Vinyl (HBO)

[El Dingo]

I'm not sure how I feel about this series. I felt obligated to watch it since music (particularly Classic Rock) is such a big part of my life. On the other hand, I never liked the 'business' side of the industry. It's a weird chemistry of art and capitalism. If you need to eat you want to produce a commodity that people will pay for. Your creative side may not feed the beast.

Enter management.

This is the focus of 'Vinyl'. A struggling record label trying to feed the beast of the '70s music market. Rock, Disco and Punk are all emerging and confusing the fuck out of everyone. Do you sign established acts like Elvis or Zeppelin? Do you trust your new A&R (artists and repetoire) people to find cutting-edge bands and hope they click? What the hell is this DJ thing with guys in dance clubs operating two turntables? Fuck it, let's do more cocaine.

The problem I have with the show is the stupid soap-opera plot points the producers feel are necessary. Manslaughter, problem marriages, gambling etc. It's all been done on "All My Children" and is tired material.

Anyway, I will keep watching because it's my wheelhouse (I love that word) but can't recommend unless you are obsessed with the music biz.