016 at 14:27
| I am quite content with the position Prog is in. I listen to anything from any era, and the modern stuff...some of it is excellent (got the new Gandalf's Fist release and love it). I am like a Prog Evangelist...just keep introducing and promoting it to others. |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: June 17 2016 at 04:39
|
I know exactly where I am - 6 miles North of York. But I don't know exactly how fast I'm moving due to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. Seriously, we're in 2016 with lots of great prog still being made. Still a niche market, but better that than being like One Direction, Adele, Kanye "can't sing for s**t" West and Justin f*****g Bieber. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: June 17 2016 at 05:13
|
I'm a bit surprised that no one mentioned the of rash artists from prog and other genres that have passed away recently. To me, personally, prog in 2016 seems like the year of the fallen artist. Aside from that, all is the same as ever.I'm not going to post much in the PA discussion forums as I feel that I've said all that I can say about prog and other topics in the past. But I would like to suggest that members that have never seen icons such as Ian Anderson, Peter Gabriel, and bands like King Crimson and Marillion do so, if possible. I know that a majority of PA members have already, but for those that haven't, well, time waits for no one. Enjoy these living treasures if you can. Steve
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: WeepingElf
Date Posted: June 17 2016 at 11:58
|
I think prog is doing reasonably well, though there is quite some stagnation and retromania just as everywhere in popular music. There is no shortage of new bands, even if most of them sound much like bands that have been around earlier. There are good labels specializing in prog and related genres. Sure, prog albums rarely show up in the album charts, and prog artists no longer sell out big arenas, but I probably speak for many of us here when I say that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Regarding those that have passed away - I don't want to be impious, but people like Keith Emerson or Chris Squire were past their heyday, and if a genre's future seems to depend on such veterans, that future seems cloudy. I don't feel that this is the case with prog! What bugs me, though, is that the hipster press, while new directions in prog are not much in sight, have adopted the custom of calling bands such as Motorpsycho, Mastodon or Tool "prog rock" who are IMHO only marginally prog. Or is it just me that I am unable to follow the course prog has taken lately? ------------- ... brought to you by the Weeping Elf "What does Elvish rock music sound like?" - "Yes." |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: June 17 2016 at 13:08
|
Hey Steve I'm kinda good with prog today......I just read your OP and first thought was how many artists we have lost this year and we are just half thru 2016.  There are tons IMO, new artists that people are calling "prog", which is fine by me. Some of the music, if not most, sounds very common nothing incredibly too exciting but its new bands trying to find their house sound. Some I hope stick to it and work thru this process. Like most I will always listen to the old but I really like some of the new'ish music too, kinda artists that might be NOS (new old stock  ), Steven Wilson, Marillion, IQ, Riverside......I love the vinyl reissues coming out, especially the remix issues ie: The Can (these are glorious!!), KC, Rush, Peter Gabriel, Marillion.......The original issues on vinyl sound pretty good most of them, except for KC, but some of these the new remix has brought out different angles and tidbits I never noticed on original issues, and for me the better audio gear of today is helping me hear detail and aliveness  , that I did not hear in the past.So over all I am pretty happy with prog today. -------------   
|
Posted By: Affek
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 02:23
|
Prog is as dead as it was 30 years ago. Some folks try to revive the dead and only thing they get is kitsch, which doesn't give anything new to the genre, as everything that was to be discovered in prog was discovered.
-------------  Prog Rock (1969-1977)
|
Posted By: paganinio
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 04:46
|
We are still waiting for more prog metal to come out. Progressive metal: 1984 -- at least 2094 There are too many ideas that are yet to be expressed in the language of metal. ------------- 
|
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 05:49
Depends on exactly what you mean by "prog" I suppose. But taking a broad view of progressive music I'd say it's never been in better health. There's exciting, fun and original music being made all over the place if you want to seek it out with open mind and eager ears
 |
Affek wrote:Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 07:24
| Like Jazz, Blues, Country and many other genres, progressive music has turn into a "specialty" enjoyed by a few, and unknown to many. True, everyone knows that jazz, blues, classical, etc are all about, and hardly know what prog, or progressive music is. Most people will identify it as rock, or classic rock, but know very little about it's inner details (sub-genres) and other details, statistics, artists, etc, that it fans enjoy. |
Posted By: Affek
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 08:05
|
Mascodagama, the only truly progressive artist nowadays is Death Grips. These guys push boundaries forward and forward, as they really ARE something new. The rest is just using the same ideas, again and again. ------------- Prog Rock (1969-1977)
|
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 08:06
|
I think prog is pretty healthy these days, there aren't the mainstream superstars there were in the 70's. That era to me is pretty dead though there are bands playing similar styles or being deliberately retro. I do like and buy some of those. There are loads of wonderful young bands exploring interesting and entertaining areas out there. I'm loving it. Avant, Electronic, Fusion/Nu Jazz, Psyche & Prog Metal seem particularly strong these days. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 12:39
I don't agree, but I've been on the Internet for long enough that I don't expect to change the mind of anyone in possession of such certainty. Death Grips is pretty rad though, no argument there. |
Posted By: HackettFan
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 16:16
 Everything that was to be discovered in Prog was discovered? As an amateur guitarist I find this view dreadful and demoralizing. Even if true, it should (and will) be made untrue.
------------- A curse upon the heads of those who seek their fortunes in a lie. The truth is always waiting when there's nothing left to try. - Colin Henson, Jade Warrior (Now) |
Posted By: Smurph
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 16:51
Oh ok, so Dalek never existed? ------------- http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/ wtf |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: June 18 2016 at 16:54
You need to get out more. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: RoeDent
Date Posted: June 19 2016 at 13:23
|
It's bait. Leave it alone. ------------- Anyway, I think prog is in the best place it's ever been in. We've had some truly incredible albums over the last few months alone (DT, Haken, Frost*, Big Big Train). Really exciting times to be a prog fan. (Unless you're so close-minded that you think it died in the 70s, of course.)
|
Posted By: WeepingElf
Date Posted: June 19 2016 at 14:20
|
I wouldn't say prog was "in the best place it's ever been in", but it is probably in the best shape since the end of the classic era. There is a lot of good and exciting stuff going on, and it is slowly becoming more fashionable again. Even the German hipster rock magazine Visions carried a special feature about prog a few months ago (it wasn't particularly good, but at least a step in the right direction). Perhaps prog will be the next big thing when people get bored with hipster austerity and retromania, who knows ;) ------------- ... brought to you by the Weeping Elf "What does Elvish rock music sound like?" - "Yes." |
Posted By: schizoidman
Date Posted: June 19 2016 at 23:59
More diverse than ever. Kind of like how Mahavishnu Orchestra, Pat Metheny, Dave Brubeck and Billie Holiday are all Jazz artists.
Good: Diversity. Bad: Too much mediocrity.
Loss of income for musicians that really, really need it.
Yes.
If it puts money in the pockets of musicians it's OK with me.
A great, healthy place but a bit overpopulated. ------------- Making the useless useful 24/7. |
Posted By: Wakefan
Date Posted: July 06 2016 at 06:24
|
Hi guys! I believe prog has lost a bit of its magic. In the 70's prog was not a style, but almost a compositional music philosophy, and today musicians are too worried about making PROG and not beautiful, crazy, inventive music. I think the only artist that does that is SW. And as mentioned before, the prog gods are passing away, nad in 10 years there will be no legends left. The only thing we can do to save prog is to support the new generation of artists: the future of prog. For example there is this guy in Brazil: Gustavo Santhiago, who is very, very, sensible in his music, and has released his first album. I found the complete album in YouTube, and it seems he's very unknown, and very young. What do you think guys? Here's the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQAwMSVN0E6iMq-d375q8gvaqXdzcmb2Y Love and happiness to all!!! |
Posted By: Blinkyjoh
Date Posted: July 06 2016 at 08:46
|
I'm not sure what to think. at first glance it looks like it is going strong. After years basically listening to yes, genesis, rush, marillion, elp ...through amazon, and largely this site i'm finding a wealth of great (semi) recent stuff out there i never knew about. Riverside, Gazpacho, Swilson, Spock's, Barock P, Bowness... the one trend i do notice is that albums seem much longer now. However, sales wise..Genesis's Trespass sold something like 100,000 in the UK alone (not positive) and that was one of their weaker sellers. Would *anything* today compare? Sometimes i wonder how anybody makes any money. packaging, publishers, artwork etc etc... So, to sum up, i think going strong, but can't see anyone getting rich from it! |
Posted By: Smurph
Date Posted: July 06 2016 at 08:52
Only a few guys or bands are making money. Very few prog artists that I listen to even break even. ------------- http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/ wtf |
Posted By: Blinkyjoh
Date Posted: July 06 2016 at 09:09
| that's sad. not to derail the thread, but playing live..does that generate much for the standard prog outfit? generally small venues and having 5 band members with travel expenses etc...it must be difficult. |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: July 07 2016 at 06:53
|
True...
Tis sad to lose the prog legends. And it's very difficult for prog musicians to make a living playing their music. But, for prog fans such as us? This is the greatest prog era since the 70's. And that's a good thing.
|
Posted By: RockHound
Date Posted: July 07 2016 at 08:24
|
It's the best of times and the worst of times. This is a major time of transition, as the classic musicians move into late life and beyond. Progressive music is certainly abundant and diverse, but as stated by many others, the decay and devaluation of the music business is a serious problem. We are confronted with an information overload. So much is available that it is difficult to identify the acts that tickle one's fancy.
|
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: July 07 2016 at 08:39
|
"Information overload", too much to absorb, is a definite issue. I think the only way to combat this is to accept that you (we) are not going to be able to enjoy and hear everything. So the key is to move slowly, whatever the backlog, and truly listen and concentrate on what is in front of you. Give each band a fair shot, patiently, rather than trying to hear 10 seconds of everything at manic pace. Music is much more fun for me if I accept the limitations of time vs. quantity. ------------- |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: July 07 2016 at 13:12
I was going to use this line.  But seriously prog is fine, at least as fine as any niche musical market can be in today's day and age. (So fine in fact that the label gets applied to anything like by people who like prog-rock ) the internet can grant unprecedented exposure and distribution of prog-rock/progressive music which is paramount in keeping things in the eyes of the consumers. As for the all the reissue stuff...money to the artists is a good end result, even if it's selling the same old stuff again. (and in some cases the same old stuff is leagues better than anything near new stuff.) Can't see all of that detracting people who want to buy new stuff from buying it...even if it does get annoying trying to collect every fraction of a thing from a band I love. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: July 07 2016 at 13:13
this is indeed an issue, but one that I could probably see myself having in the 70s/80s (assuming I had the money to buy stuff). That said...I do find it depressing but I can't fault the music itself for thatone. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: July 07 2016 at 13:37
|
^nope, definitely not....and frankly its a nice "problem" to have isn't it? ------------- |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: July 07 2016 at 14:21
I certainly rather have too much than not enough! ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: mmmreesescups
Date Posted: July 11 2016 at 19:44
|
I think it's frankly stupid to refer to prog music as a genre, or even type of music. In light of the real age of 70s prog it doesn't really exist outside a conceptual state. Now it's just different forms of consumption and the music has still not 'progressed' as we wish to put it. ------------- 
|
Posted By: maryes
Date Posted: July 24 2016 at 16:01
| I really think which progressive rock in all his styles shows a strict correlation with Classical or Barroque music ... both aren't commercial and due this have a tendency of exceed the time barriers ( in consequence not stay aged ). The remixes and remasters editions , in my point of view is beneficent . I'm sure ( for these reasons ) which the future of Progressive Rock Music will be long and fruitful !!! |
Posted By: Mellowtron
Date Posted: July 24 2016 at 22:32
|
I think it's still going strong, although prog is definitely more of an underground scene, especially here in the USA. My friends and I have been keeping track of bands like IQ, Opeth, Leprous, Haken, Steven Wilson and Frost*, and for the most part, we're pleased with what we're hearing. Unfortunately, there are some groups that sound way too similar to 70's prog, and as a result, I feel they aren't progressing. Anyway... There have also been some of the older prog bands performing again. My dad and I saw Rush's R40 show, and one of my friends and I made a trip to the city to see King Crimson perform in their 7 piece lineup back in 2013. Unfortunately, 2015 and 2016 had some awful news with the deaths of prog icons like Chris Squire and Keith Emerson. I was especially crushed upon hearing Squire's death-the same friend who went to see Crimson with me thought we should see Yes when they were playing Fragile and Close to the Edge back to back. However, we backed out of buying tickets for the show, and we've regretted not seeing one of our bass icons perform live ever since. Hearing about Emerson's suicide was terrible, given how fantastic of a musician and keyboard player he is.
|
Posted By: Pastmaster
Date Posted: July 24 2016 at 23:13
|
Is music still progressing? Of course. In a good way? That's completely subjective. Honestly, I couldn't care less if the music I listen to is progressive or not, all that matters is if I enjoy it. Do I like hearing new things being done in music? Yeah, but I don't go actively looking for it. Also, many of the ways music is progressing is with such things as Noise and Drone, which I strain to call music. Metal is in great shape, but I can't say I've heard many recent rock bands that interest me. Purson, Screaming Females, and Band of Skulls are the only recent rock bands I can think of that I've been enjoying. |
Posted By: dauinghorn
Date Posted: August 24 2016 at 01:26
| It's too much autotune in Prog today. Everytime I try to listen to a new prog album, you hear these weird, always in perfect tune, lifeless voices. Aaargh!! What I think lack in todays "prog" scene is a more organic approach. Since studio time is no longer limited (most people can do this by themselves at home), there seems to be a lack of bands practicing together and making music together. A main difference from the 70s, I believe. |
Posted By: dauinghorn
Date Posted: August 24 2016 at 06:52
|
Bent Knee is something different. Damn, this is good stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWHymEnu_LE
|