If you combine my uncanny ability to retain any song I hear with a healthy dose of snow-related cabin fever and more than a little egg nog, this song becomes REALLY fun to dance to.
Imagine my shock when my boyfriend had to tell me this was Vampire Weekend.
Clearly, I'm not as hipster as I'd like to think. Someone get me some PBR, stat.
Either I'm not as cool as I thought I was, or he is far cooler. I have a growing suspicion that both of these things are true.
Before we accuse them too quickly of selling out, I'd like to point out that several artists are using commercials as a launching platform for exposure. Vampire Weekend wasn't even the only one this holiday season.
Perhaps you recognized Pomplamoose:
A friend of mine described this one as "the car commercial with the awkward singing".
I'm quick to jump down the throat of people that overuse the word "awkward", but I have to say my friend was right on the money with this one. I also have to say that if this commercial were my sole impression of Pomplamoose, I'd go on a murderous spree because I'm not more famous than the girl with the awkward singing. Alas, I've heard some recordings of theirs that are pretty fun. Check out "Expiration Date" if you get the chance.
Another one of my favorites that introduced me to my beloved Ingrid Michaelson:
For reals. My friend just got his iPod touch a couple years ago, Shazammed that shiz, and found her. And now, she's all growed up and writing duets for herself and Sara Bareilles (Please check out "Winter Song" if you don't know it already. I don't know why this post refuses to post linky-majigs today, otherwise I'd do the work for you.) You go, Glen Coco! Whoops, I meant Ingrid. Sorry. #MeanGirlsReference
You can't blame these artists for looking to commercials to reach a broader audience. The old formula for fame went something like "Get signed to a label, they'll put you on the radio, and people will hear of you."
Enter: the internet. Suddenly, the radio isn't the only route to audiences. The good news: it's far easier to get exposure. The bad news: There's far more competition for your audience's attention.
So artists are turning to television. It works for them, because millions of people hear their music. It works for advertisers, because they don't have to pay high royalty fees for putting up already-popular recordings.
I'm so thankful that Phoenix did this Cadillac commercial, otherwise I don't know how much longer I'd have taken to discover them.
The upside: I now know an artist I really like. The inevitable downside: I can't hear this song without buying a Cadillac SRX.
Now that I've made you want three cars and a sweater, I'mma peace out. In the new year, keep your eyes open for new artists, and keep me posted!
Love,
Laura
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