Never let anything go

A couple years ago, on a music mailing list I was on, someone—who we'll call John Boy because I can't remember his real name—wrote in to relate a conversation. John Boy was in an indiepop band, and he was talking to a woman who had never heard the term "indiepop" and was incredulous about it. How, she wanted to know, could a band be both indie and simultaneously popular?

What's amazing is that John Boy, in spite of the fact that he was in a band that embraced the indiepop approach in every conceivable way, had no answer for the woman. As a matter of fact, in his letter to the mailing list, he actually said that she had a good point.

To this day, I still regret not writing in to correct and give him a hard time about missing such a clear target completely (hell...not even taking a shot at it). Pop music, whether indie or not, has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not it actually is popular; it's that it's intention is to be popular. Or, more accurately, it's first priority is that it's enjoyable as quickly as possible. The route it takes to immediacy is irrelevant.

And the number of people who like it? Meaningless. There are kids in tiny junior high schools in small towns that are undeniably popular, and whether or not you've ever met them has nothing to do with it. And there are bands that have die-hard fans, but still can't fill a small club. Actual popularity is relative, and irrelevant anyway.

No, pop music is a concept; an approach. I was reminded of this fact and the above conversation by the immediate appeal of DC indiepoppers Georgie James, who I saw at Fort Reno last week and then got an *ahem* advance copy of their album (due Sept 25) last night. On any given tune of this record, there's absolutely zero doubt about what every song wants you to do: enjoy yourself, and do it now.

I did exactly that as I walked down the sidewalk this morning with "Places" in my ears, clad confidently in my favorite shirt and tie combo, heading towards my challenging new job. It felt like the bit at the end of a quirky movie, where everything feels like it's worked out perfectly, even if it hasn't quite. That's what good indiepop will do for you.

Georgie James, "Places" (download)


And here's a bonus track that was introduced at the show as as song that's about "how great it is to grow up in the DC area, even if you can't tell from the lyrics that that's what it's about."
Georgie James, "More Lights" (download)