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As philosopher Martin Heidegger once stated, true art “shines forth.” It does not fade or disappear, but seeks to reveal the concealed truths of existence. This is no easy venture, for the nature of earth is to inherently close itself off. The artist must overcome this contentious strife between the desire for openess (truth) and the nature of concealment. Great art, according to Heidegger, is achieved when the “artist remains inconsequential as compared with the work, almost like a passageway that destroys itself in the creative process for the work to emerge.”

At this time, it seems most music has seemingly resigned itself from the strife. Rather than fighting to reveal truths and open up the world, artists are more concerned with the economical pursuits of their “art,” opting to create innocuous, safe repositories that promote escapism and abandon the fight. Perhaps this insouciance is a product of the times, and as such the musicians cannot be totally blamed for this shift. Regardless, it is necessary to acknowledge those artists who continually suffer for their work, who seek to provide a passageway to truth and to a better understanding. Ultimately, this is the music that will shine forth and refuse to disappear, that will resonate for years to come.