Even after the shitload of criticism Of Montreal got for selling a song to Outback Steakhouse, they are once again going commercial, this time for T-Mobile. Lead singer Kevin Barnes wrote an essay, titled Selling Out Isn't Possible, about how the punk rock manifesto is bullshit and how musicians need to sell their art to continue making more. He makes a lot of really good points, but then says he would never change his creative output to fit in with the commercial world. Isn't that exactly what they did when they changed their lyrics for Outback?
I think most fans today have loosened their notions of where it is and isn't ok to hear their favorite bands... especially considering many fans won't even pay for music these days. Some commercial placements are very fitting and don't tarnish the song, like this one for M&M's featuring Iron & Wine. Meanwhile, other ad placements frustrate fans and musicians alike. Band of Horses recently backed out of a Wal-Mart deal because of backlash from their fans. I still really dig Of Montreal. One of my favorite songs is forever tainted, but if sacrificing that one song made the album Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? possible, then that's fine by me.
November 17, 2007
Of Montreal on Selling Out
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3 comments:
I'm not familiar with what happened regarding Outback, but I assume that an altered version of one of their songs was played during an ad.
I would argue that, in that case, the "creative output" was the production of the original recording, which was (presumably) not done for Outback.
That is, I think what he's promising is not to write new songs with commercial placement in mind.
I have no problem with songs I like being used in commercials. The worst thing about a song I like being used in a commercial is the potential for me to get really, really sick of it, but that hasn't happened in a long, long time (like, since back when I listened to commercial radio).
One of the things I actually appreciate about the very fact that bands get picked up for ads is that oft times you might not be terribly interested or have access to them without it.
I can't say I'd have ever taken a stab at Kings of Leon w/o knowing something of them from a fairly ass-kickin' Volkswagen commercial. So in this regard -- more power to you guys. That being said, however, the lyrics were "take it or leave it." Didn't have to "Outback" it up for anyone. But who knows, perhaps they would have for an easy payday and a smidge more exposure than the buzz Rolling Stone could generate for them.
What we DO need less of is Cadillac inundating us with ads featuring, ".... been a long time since I rock and rolled." Surely Plant and Page don't need that money (don't get me wrong though, a classic riff to be certain!). But damn, old guys, let the Fratelli's get a crack at it with "Flathead" instead....
Actually, Cadillac is giving someone else a shot. Someone who I'm sure could really use the extra cash. Check it out...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Sxlgjhb9x6M
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