In my case, "classical" isn't an appropriate description to begin with, since, as I've mentioned, my favorite composers are 20th Century. Even when they aren't, my tastes are heterodox. Charles-Valentin Alkan from the Romantic Period is a real passion of mine. I have also always found the concepts of brand and branding to be anathema.…
In my case, "classical" isn't an appropriate description to begin with, since, as I've mentioned, my favorite composers are 20th Century. Even when they aren't, my tastes are heterodox. Charles-Valentin Alkan from the Romantic Period is a real passion of mine. I have also always found the concepts of brand and branding to be anathema. I tend to agree with the late Bill Hicks regarding people who work in marketing. I remember back in the early '80s, a woman I was dating gave me a pair of Jordache jeans, which were very popular at that time. Frank Zappa even used the name in the lyrics of his 1981 B-side (of Valley Girl) song "You Are What You Is" to symbolize hopelessly white bread suburbanism. I thanked her, but I politely requested that she remove the patch that said "Jordache" from the butt before I wore them. I am absolutely not making that up.
I try to avoid all visible marketing logos on my clothing—but that's a challenging task. Not long ago I spent a long time at a sports store trying to find a sweatshirt without its manufacturer's name or logo announced on the shirt. I couldn't find one, and asked a person working there for help. When he found that I wanted a shirt without a logo, he looked at me like I must be fresh off the spaceship from another galaxy. I tried to explain: "Those pro athletes don't wear that swoosh unless they're paid for it," I told him, "so I don't see why should either." This is considered strange behavior, bordering on the asocial in the United States. In any event, they didn't have a single sweatshirt in the entire story without a brand logo—so I had to find one elsewhere. I eventually purchased one online with the name of a non-existent school on it (Miskatonic University). If I support an organization, it's probably better if it's one that doesn't exist.
Exactly my view! In fact, I said something of the sort to Wendy when she gave me the jeans. "I will not be a billboard unless I am paid for it." Or words to that effect. A few people get this, but not many. Miskatonic University, btw, announces that you are a fan of H.P. Lovecraft. I am, and actually have worn Miskatonic University branded clothes, along with Cthulhu for President and other Mythos related gear. I also have no objection to wearing T-shirts that honor favorite musicians or have physics jokes like an ad for Schrödinger's Tequila (the worm both is and isn't there).
In my case, "classical" isn't an appropriate description to begin with, since, as I've mentioned, my favorite composers are 20th Century. Even when they aren't, my tastes are heterodox. Charles-Valentin Alkan from the Romantic Period is a real passion of mine. I have also always found the concepts of brand and branding to be anathema. I tend to agree with the late Bill Hicks regarding people who work in marketing. I remember back in the early '80s, a woman I was dating gave me a pair of Jordache jeans, which were very popular at that time. Frank Zappa even used the name in the lyrics of his 1981 B-side (of Valley Girl) song "You Are What You Is" to symbolize hopelessly white bread suburbanism. I thanked her, but I politely requested that she remove the patch that said "Jordache" from the butt before I wore them. I am absolutely not making that up.
I try to avoid all visible marketing logos on my clothing—but that's a challenging task. Not long ago I spent a long time at a sports store trying to find a sweatshirt without its manufacturer's name or logo announced on the shirt. I couldn't find one, and asked a person working there for help. When he found that I wanted a shirt without a logo, he looked at me like I must be fresh off the spaceship from another galaxy. I tried to explain: "Those pro athletes don't wear that swoosh unless they're paid for it," I told him, "so I don't see why should either." This is considered strange behavior, bordering on the asocial in the United States. In any event, they didn't have a single sweatshirt in the entire story without a brand logo—so I had to find one elsewhere. I eventually purchased one online with the name of a non-existent school on it (Miskatonic University). If I support an organization, it's probably better if it's one that doesn't exist.
Exactly my view! In fact, I said something of the sort to Wendy when she gave me the jeans. "I will not be a billboard unless I am paid for it." Or words to that effect. A few people get this, but not many. Miskatonic University, btw, announces that you are a fan of H.P. Lovecraft. I am, and actually have worn Miskatonic University branded clothes, along with Cthulhu for President and other Mythos related gear. I also have no objection to wearing T-shirts that honor favorite musicians or have physics jokes like an ad for Schrödinger's Tequila (the worm both is and isn't there).
Great post, Ted! The idea of re-branding jazz, classical or any music genre makes me cringe.
PS Don't hate me but...I do love my teeshirts branded with my own guitars' logos lol!
Guitar 🎸 logos are much cooler than swooshes.
I agree!!