Went to see James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and his friend, novelist Sam Lipsyte "In Conversation" at Joe's Pub tonight. I love the whole "In Conversation" construct-even when it doesn't work, as this one sometimes did not, it's still intriguing to watch people really talk, awkward patches and all. (This is a big part of why I am totally inot 'Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...' on The Sundance Channel-real conversation between two artists, about their shared passion, not an interviewer and a 'star' and which is bluntly all about that star). They projected some of their notes, suggestions for topics to get into-you'll get a better idea of the topics from this than from any of my paraphrasing. Click on the image to see it bigger.
Murphy made a comment about hearing a song coming from passing cars in his neighborhood, saying that now that radio was dead this was the new radio--and that those cars were hired to drive through "hot" neighborhoods (Williamsburg in his case) and saturate the air with selected singles. Brilliant marketing move but a very disturbing trend, this steady, subtle encroachment of advertising into all spaces--both private and public, like Bedford Street in Williamsburg. It reminded me of an interview I read with LL Cool J years ago. When asked when the moment was that he realized he'd achieved success. He said it was the first time he heard one of his songs coming out of a passing car-"because that's one big radio station". When that highly democratic station is co-opted by viral marketers and becomes about buying airtime I'd say we're losing something that belonged to all of us--even cars blasting music at all hours can certainly be annoying it was, in a very real way, the voice of the people..
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