Give Life Back to Music

 

 

 

 

So what is so important about some French dudes in space helmets winning Grammy’s up the wazoo? The fact that the Grammy’s recognize something other than assembly line, overproduced, created to only make hits – music. Yes, Daft Punk have been a force since the 90’s in the house music scene. Their first albums were produced in a home recording studio. Yes, they have won Grammys before. But Random Access Memory, released in 2013, seemed to catch everyone’s attention. Maybe it was who they joined forces with: Paul Williams, Nile Rodgers, Pharell Williams, Julian Casablanca, and Todd Edwards. And yes, you have heard of them before the Grammy's - if you Google the song One More Time, you'll recognize them.

 

Their live shows are an emersion into the music – complete with lights, storytelling, and yes, costumes. These introverts have openly admitted they do not want to be celebrities. This fact can also be in in their videos, which are usually animated.

 

Take a listen to the first song on the most recent album: Give Life Back to Music. Very simple message about taking music back to what is used to be - fun. 

 

You have to give Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter lots of credit. They usually don’t grant interviews and show up dressed as intergalactic robots.

 

And you 'll quickly see that they aren't just influenced by DJ's but by artists such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and -- well just listen, there is a lot of 70's influence.  

 

 

So what is so important about Daft Punk winning an award like Record of the Year :

 

 The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position. ...

 

Just like this duo took a chance and collaborated with musicians on a very experimental album, the Grammys took a chance by saying they showed artistic achievement. They produced an album not to make hits or win awards, but to give to their fans to dance and partake in a musical journey far different than going to an overproduced pop show. And yes, LCD Soundsystem, we all want Daft Punk playing at my house, my house.