blog - band news, thoughts, rants, and et cetera
January 14th, 2025
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Today's internet is a hard place for me to spend time on. This has become a common take for many people. The consolidation of the internet into a few heavily used channels or "ecosystems” has made using the web less fulfilling and enjoyable to me. Search results optimize clickable content, leading to homogenization of information. Since digging through pages and pages of trash SEO content is incredibly dull and unrewarding, I find myself just going with the easiest result more often than not. Oftentimes I wonder if I'm becoming dull, or dumb since the junk that search engines spit out now feels so deliberately un-engaging.
It might be "net-hippie bullshit” but older websites had charm and imperfection to them. Twenty dozen construction gifs are camp, but more genuine than the linoleum-floor inspired modern tech and social media. For years I've been seeking a way to use the internet in a way that doesn't leave me feeling so drained, without mindless scrolling. I've limited my time online, I've deleted social media accounts, I've tried to bookmark pages which I love but something was lacking. Avoiding the internet comes across as paranoid luddism to me. Some form of a return-to-a-good-old-days fantasy that most of us will never attain. Deleting social media was self-isolating, and I missed the connections I had with my friends online. Bookmarks can only get you so far, when most of the time your searches and questions steer you towards reddit and SEO-blogs now. I remember using the internet when I was younger and it didn't feel so terrible to use. Creativity, connections, being genuine, and health are all that matter. My time on the internet wasn't reflecting the values I wanted to live by. Starting Slick by myself in March, then growing the project to it's current lineup has been incredibly rewarding. I thought that it was important to have this band represent the values I've begun to grow for myself. With most band-content (even in the independent space) being communicated through controlled, limited channels like Instagram or Facebook, I thought it was important that this band's web presence represent the independence and creativity that most social media doesn't. It's a bit of a paradox isn't it? I talked about a return-to-good-old-days dream earlier, but isn't making a hacked-together HTML nightmare just pining for a nostalgic era? Maybe a touch. I think that in today's context using the web as an expression of creativity, even if it's using dated methods, has become new and vital. Think about the folk revival of the 1960s, which came about during a time of rampant consumerism, industrialization, and government violence. The ethos of the folk movement of the mid-century isn't too far off of what I'm trying to do with this small website (and grand fuckin ideas, right?). This page helped me form my initial ideas behind the site. If you're in an independent band, make art, write, geek about TV, cook, etc. consider making a page like this. Other bands like Them Airs and Hotline TNT already do this. Reach out to me if you want, I'd be happy to help you out. Embrace imperfection and express yourself. -Nate |
January 13, 2025
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welcome to the blog, we'll be adding pics of the band, various happenings, and giving you the scoop on upcoming shows.
info about recording, some gear we use, and short pieces by the band members can be found on this page. thanks for reading - nate |
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