Real talk. I‘m not thrilled about Negative White lately. Not because my passion for music has waned, but a hard-to-grasp feeling keeps creeping up. One that whispers in the back of my head: „It‘s not in proper shape to address the times.“
And the times are certainly gloomy: For years now, signs of an impending collapse are mounting. From AI slop flooding streaming services and struggling clubs and festivals to the erosion of business models for all players in music.
Even if you’re just a regular fan of music, you can directly feel these worrying trends. You might be served AI-generated music on Spotify or pay ever-higher fees to see your favourite artist perform.
I put Negative White to rest in 2020. And when I resurrected it three years later, the world was different. It wasn’t as obvious as it is today, tainted by the euphoria of the post-pandemic music scene’s comeback. But underneath, the signals were already there. In hindsight, I paid too little attention to a shifting landscape because my main driver was to write more in-depth about music again.
What’s missing today isn’t more “objective” gatekeeping music journalism. And in a way, Negative White, despite the best intentions, retained a fairly traditional approach. A one-way stream of content to be consumed.
I feel we need something else, something real: connection, community. A space where we, as fellow music lovers, can share our passion.
Now, I don’t really know what that specifically means. Or what shapes it could take. But maybe you’re willing to share your perspective on what you feel is missing for avid music fans.
That’s why I’ll be hanging out in our Discord today from 8 pm CEST. Join here, and stay as short or long as you like.
This week on Negative White
Gallery of The Wombats live in Zurich • Evelyn Kutschera climbed into the infamous pit in Zurich's Club X-Tra (it's not really a pit but a staircase with horizontal struts holding the barrier to the floor in place) and brought home shots from The Wombats' gig.
We're emptying our left-over merch: Some t-shirts, a one-off print, some flawed gym bags. All heavily discounted, all proceeds support our platform.
What I appreciated
On Glen Hansard • What do we do when people we love and have never met die. Emely L. Hauser wrote a touching and emotional piece after the tragic news of Glen Hansard's passing. The Oscar-winning artist died in a motorcycle accident on 29 July.
Why Creative Success Destroys People • A compelling in-depth video essay on creativity, success, and the "artists should not complain" argument. With examples from music to painting.
There are no white people on Middle-Earth • NY Times' Jamelle Bouie counters the culture war narrative on political correctness and diversity on his private YouTube channel.
