by Michael Mercer ~ October 15th, 2008
Margaret Scranton may have been born too late. As an artist, her outlook reflects those of the music revolutionaries from the late sixties/early seventies. “You just can’t lowball everything” she said during our conversation on the telephone yesterday. “I don’t understand what’s happening today; the craziness with our children, but I do know that the human spirit will always seek the truth, where ever it may lie.” “Hey, look; kids are going to want to eat ice cream all the time, we all did, but that doesn’t mean you feed them nothing but ice cream at all hours of the day!” She feels obligated to do more, give more, and provide an example for the meandering youth. These feelings however; wanting to contribute, do not sit idle in the rock-n-roll world of Margaret Scranton.
Hailing from a bloodline of strong teachers (both grandparents were educators), Scranton splits time between her art (both music and photography) and teaching music to young kids. “Technology has made people lazy” she said. She tries to give her students a strong sense of self first, and let them develop their skills from there. This learned self reliance can manifest in rare acts of follow-through. Something that is wholly lacking amongst young people today. “I try to teach a simple concept: Don’t accept what’s been handed to you, and stand up for yourself.” If only more of our full-time teachers shared her passion and drive, we would surely see a difference in the attitude of students today. Scranton says we need to re-learn how to truly commit to something, anything; whether it be our job, hobby, or chosen form of artistic expression.
The art of commitment is something Scranton knows intimately. This is evident through her own thirst for knowledge and musical education. Acknowledging Randy Rhodes as an integral source of her inspiration was not enough for this motivated artist. She wanted to learn and soak up as much as she could; about his playing, and guitar theory in general. So, who did she enlist for this musical education? The mother of Randy Rhodes! Now there is a story in itself, but perhaps for another time. Scranton also cites Van Halen as another inspirational band. She saw them live in 82′ (what a time to see those guys; at the peak of their greatness) and was hooked. Clearly she has ideas about what she likes and how to make things happen. In this world of instant gratification, her sheer will and determination are a beacon for struggling artists trying to keep true to their own visions.
While speaking of other artists that have carried this torch before her, we got onto the subject of the masterfully talented Tori Amos. “Tori gave me permission to be myself.” “If we all had the same plastic surgeries we wouldn’t be very interesting, now would we?” Being a huge fan of Amos myself, I can relate to Scranton’s feelings about her artistry. Tori Amos has never been afraid to cover the socially taboo; whether in her songs, or even say the things we’re all scared to say (her song “God” for example, and the video; which set the hairs of right wing Christians ablaze all across the country at the time).
Her world view is also mightily optimistic, which is yet another refreshing side of Scranton. “Evil has no power” she says, “only seduction.” A great line; stated plainly, with no superfluous adjectives or political bantering for effect. This streamlined, positive point of view is perhaps the greatest looking glass into her music; which is seductive and raw in its emotional charge. Her sound rocks, yet is surprisingly polished. “I feel like I need to give people some kinda hope” she said with the type of conviction that will get her what she wants if she makes the right moves. Check out some of her songs on her myspace page here.
The Margaret Scranton band will be playing at the Pine Street Bar & Grill this Friday in Livermore. We’ll be there, so come on down and enjoy some good ol’ rock-n-roll!!
