Monday, June 22, 2009
Music Rich Kids: Still the Worst
Posted by Mike Conklin on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Last Friday the Times ran a piece about a quote-unquote D.I.Y. indie rock scene in L.A. that centers around the children of successful Hollywood types. We're introduced to 17-year-old drummer Hudson Franzoni, son of David Franzoni, who wrote screenplays for Gladiator and Amistad. When Hudson decided he wanted to play drums, his parents signed him up for lessons, just like yours probably would have, but then they built him an in-house studio, too, and have arranged for him to continue his lessons even while summering in Italy. We learn that Hudson's father has broken out his personal rolodex and invited agents over to see Hudson perform in the backyard. We also learn that ever since Hudson left his last band and they continued playing songs he had a hand in writing, the family's lawyer has been copyrighting all the songs Hudsone writes and dictating what he puts on his Myspace page, which I do not want to link to, but fine, I will.
We meet Emma Tolkin, as well, whose father, Michael, wrote The Player. She's in a band with Taylor Thompson, whose background is kept vague, though we're assured it's nothing to sneeze at. Emma is the band's spokesperson:
“I guess that growing up around Hollywood gave me a general sense that success in show business isn’t that far out of reach, but I don’t want to feel like a sellout. I like the D.I.Y. aspect of this. I like that it’s just me and Taylor playing music.”
Something tells me Ms. Tolkin might not actually know what D.I.Y. stands for—or maybe she just thinks it's common to leave off the last part, which is "along with the help of your rich parents and their rich, high-power friends."
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Is it a bad sign that I feel suicidal after reading this?
Is anything more facile—and less original—than class resentment? This is a dumb post.
Yeah, man, that totally just SUCKS. They're SUCH posers! URGH. It just makes me SO MAD when I perceive someone to have something that I don't!!
SO. NOT. FAIR.
Luckily, I've learned to lump each and every person whom I deem "privileged" into one, vapid, stupid, and untalented generalization! That way-- when I compare myself to this completely illusory caricature I've created as a defense mechanism-- I won't have to feel bad about my own shortcomings!
Phew! Hey... wanna cut homeroom and get high?
Aren't the guys in Vampire Weekend pretty privileged? But seriously, fuck LA.
Don't worry, the Situationists are coming to put an end to all that...
You know, I actually find something kind of sweet about the whole thing--this idea of impossibly wealthy kids slumming it by making indie rock and wearing Chuck Taylors and talking about DIY, all as a way of rebelling against what they know and in a lot of way doing the opposite of what's expected of them. But at 18 years old, to lack the self-awareness that would keep you from referring to what you're doing as being in keeping with DIY ethics when your mother and father invite high-power industry players to come watch you perform at, like, family barbecues or whatever? It's pretty silly.
I just feel sorry for them, frankly.
Drunk In Yacht? Dead In Year? ...
Hi, I’m David Franzoni, screenwriter etc. and, I honestly am sorry to piss on your manifesto, Mike, but – much like the original New York Times article – you are distorting; in fact yours is a distortion of a distortion. We didn’t build a studio for our son, Hudson, we gave him a Mac desk top with pro tools installed and a few mikes. I loaned him two of my own guitars, and, as he is an excellent jazz and rock drummer, he already has his own drum set. So, he is struggling to create music much like anyone else his age who dreams of being a song writer/performer. He doesn’t drive a fancy sports car (that’s not his car in the photo, of course – hey, innuendo is better than fact checking) but drives a ten year old Land Rover Discovery which is tall enough to hold his drums. And, he works his ass off: he plays guitar, bass, piano as well as drums. We didn’t buy these accomplishments, he earned them. When I left Vermont to come to this town, I had nothing… except my dream to be a screenwriter. I lived in worse places than probably you ever have, was even gunned down on the street and still carry a bullet in my arm. But, I refused to give up. In the end, my talent and perseverance helped me break through. But, let’s suppose I had been wealthy instead of struggling; do you honestly think I could have somehow bought the scripts I wrote? Could I have bought my Oscar? I worked and earned it all. Now, it’s my son’s turn to go after his dream, but he has to be able to do the work, he has to earn it. And, like any decent father, I will do anything I can to help him. But, he has the goods or he doesn’t. No amount ot money on earth can buy talent and drive. Got it?
I hope DFranzoni is being honest although I wouldn't mind having a dad like that . Sometimes dreams are so loong and hard to grasp that a little dinero would be useful aid in achieving your dream + from personel experience
"We didn’t build a studio for our son, Hudson, we gave him a Mac desk top with pro tools installed and a few mikes...doesn’t drive a fancy sports car (that’s not his car in the photo, of course – hey, innuendo is better than fact checking) but drives a ten year old Land Rover Discovery which is tall enough to hold his drums."
He is in fact, Mr Franzoni, SERIOUSLY deprived,in fact. Come on...?
You are a good guy to come to his defense and your own accomplishments are admirable.Unfortunately, Junior needs to keep a lower profile - that will help. You can surely see why most of the world hates rich kids at this time - fair or unfair. Also, as a son of wealth, how is he helping others? No credible artist can be indifferent to the suffering of others, especially now. He has an extra responsibility. Also, tell him to stop posing in other rich kids' cars if that is what he was doing - i.e. again, a lower profile would be good for him and probably his caring dad. Hope he succeeds though - he has to deal with more handicaps than even YOU had in some some ways now. Best. Greg
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