as cities burn doesn't want any fans

Some really great people that are helping our band told us this would be a great idea. I’m not really sure what this will be, and I don’t know how much “value” this substack will bring, but one thing is clear - we’ve had a tough time communicating with fans. That word even makes me uncomfortable. Fan.

I’m a fan of the Atlanta Braves. I would shit myself if I ran into Chipper Jones on the street. Fan, doesn’t seem like the right word to describe a group of humans that have for whatever reason, found a deep connection with the music you’ve been a part of creating. I think I just identified the primary differentiator between music and sports fandom, aside from the obvious physical requirements (actually metal drummers are just athletes not musicians, there I said it).

When you love a sports team, and they win a game or a championship - it’s never really yours. Seinfeld has an old bit about sports fans screaming “We won!”. His comedic rebuttal - “No they won, you watched.” You can enjoy it, but it’s never truly yours.

Music, is the complete opposite. When as cities burn releases a song, it’s no longer ours. Actually, given the way the music industry is structured this has been literally true, some suits own all the music.

But, what I really mean is that music can take on it’s own meaning to a single person that’s totally different than the person sitting on the couch next to them. Music is the soundtrack of our lives, and it becomes this unique experience that cannot be replicated ever. And the artist cannot control how you experience their creation.

I fell in love with Jimmy Eat World driving with the windows down on back country roads in southwest Arkansas my freshman year of college in 2001. Nobody else has that same experience. It’s impossible. I own it. I own Bleed American.

So, all of you that love ACB, own our music in the same way. Take good care of it please? - Aaron

*don’t worry, Cody is going to post on here too.