Pop-Ed: Delusions of Bandeur
posted in: Features • Music News • OurStage Updates
Hard to believe we’re already a month into 2012. Just as hard to believe is that we’ve almost got season two of The OurStage Panel in the can for you. That’s right, we just wrapped the first four episodes. Now all that’s left is the finale, which is gonna be big, man. Big. Might I add that the one and only Gavin DeGraw is our guest panelist this season? I might. I might just. Stay tuned for updates.
What else is new? I’ve been enjoying the outrage over that TIME Magazine piece on the two brothers in a band trying to make it in some kind of misguided interpretation of the modern day music business. Their central claim is that it costs $100,000 to operate a band these days.
"We've been mentored by former British rock stars..." Are they no longer British?
This, of course, is insane. To begin with, everyone does things differently. Every successful artist has a different story about how they got where they are. But then there are varying degrees of over-inflation in their good-natured, passive-aggressive, woe-is-me, itemized list. This aspect quite riled up some people.
Top BACKLASHES:
- The A.V. Club: Band claims it costs $100,000 to make it in indie rock, finally rendering the term indie rock meaningless
- The Lefsetz Letter: Time Magazine Band
- And our own Munson the Destroyer gives his quick take:
You can absolutely be a successful artist without dropping $100k. First of all, they shouldn’t include lessons [in their tally]” that’s a personal expense and something not everyone needs to incur. Secondly, that instrument cost is well inflated. Drag that price out over a decade and halve it due to gifted instruments and it would make more sense. Lastly, there’s no way that they need to blow a bunch of money on living in NYC. Cool sob story, fellas. Learn to spend your money better and do some things yourself. It’s a rough world, learn to adapt.
In fairness, they spent $43,000 on a dozen of these hats.
All of this is not to say that you can’t spend $100k a year on creating, recording and promoting your band or career. Yes, I think it can be very easily done. But, damn Sam, if you have that kind of money to spend, don’t do it like these goofballs. Send it to me. I will make your ass famous. I mean that literally. Your ass. Famous. Nothing more, nothing less.
Speaking of new and interesting and not stupid ways to promote your art, watch our BandAids column for creative ideas.
Alright then.
P.S. Spiritualized just announced a 2012 North American tour. Thank you @babyjeebuz.