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George Sephton

Curran and Seaton : Buckethead


Buckethead is an American musician, songwriter, virtuosic guitarist for whose skills and innovation have granted him critical acclaim over the years. His music spans several genres, including progressive metal, funk, blues, bluegrass, ambient, and avant-garde music. He performs primarily as a solo artist, although he has collaborated with a wide variety of artists. Curran and Seaton can be applied in Buckethead's case as he demonstrates diverse patterns of ownership. Rather than using a company or conglomerate as an example, I feel as though it is important to reflect on how diverse patterns of individual ownership can influence the outcome of products. His early albums up until around 2011 were all released under small 'indie' record labels like Ion, TDRS and STRAY. However, post-2011 saw him self releasing mini albums he would call the 'Pike series'; they would rapidly begin releasing that year onwards. The 'Pike Series' is a fascinating concept in which he would release albums in the style and release pattern of comic books. The front of each album largely resembles an early comic book style. Keeping of comic fiction, he chooses to sell all of his albums for around the $2 mark. Buckethead commits fully to the music; he makes music for himself and out of his passion for the art form. Curran and Seaton would suggest that his rejection of being under the wing of a record label has resulted in more varied and adventurous media products. Buckethead is entirely driven by the music, this is signified through his largely inexpensive album prices. He is not driven by the logic of profit of power. Buckethead helps demonstrate that music should not be a commercial tool and rather his diverse pattern of ownership has not only inspired many up and coming guitarists but helps create the conditions for more music released similarly to his kind.






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