Before you get all huffy on me, calm down…do not take the title as literal as it sounds. I love the Avett Brothers and will most definitely be attending their show on Sunday so just chill for a second and give this read a chance. It caught your attention though right? Like many others out there I, too, am greatly looking forward to the Avett Brothers concert this Sunday, the 28th at the Murat Egyptian Room. For those of you who are reading this thinking, “no way, I have to get a ticket” I’m sorry but the show is already sold out. Well actually, no I’m not sorry, if you were really a fan in the first place you would not have waited this long to get a ticket. boom. roasted!
Ah the Avett Brothers…what incredible songwriters and musicians. What I’m not here to do is to debate their talent. They’ve got what it takes and there’s no second guessing that. What I am here to do is to pose a few questions. Similar to bands who have been around for nearly a decade, such as Kings of Leon or Phoenix, what exactly was it about all of their latest albums that made them become SO successful in the past year or so? Now, don’t get me wrong, I know that all three of these bands have been popular and done extremely well before their latest works. However, there was a moment, a song, a video, a commercial, an article…SOMETHING happened in order to take these bands to the next level.
I don’t want anyone out there to feel as though I’m “picking on” the Avett Brothers or the other two bands for that matter. That is by no means the purpose of this article. However, it IS of interest to me that just a few years ago I paid only a few dollars to see them in a quaint bar in Athens, GA and the next thing you know they’re selling out the Egyptian Room. Obviously in some cases it will take years for bands to make it big. What interests me, is that all three bands’ latest albums have one thing in common—-they are much more poppy and mainstream.
Do some bands eventually have to compromise their style of music in order to appeal to the masses?
Every band wants to sell their music and play sold out shows— BUT, in the harsh and competitive world of music that’s just not possible for everyone. You see, whether we actually realize it or not, us music listeners are a rough crowd, not to mention tough critics. As a whole, people seem to know what they like, and that “sound” becomes fairly obvious when you have things such as iTunes and Billboard. Whether or not artists recognize that they’re dong it, they often times alter their music to get closer to that “sound.” I’m not saying that’s such a terrible thing, I personally loved all three of their recent albums but that doesn’t stop me from realizing their style has slightly transformed. Thankfully, all of the bands I mentioned continue to have their unique touch to really prove they’re still the same old crew you’ve always loved. What I am wondering though, is if there is anyone out there who is just really pissed off. Is there someone who has been a fan since 2002 who can’t stand their latest album? Is there someone who laughs at the fact that the Avett Brothers show is sold out? I’m just intrigued, especially considering my music confession last week…I mean there’s got to be someone.
Take the Avett Brothers for example, there’s no doubt that I and Love and You is more mainstream than their previous albums. With songs like “Kick Drum Heart” and ” Slight Figure of Speech” I challenge someone to question that statement. So was that the cause of their up rise in the music world, or could it have been the way they marketed their songs? Hmm…which brings me to my next question.
Do some bands have to modify their demographic or target audience in order to be successful?
I’ll never forget the day I was flipping through channels and immediately stopped to hear “I and Love and You” playing at the end of One Tree Hill. “Oh come onnnnn” is precisely what ran through my head. How is such a crappy television show deserving of such a remarkable song? The thing is, you have to give it to ‘em, “well played!” I thought. Go after those teenyboppers, the ones who are still under their parent’s iTunes account, or more importantly, their parent’s credit cards. I’m sure nothing is more annoying than screaming adolescents at a concert, however, at the end of the day, they’re the money makers. Kind of reminds me of that old saying…except rather boys versus girls, i’d say it’s along the lines of the band getting older but the crowd remaining the same age. Is it irritating to the band and/or original followers that the majority of their fan base was only in diapers when their first record came out? I’m curious.
Do bands like the Avett Brothers even reflect on these questions or is it all just understood that this is the way the music industry works? Oh the music world…how you never cease to leave me with questions without answers.
I am literally counting the hours until I can hear the harmonious, wondrous sounds of THE Avett Brothers. To all those haters out there who didn’t get a ticket in time…be jealous, that’s all.
The Avett Brothers are also mentioned here, check it out for an informative read:
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