sellin' out

Though I fully understand that many artists license their music for advertising purposes, namely commercials, I have always wondered why they opt for certain brands over others. Now while being paired with a "cool" product with a great campaign behind it will definitely break any artist, as is the case with apple ipod, their are certain products which are completely devoid of any cool factor and do absolutely nothing more than pay the bills.

I also wonder if being featured in one of the latter type campaigns can do more damage then good. After all, true fans will find themselves thinking wtf!? and possibly question why they would sell out and have their beloved music used in such a misplaced way. Case in point: Spank Rock's "Bump" featured in a Wishbone commercial!? Yes, the dressing! I'm sure you'll have the same reaction:

Now, if used in a proper way, featured music can add a certain cool vibe to a potentially cool product while also returning the favor. A perfect example of selling out to a "proper" product is Santogold. Her song "Creator" ( I know the idea of it being used to sell anything is innately wretched!) is used in the new Bud Light Lime. Though I must admit that I have yet to try the beer, I feel that the commercial at least encourages me to try it. And if I had no idea who santogold was, I would have immediately googled it after viewing this:



So bottom line is, selling out is part of the game, very few judge this in 2008, but choose wisely when lending your songs to any product. The perfect product pulls double duty, accentuating both the product and showcasing your music. Make sure that you the artist will also benefit longer than the check lasts, because as a fan I must admit that I am watching. So, if it is going to be something lame at least do it over seas, so that I don't find myself channel surfing and stopping cuz I hear your song, only to realize I'm being sold Preperation H.

FIN

metropolis

so janelle monae's album is finally dropping tomorrow! it'll be released in 4 "suites" the first one is called "the chase" and there's been tons of hype on this one. it's a concept album and musical take on the fritz lang classic "metropolis." a suite will be released every three months, eventually culminating in a full LP.

and let me tell you that "the chase" is definitely sum exciting shite! (i'm bumpin it right now)

she has some shows coming up, so check her myspace

anoche

Last night was one of those many many nights when I think to myself "I should just go ahead and have my digi permanently attached to my cuerpo." There were many opportunities for some great shots, however my mental photography (tho obviously subpar to my canon) was all that I had. So the images of the vip spot at the hookah lounge, the hookah itself, the bar that followed and my favorite part of the evening: stargazing in a newly acquired friends backyard with a $400 telescope, are not available to the world to post alongside this blog, yet instead flash before me as I reflect on the evenings events.

I must admit that the plus side of not having my digi on me, is that it left me somewhat exposed, and forced me to be more involved and engaging. Where I would have probably opted to continue strolling down the streets of whittier to snap away, I actually had some surprisingly great conversations with some strangers and found myself slightly more positive in terms of my overall opinion of humanity.

good times! (tho I still wish I woulda had my digi, ha!)

santogold

i shoulda been there dammit!
just saw it on the tellie tho...so enjoy:

feti

truth or dare

sometimes the sheer honesty and truth that results from a simple drunken game of self disclosure proves to be too much to handle. yet ultimately when one shares and exposes such a secret they are freed of the shame which accompanies it.

fragments of an evening