Tuesday, January 18, 2011

HIPSTER RUNOFF

HIPSTER RUNOFF

VIDEO: Some bloggers go to a conference and talk abt how mp3 blogs are rlly important 2 the music industry

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 03:42 PM PST


Just watched some videos of some 'panels' of some ppl talking about topics that are 'relevant 2 the indie music industry.' I remember this kind of stuff used 2 be interesting back in 2k4-2k6, back when blogs were 'emerging' and 'kewl, new places 2 find mp3s', but now even blogs + the state of music journalism kinda 'is what it is' and no1 really cares and the large blogs are 'just a part of the machine', 'don't do anything for truly independent artists' and 'musicians can't make money.'

There are 2 panels of interest. One is about 'Are bloggers more important than record labels?' and the other 1 is "Has music journalism gone down the shitter?"

Here is some panel called "Debate: Bloggers vs. A&R's: The Smackdown" where some bloggers and some A&R ppl talk abt who is more important. Bloggers are probably all like 'we find artists and promote them and record labels aren't even necessary. My blog gets tons of hits and has an organic fan base that is more powerful than any record label.' Then the A&R ppl are probably like 'bloggers are lamestreamers who don't add anything to the_conversation. Bloggers need 2 get their heads up out of their asses. We actually make money (theoretically).'

In this corner: Bloggers. In the other corner: A&R's. Who finds bands first? Who influences who? Who listens to more music? Are bloggers doing the work of A&R people?

Moderator: David Prince (Billboard/The Daily Swarm)

Bloggers:
Matthew Perpetua (Fluxblog), Bjorn Jeffery (Discobelle), Ryan Catbird (Catbirdseat)

A&R:
Nick Catchdubs (Fool's Gold), Dean Bein (True Panther/Matador A&R), Gordon Conrad (Relapse)


I have no idea who these blggrs are, what they blog abt, whose careers they helped, or what they contribute 2 the scene, but I guess it is 'interesting' 2 hear ppl talk abt a pseudo-industry that they are very proud of. Whose side are u on? Are bloggers more important than A&R ppl? What does A&R even 'mean'?

Does n e 1 know if bloggers are important 2 the music industry?
Do they talk abt progressive ideas that can help every band 2 monetize in our zany internet music scene?

Who are the true 'thought leaders' in the music industry?
Does n e 1 even care abt u and ur lil blogspot?
Should they have invited Carles?

Here is some series about 'the state of music journalism.' I think they basically say "THE INTERNET HAS ITZ POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES. MORE PPL HAVE A VOICE NOW, SO IF U SEARCH FOR IT, THERE IS QUALITY WRITING. HOWEVER... THE_BLOG_MACHINE IS S00 BORING AND REPETITIVE."

The rise of blogs provided a vehicle for a new generation of music writers and made music critics at mainstream publications need to prove their relevance. As print publications have had to defend why they are not obsolete, they’ve also seen their ad revenue, budgets and page counts shrink. But what most online music writers can’t, or don’t, do is go out and report stories. They aren’t observing or getting the facts about the cultures and places that create the music. Long-form journalism and big pictures currently don’t translate digitally, but are there just other, better, ways of doing music reportage online?

Moderator: Eric Ducker (Malbon Farms)
Panelists: Maura Johnston (Idolator), Michael Reich (Videothing), Rob Harvilla (Village Voice)

There are like 100 parts 2 this but they just kinda keep saying like "things are sooo different. A lot of blogs suck. eff the

Each of these videos have like 100 more parts [link], but I think they are probably pretty boring bc I didn't even watch these 4 that I embedded. Just sorta assumed no1 had anything innovative 2 say bc they are active participants in 'the_problem.'

Who would be ur 'dream panel' of music bloggers/relevant online music journalism personalities?
Is the music industry 'effed'?
Does n e 1 even care abt music journalism any more, or do ppl just want to DL free MP3s and 'decide 4 themselves'?
Do u think it was really nice of Scion 2 sponsor this 'intellectual summit' or should they have just wasted money throwing a huge partie with free alcohol + free car giveaways?
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH INDIE ARTISTS, THE MODERN MUSIC INDUSTRY, THE INTERNET, MONETIZING UR BUZZBAND + BLOGSITE, TWITTER, SOCIAL MEDIA, ITUNES, MAGAZINES, AUTHENTIC JOURNALISM AND ____________?

Did Best Coast abandon Snacks in her new cat-infested music video?

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 10:45 AM PST

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Just watched this new Best Coast video for "Crazy for You" which debuted on a website called icanhascheezburger.com that is dedicated 2 taking pix of cats and writing words on the pictures, as if the cats are retarded humans who don't rlly know how 2 speak or type properly.

Here are the predominant story lines:

  • Tons of cats in the video
  • Bethany looks totally keut
  • they didn't use Snacks the Cat in the video
  • The video 'ripped off' the Wes Anderson aesthetic
  • Best Coast tried to co-brand with the LOLCAT community 2 bring her music 2 more lamestreamers who are probably all like 'omg what a keut viddyeo. i luv lolcats.'

Do u think Bethany looks keut?

Do u think Bethany 'shafted' Snacks?
Is Bethany going 2 'fire' Snacks as her mascot?

Has the 'kitty fetish' gone 2 far?

Are ppl who LOL@cats the ultimate lamestreamers?
Was cobranding with ICanHasCheeseburgers a 'great idea' or just 'forced conceptual modern marketing'?
Was it better than just 'debuting it on some boring old indie blogsite where every1 has already heard of u'?
Do u think she acquired new fans?
Will Best Coast's next album 'outperform' Feist if she has at least 1 acoustic song + 1 piano wave song?
Has Best Coast branded herself as 'the official cat lady of indie'?

Michael Cera keeps 'crushing it' in his red beanie in his buzzband

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 09:02 AM PST

Photo via Brooklyn Vegan by Graeme Flegenheimer


Mikey Cera
Still in his buzzband
'Mister Heavenly'
Wearin his red beanie
playing bass
on his irregular bass

Feel like he needs 2 'get his a$$ back 2 Hollywood'
act in some 'serious, yet lighthearted dramedies'
Refine his skills
Grab a few Oscars
Play 'the Riddler' in the upcoming sequel to 'The Dark Knights'

Here is the guy that threatened 2 murder Carles [via Nick Diamonds] [link]

Oh Mikey...
When r u gonna go solo
and just 'play bass riffs on stage'
while delivering funny lines from ur movies+tv shows
Give the fans what they want, broski

Mister Heavenly...
not sure how much time u have left
Feel like maybe u should try to 'hire' Michael Cera
just to ensure ur band gets neverending buzz
U can write songs that sound like All American Reject / Metrostation / Linkin Park
and win a few Grammies
make 'mad bank.'
That's what music is all abt

Is Mikey Cera continuing to 'kill it' with his red beanie on?
Is Mister Heavenly getting more relevant each and every day?
Should Mister Heavenly offer a 'contract extension' 2 Mike Cera?
Has Mike Cera's acting career 'flopped' and should he seriously consider becoming 'the new Panda Bear'?

Peter Bjorn & John release a new song that isn't as good as "Young Folks"

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 08:39 AM PST

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"Young Folks" was one of the definitive mp3s of the indie meaningfulcore era because it was a duet, had upbeat percussion, and lots of whistling. It seems unreasonable 2 ask Peter Bjorn and John 2 craft another indie hit, but unfortunately, every time any1 listens 2 another PBJ song, they are hoping 2 hear "Young Folks 2.0."

This is the video for a song called "Breaker, Breaker." Feel like it rips of Vampire Weekend's hit video "A-Punkin' Around."

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Is PB&J's new song 'a stinker'?
Can they ever recapture the magic of "Young Ppl"?

Do yall miss "Young Folks"?

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Do u miss this cartoon bro?
Do u think he is in indie heaven?

Do u miss ur indie prime?
Is "Young Folks" the greatest/most entry level song of the 2k0s?
Can Peter Bjorn and John revitalize their career?

Natalie Portman tries 2 look elegant at the Golden Globes even though there is a baby in her tummie

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 06:25 PM PST


Natalie Portman is the co-star of "Garden State: The Zack Braff Story", and the star of the hit lesbian-wave film "The Black Swans: I'm Goin Crazie BC I'm skinny and need 2 eat some food instead of dancing, yall." It seems like she was nominated for an award at The Golden Globes, so she had to go, even though she is pregnant, and she is probably all cranky and all like "Yall! My feet hurt! I'm emotional [via hormones]... I'm having cravings! Bring me some pickles, Butterfingers, and Chili's SXSWestern eggrolls."

Anyways, she had to go bc the Golden Globes are like a 'prelim' 4 the Oscars, and she wore some huge ass curtain/drape 2 'hide' her bump.

I am not sure if she strategically wore a dress 2 'hide' her figure, or if she was trying to show off that she had 2x the beautifulness in her body [via baby on board].

Could she have done more 2 show off her 'baby bump'? Do u think 'maternity gear' is 'uggo' or 'truly progressive fashion'?

Will she do the cliched 'naked pregnant tummie photos' for some sort of high end fashion magazine?
Does Natalie Portman 'look good'?
Is Nat Ports 'alt'?
Was Natalie Portman's Black Swan performance 'mad overrated'?
Do u think Nat Port will be a milf, or will u kinda get turned off?
Do u think Hollywood moms only have babies just 2 save their careers?

Crystal Castles releases a boring new video that doesn't have enough Alice Glass in it

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 05:54 PM PST

EDIT: THIS IS A REJECTED CRYSTAL CASTLES VIDEO THAT THE BAND REJECTED BC IT IS TERRIBLE. BOB SMITH AND ALLERS GLASS ARE OKAY.


I just watched this 'new video' by the hit buzzband Crystal Castles. Now that they have let the Cure's Robert "Bob" Smith in2 the band, they are really trying 2 'crossover' and hit new audiences, so I don't rlly know why they did the traditional 'vintage footage' gimmick. Feel like they coulda gone 'hella dark' or something. This didn't really even keep my attention, I sorta just scrolled around looking to find Alice, but there were just a few random ass girls or something.

Confused. Just want more Alice. :-(

<3 <3 <3 Am I t0TaLLy AddiCtEd 2 ALiCe GLa$$? <3 <3 <3

Here is a screen shot of some random lady girl woman in the video. No idea who she is or what she represents.

Is this music video 'a letdown'?
Do u expect 2 see more Alice in every CC music video?
Should ever Crystal Castles music video just feature Alice Glass 'secret cams' in her house?
Would u pay for a 24/7 live feed of Alice Glass' life? [via being an indie creep]
Do u think Robert Smith is 'being a dick' and not letting Alice do her thang?

Will Robert Smith 'ruin' Crystal Castles by forcing Alice out?
Do u wish u got 2 see an Alice Glass Vs Bob Smith 'battle 2 the death'?