Comments on: Wilco + VW Commericals + Pissy Fans + Jeff’s Brother In Law

By: Administrator

Administrator — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:50:58 +0000

Well Mike, only a band like Wilco would even take the time to address the outcry of mostly overreacting fans, for that I give them tons of credit…

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:45:07 +0000

I think the listener has a right to feel a little betrayed and I think it’s more than just because their cool little band is getting bigger. I love Jeff’s line in What Light: “And if the whole worldâ€™s singing your songs/And all of your paintings have been hung/Just remember what was yours is everyoneâ€™s from now on.” The listener has at least some “ownership rights” once something’s been released into the atmosphere.

I don’t put much in the sell-out phrase either, but it’s perfectly valid for people to question or at least wonder aloud about how someone uses “their” song.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:27:09 +0000

The band issued an official statement today, though i doubt it was in response to the message board criticsm…

“With the commercial radio airplay route getting more difficult for many bands,”we see this as another way to get the music out there.”

They continued: “And we feel okay about VWs. Several of us even drive them.”

By: KEXP Blog » Blog Archive » Today in Music: It’s All About The Music

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:33:24 +0000

[...] Some fans of Wilco are none too thrilled that the band has signed on for a new Volkswagen campaign and have said so on the typically pro-Wilco forum Via Chicago. Blogger Danny Miller (Jew Eat Yet?) has stepped up to defend his brother-in-law, Jeff Tweedy, and the rest of the band against selling out. In his column he asks, “despite his refusal to compromise his art, why wouldnâ€™t Jeff want his music to reach the widest possible audience?” And then referring to a sentiment expressed on the board regarding VW’s past connection to the Third Reich, Miller presents this picture of Tweedy with an infamous mustache. Check out the whole post, which is equally hilarious and informative. For their own part, Wilco released a statement on wilcoword explaining that this was just another way to get their music out there, adding “And we feel okay about VWs. Several of us even drive them.” Props to Each Note Secure for pointing out this commercial, which uses a bonus tracks from Sky Blue Sky called “The Thanks I Get”: [...]

By: J-Love

J-Love — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:08:24 +0000

I second Dave’s comment, particularly with regard to Of Montreal – Barnes used the income for a tour bus, wicked-cool props for the live show, and, most importantly security to keep making awesome music. Who wins? The fans.
And hey, maybe more people will be turned on to their music. I don’t know many musicians who strive to keep their music a closely guarded secret. As a “snifflin’ indie kid,” I sympathize with the aforementioned selfishness, though. But there’s almost always someone who can gloat that they’ve known a band longer than you and therefore “appreciate” them more. It gets kinda moot.

Again – that said – I prefer any show at Southgate to anything at Riverbend any day of the week, from a venue standpoint. And up and coming bands outgrown great, intimate venues (oh, the contradictions!)

Thanks for bringing up the discussion, even if the term “sell-out” always makes me vomit a little bit in my mouth.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:36:53 +0000

I think the thing that I hate is when a song is made for a commercial. Obviously, this does not apply to Wilco.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:53:39 +0000

I agree with Dave, but I have to say it hurts my heart a little to hear a song I love being used in a commercial. It sometimes interferes with my own personal memories and images of the song (that was the reasoning some artists gave in the 80s when they were resisting making music videos, but they all eventually gave in and made some). I guess I’m selfish that way. The saving grace is when the commercials are done well, which is the case with these. VW uses music well in commercials.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:30:16 +0000

I agree Dave, and personally, I’m sick of the sell out convo. However, I am not shocked some Wilco fans freaked out over this. All bands have fans that are way over the top it seems..

By: dave

dave — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:54:53 +0000

Alright, here’s my stance on most artists selling their songs… I have no problem with it because it means that they are able to make music full time, which means more albums and more tours from bands I enjoy (i.e. the Of Montreal scenario where Kevin Barnes used the proceeds from the selling of his song to fund a big tour bus for the band)… Sell-outs or not, at least these artists are able to live off of their craft and we’re able to reap the musical benefits