[NEW RELEASE] LACOSTE - ARDEUR 75 YEAR
René Lacoste is above all, a legend. A star on the courts of Wimbledon, Forest Hills and Roland Garros, René was one of the famous Four Musketeers (Jean Borot, Jacques Brugno, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste) who dominated the game of tennis in the late ‘20s and early ‘30s. They eventually led France to six straight wins (1927 through 1932) in the Davis Cup, and Rene became the world number one tennis player from 1926-1927. Nicknamed the ‘Crocodile’ and ‘Alligator’ for his tenacious attitude on the court, Rene is now better known for being the namesake and creator of the iconic 12.12 Lacoste Tennis shirt, which debuted in 1933.
Fast forward 75 years and the brand are celebrating this momentous occasion by launching a series of monotone shoes inspired by their tennis and yachting heritage. Unique to the 75 year collection is the use of the original crocodile which originated in 1933 and is embossed onto the uppers of each shoe. Tastefully executed in a consistent black and white scheme, the pack is a fitting tribute to the original purveyor of cool. July Release...
You just drove out of the auto dealership in your brand new Luxus XP LE. Satellite radio, GPS, 20 speaker surround sound with wireless MP3 player, loaded with all the latest in technology. You can't wait to pull into the driveway of your brand new McMansion, also loaded with all the latest electronic stuff to show off your new wheels. You play around with the cool satellite radio until you find a station that plays all the songs that were popular when you were in high school. Yep. Seeger, Skynrd, Zeppelin, Hendrix, Doors, Floyd. That was music!
Dear reader, I ask you the trusty old question: What's wrong with this picture? If you answered correctly, why is it wrong? Are you ready? Are you ready to rock steady? The answer is: The person in this scenario embraces all that is new and cool and modern. So why are they listening to music that was popular 30 years ago? Okay, maybe you didn't get it. But you are wondering why I'm making a big deal out of it.
There is a local business. A small business. A business run by a person just like you. Kids, house, dog, car, bills. The person above just took from the poor and gave to the rich. Well, maybe the business person is not really poor, but struggling every day. They certainly don't have a bank account nearly as big as the musical artists the Luxus person is listening to. This small business owner is in the music business. He performs 3-4 nights every week, and has just released a new CD. His music is also available on all the major internet MP3 stores, if you know where to look.
So, here's our person in the Luxus, strolling through the music store in the mall, walking right past the small music business person's CD without giving it a thought. (fact is, this person would really LOVE the CD if they took a chance) Going right to the classic rock section, they choose four or five CDs of bands that were popular two or three decades ago. What just happened, without anyone thinking about it, was that Bob Seeger just made more money. The hard working music business person didn't.
The Luxus person, when interviewed later (not really) claims that there is no such thing as good music anymore. When asked when the last time a new indie music review was read, or an independent music site was explored, the answer was "I dunno. I don't really pay attention to music all that much." So why do you have the 20 speaker satellite MP3 system in the car and the every-room-surround- sound- system in the house? "To listen to music." I leave the imaginary interview in complete frustration, but also a little bemused in a snide kind of way.
I could rant for days and days, and have been known to on occasion, but it makes no sense. People are so accepting and can't wait for the newest and coolest things, but won't take a $ 10.00 chance to buy a local person's CD? Okay, maybe it won't start a nationwide recession, but it certainly causes regular recessions in the independent music businesses nationwide. Now, I'm not talking about the local bar bands that play other people's music. That's a whole other can of gummy worms that I'll open in another article...I'm referring to people who write and perform their own music and do it for a living.
Bob Seeger used to be unknown, Pink Floyd used to be an independent band that no one knew, so how did they get so popular? Someone took a chance and shoved them down our throats. I'm not suggesting anything like that, I have a bad gag reflex and most of the big record industry is near death anyway. (They can't hurt you anymore) But how about going to the music store or on the internet, and spending 10 minutes checking out an artist you've never heard before? You know what? I'll bet you a nickel (I never bet more than that) that you'll find some new music that you are absolutely crazy about.
Buy it. Tell your friends. Go see a show. Your journey into the modern world has taken a huge leap, and you're helping a local business person pay his bills. You'll also be a whole lot cooler and people won't laugh behind your back so much.
Matt McKay is a songwriter, musician and author from New England.
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