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Are You Hot or Cool, Both [or Neither]?
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Rock & Roll as the encompassing theme covering all genres of music creativity and appreciation in the modern era might be productively seen in the following light:
1. It is a good thing to be cool. It is also a good thing to be hot.
2. Both Artists and Fans want to be cool. Some also wouldn’t mind being hot.
3. Rock is hot. Roll is cool. Thus, music in the modern era is hot and/or cool.
4. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between what is cool and what is hot because everyone who is hot is cool, but not everyone who is cool is hot, and some are neither cool nor hot but they think they are one or the other, or both.
5. It follows that it is easier to be cool than it is to be hot and there is a premium to being hot, not least because then you are also cool.
6. Punk is generally hot, which means it is also cool by default. Jazz is generally cool and sometimes it is also hot.
7. Music genres can be hot and/or cool as Artists or their Fans decide.
8. Bottom line: It is tough for Artists to sell music or resonate with Fans if the temperature of their music is not recognized and appreciated by their Fans.
As an Artist, can you really tell us whether you are hot or cool, or both? What is the temperature of your brand equity [or stock-in-trade]? Is it wise to be indifferent?
As a Fan, TCC, like everyone, tries to be cool, is rarely hot, and most of the time is neither because, in a fit of candor, I have to admit that I don’t know what my brand equity is…But I’m going to think on it.
Enjoy. :=)
1. It is a good thing to be cool. It is also a good thing to be hot.
2. Both Artists and Fans want to be cool. Some also wouldn’t mind being hot.
3. Rock is hot. Roll is cool. Thus, music in the modern era is hot and/or cool.
4. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between what is cool and what is hot because everyone who is hot is cool, but not everyone who is cool is hot, and some are neither cool nor hot but they think they are one or the other, or both.
5. It follows that it is easier to be cool than it is to be hot and there is a premium to being hot, not least because then you are also cool.
6. Punk is generally hot, which means it is also cool by default. Jazz is generally cool and sometimes it is also hot.
7. Music genres can be hot and/or cool as Artists or their Fans decide.
8. Bottom line: It is tough for Artists to sell music or resonate with Fans if the temperature of their music is not recognized and appreciated by their Fans.
As an Artist, can you really tell us whether you are hot or cool, or both? What is the temperature of your brand equity [or stock-in-trade]? Is it wise to be indifferent?
As a Fan, TCC, like everyone, tries to be cool, is rarely hot, and most of the time is neither because, in a fit of candor, I have to admit that I don’t know what my brand equity is…But I’m going to think on it.
Enjoy. :=)
Comments
Meredith Rollo
TCC, that is really funny. I think you covered all the bases on Coolness and Hotness. It was really cute! ~~~~~~~ I feel to weigh-in on this apparrently-most-interesting-query: ~~~~~~~ Firstly, I would like to assure you that you aren't missing anything by not being Cool. Being Cool is simply comprised of the act of not moving... When others around are fluttering, the "Cool" fool don't move. So, that's all there is to that. It's no way to be. ~~~~~~~ And secondly, the utimate Cool person is one that has been in the morgue on the nice cold Marble Table, for at least 24 hours, and they definitely are totally Cool!!!! ~~~~~ Thirdly, I've BEEN gruesomely Cool, and I've BEEN totally Hot. In fact, I am still very Cool and am still totally Hot. But fourthly, I don't wanna be those ways. Those behaviours are rude! Being "Cool" and "Hot" doesn't include Love for others in their modi. So, what's the point?!? I got to the place, within recent years, where someone would say; "Man! You're really cool!" to me, and it would be embarassing, that I would be found uttering "No I'm not!" ~~~~~~ And fifthly, I detect from your writing on this issue that you consider that you have never made it to the condition of being "Cool", and I perceive that you feel that people generally don't view you as "Hot". ~~~~~~ But sixthly, TCC, be happy that you don't know what you're missing. You are a great and good person, and seventhly, anybody that tries to hurt you with their supposed Coolness or Hotness is a Dumbass! But in eighthly, I shouldn't be so mean to them as to call them Dumbasses, that's not being nice either. And, ninethly, I'll simply say that we all, and especially, maybe, myself, still have a lot to learn about Love. Love is the answer and solution to all the problems of Life. And tenthly, giving and showing Compassion, Benevolence, Love, and such as these, is the way of Being, that is best! ~~~~~~ HHWLwWWC, SivleRane
Musicians are particularly prone to thinking that they must "drive their persona or brand" with readily identifiable elements of coolness or hotness in mind. Staying with the driving metaphor, when in first gear one is cool as a steady/ready/rolling condition and when is on drive or third gear and really rocking one is hot; one has proceed from one gear to the other and back. Rock & Roll!
Back to your ten points. If I may summarize: since hot and cool cancel each other, it may be better just to be what you are.
Have fun.
I have learned that the terms do determine a person(s), place(s), or thing(s) at their current stature(s) of endeavor. Both terms always fade from the given endeavor over time, to be replaced by a new one.
Having said that, I've also learned that to be yourself, and strive to work hard to be the best at your endeavor will most likely endear the term from others. You know, the people will decide. They'll make up their own minds about which term to apply to said endeavor. Thanks for the thoughts TCC.
Oh, and by the way, I was told as a kid growing up in New York to try not to be "hip". Folks did tell me that two hips makes an ass.
By the way, I checked out your website and it was boss. I used "your own words" to review your songs. Peace, bro'