MovieChat Forums > Searching for Sugar Man (2012) Discussion > Narrow minded about other countries musi...

Narrow minded about other countries music

posted 12 years ago by GazTruman
6 replies | jump to latest

One thing I thought about when leaving the cinema was how narrow minded some of us can be about other countries music. Searching for sugar man is an amazing story about how a musician can be a nobody in his own country but a massive name in another. and the only reason for his success in south africa, was down to a bookleg being passed around.

I am from the UK, think about all other countries music which never gets a chance to be heard in our ears. I really enjoyed listening to the soundtrack of this film. How can I never of heard of Rodriguez when he is so popular in South Africa? There must be so many other artists out there that are amazingly talented but never get heard in another country, perhaps the biggest name artists in China and Australia would be music I love.

Is it narrow minded to not search for popular artists in other countries?

[–] lubin-freddy 12 years ago

It's the Jerry Lewis / French syndrome.

I want to shake every limb in the Garden of Eden
and make every lover the love of my life

[–] chappers-brfc 12 years ago

I was thinking the exact same thing whilst watching this OP, the movie mentions three artists/bands from South Africa who were placed on a pedestal of musical geniality, despite never hearing of them myself.

I guess one explanation, although I've never been abroad, I always assume that other countries have their own musical cultures, like India for example has Sitar music, Ravi Shankhar being a big name from their, yet he isn't exactly the archetypal rock musician. Not saying that means western music doesn't exist in other countries, just saying that folk, or rock or blues or jazz or whatever isn't the big deal over there, like it is in Britain or America.

[–] Milkdoesabodygood 12 years ago

Thats why we have YouTube.

[–] canadamelody 12 years ago

That is why we had MYSPACE before YOUTUBE matured but the idiot who set up MYSPACE that was once an amazing way to find artists all over the world sold it to Murdoch who turned it into MTV.

[–] laurenahaupt 12 years ago

You should listen to some South African music - it's awesome and contradictory to narrow minded, ignorant people it has all types of genres – everything from rock to electro-jazz!

[–] canadamelody 12 years ago

Hi there I am in the UK too. You seem curious about music outside the UK box
I have been on that mission for 25 years and am I glad !! If I had settled for the junk the UK system feeds us I would have done an Amy Winehouse on myself !