Mat Callahan, The Trouble with Music
www.matcallahan.com
PRESS INQUIRIES: 510-910-5627
The Trouble With Music is written from the viewpoint of a successful musician, and has two central themes: first, author Mat Callahan anchors current music controversies into an historical investigation of what has evolved to become popular music. What are the strands of this music with its roots on four continents? What is the role of music as art and as language in human society?
He further examines the effects on our culture of generic “McMusic” and the “superabundance” of music today. He systematically dismantles the music industry’s current claims about downloading and piracy to reveal the subtext and underlying issues with insightful and unexpected arguments – even a look at abolishing copyright altogether! Callahan’s sources range from Tolstoy to DuBois, from Adorno to Zappa. As a musician and lyricist, his writing is both accessible and poetic.
The semi-conscious war between these life-affirming, self-emancipating behaviors and the coercive domination of money, property, and survival amidst contrived scarcity is the core investigation of this book.
Callahan gives a brief summary of himself and his book, and goes into detail on various topics within the book with illuminations from his real-life musical experiences as “rock star,” producer, engineer. He engages the students in discussion about such subjects as copyrights, digital downloading, and overall the effects and rewards of popular music. Most interestingly, at the end of his talk he can put his own music on the line by demonstrating songs from his catalog via the playing of a CD.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mat Callahan is the former lead singer/songwriter of “world-beat” pioneers the Looters, a band signed by both Jello Biafra (Alternative Tentacles, grandfather of American Punk Rock) and Chris Blackwell (Island Records/discovered Bob Marley, U2). The Looters were the first U.S. rock band to play in post-revolution Nicaragua, in front of 28,000 people. They played in illegal underground clubs to supporting the Grateful Dead’s notorious New Years Eve arena shows. They won a Bay Area Music Award “Bammie” for the Best Independent Album, and were critically revered throughout their run.
Callahan also founded the legendary San Francisco performance space and artists’ collective Komotion International, a spawning ground for groups such as Primus, Consolidated, and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy (w/Michael Franti & Charlie Hunter). His solo album “A Wild Bouquet” features musicians Brain (Tom Waits, Guns & Roses), Joe Gore (PJ Harvey), Les Claypool (Primus) and vocalist Zoe Ellis. A lifelong musician, producer, activist and author, Mat has released 8 albums, 3 books, and numerous articles and productions. He lives in Switzerland with his wife and fellow recording artist Yvonne Moore.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coming Soon!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Music could change the world. Read this book.”
- Pete Seeger
“The Trouble with Music isn’t anything like most books about music. It’s invaluable.”
- Dave Marsh, Rock & Rap Confidential
“Impassioned, despairing, ambitious survey of the state and role of music today. The more you read, the more you’re infected and persuaded by Callahan’s prose.”
- David Stubbs, Wire (U.K.)
“This book is music to my eyes”
- Norman Soloman, War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death
“Mat Callahan has inspired many of us who have been both musicians and activists. This book is must reading for music lovers and makers alike.”
- Michael Franti, Spearhead
“Callahan’s insight is astonishing. This book should be compulsory reading for all those involved in music.”
- John Smith, Music Director, KBCS Seattle
“The Trouble with Music is a brilliant, much-needed book. It will widen your view, deepen your pleasure and reinforce your justified rage.”
- Chris Carlsson, Processed World
“The Trouble with Music kept me nodding approvingly along, got me thinking, wondering, disagreeing, arguing.”
- Boff Whalley, Chumbawamba
“If you have an interest in the direction pop music is going, this is a must read”
- Heartland Reviews
“Callahan exalts the community-building, universalizing properties of music-making and listening, and has hope - and solutions - for the future of music”
- Stefanie Kalem, East Bay Express
“This book is articulate, passionate, and cleansing, presenting a powerful case for disassociation with the processed music of money & media moguls…I invite you to read this book.”
- LaDonna Smith, The Improvisor.com
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