The Politics Of My iPod 2008
0 Comments Published by Aiden Landman on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 6:00 AM.
In presidential politics, in politics in general, there are different kinds of endorsements. Former presidents and their cabinets, congressmen, governors, and ex-military officers all generally support one candidate or the other publicly. Some find themselves on the stump or careening through the talk show circuit fomenting their candidate's ultimate aspiration of ascending to the oval office.
Media outlets, be they mainstream or otherwise, will also generally opt to rubber stamp a nominee. Newspapers, pundits, and bloggers typically engage in this practice.
Celebrities and musicians are also no strangers to voicing adulatory praise upon a candidate. Of all endorsements, those made by entertainers are generally seen as the least consequential.
But, what if that is not the case. (It is the case).
Well, maybe it is the case, however unconsciously. Maybe my mind is controlled by subliminal messages hidden in the digital information stored in my iPod or hidden in the grooves of my favorite records.
Does my music influence me? Do I influence my music? Or are the two mutually exclusive? If my iPod could vote, for whom would it cast a ballot.
Let's lay the ground rules for the experiment. With rare exception, this probe will only involve American bands. The exception being if the band's leader is a U.S. native or vocal advocate. Of course, an artist listed must have a presence on my iPod. If I can not find any information concerning how a particular band or musician will vote, they will be skipped entirely.
The list below is divided into three sections: Name - Presidential Ticket - Summarization of Endorsement.
Andrew Bird - Barack Obama/ Joe Biden - Played benefit shows with Dianogah, Fiery Furnaces, Les Savy Fav
Win Butler (Arcade Fire) - Obama/ Biden - "Barack is the first candidate in my lifetime to strip some of this bullshit away, and I just hope we don't blow this chance. man if we miss this opportunity we don't deserve it...how bad does it have to get? (arcadefire.com)"
Beastie Boys - Obama/ Biden - Currently on a tour of swing states.
Zach Condon (Beirut) - Obama/ Biden - Performed at 10/17/08 fundraiser with Grizzly Bear
Black Keys - Obama/ Biden - Performed at a benefit in Akron with D.E.V.O.
Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) - Obama/ Biden - Spoke at a rally in Omaha 02/07/08
Cold War Kids - Obama/ Biden - Performed at "Manifest Hope" in Denver, CO.
Cool Kids - Obama/ Biden - Performed at "Change Rocks" in Chicago, IL
Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) - Obama/ Biden - Blogged for Rolling Stone from the DNC.
Decemberists - Obama/ Biden - Performed at a 03/18/08 rally with Obama which drew 72,000 people.
Dodos - Obama/ Biden - Lent their song to one of the campaign's commercials.
Fiery Furnaces - Obama/ Biden - (See Andrew Bird)
Fleet Foxes - Obama/Biden - Recorded cover of "I Shall Be Released" with fellow Obama supporters Wilco.
Grizzly Bear - Obama/ Biden - (See Beirut)
Les Savy Fav - Obama/ Biden - (See Andrew Bird)
Brian Chippendale (Lightning Bolt) - Obama/ Biden - "My eyes welled up with tears listening to Obama speak at the DNC, finally a person who I can be proud of, a figurehead who respects intelligence and speaks with intelligence." (noiseforobama.com)
Mae Shi - Obama/ Biden - Performed at the Noise for Obama benefit 10/11/08.
Mountain Goats - Obama/ Biden - Performed at 03/20/07 voter registration drive in PA.
The National - Obama/ Biden - Designed "Mr. November" T-shirt for Obama campaign.
Randy Newman - Obama/ Biden - Donated $2,300 to Obama's primary campaign.
No Age - Obama/Biden - "Obama is a real human, and we believe in him and his decesions for the better of our country. The human country. Please vote" (noiseforobama.com). Guitarist Randy Randall also recently had his Obama T-shirt censored on CBS' Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Port O'Brien - Obama/ Biden - "We're changing our name to Port Obama." (uncensoredinterview.com)
R.E.M. - Obama/ Biden - Spotted in Obama T-shirt at a 03/08/08 concert.
Sonic Youth - Obama/ Biden - Kim Gordon tells Wonkette Obama "inspires" her.
Superchunk - Obama/ Biden - Performed at 2 North Carolina registration drives with the Arcade Fire.
Tapes 'n' Tapes - Obama/ Biden - Performed at 08/27/08 benefit in MN.
Vampire Weekend - Obama/ Biden - Were scheduled for 10/04/07 rally. Cancelled due to logistical problems.
Stevie Wonder - Obama/ Biden - Lent "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" to the Obama campaign for use at rallies.
Yo La Tengo - Obama/ Biden - Performed at 08/24/08 Obama benefit with Titus Andronicus.
100% of the artists on my iPod who have pledged their allegiance to a political candidate have done so for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I have to say, this comes as a shock to me. I expected Barack Obama would win the endorsement of my mp3 player, but I expected John McCain and Sarah Palin would put up a fight. Off the top of my head, I figured it would be a 60-30 split.
Who is supporting McCain/ Palin? The answer it seems is no one of any real substance. Pat Boone, who brought us 1997's "In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy," has endorsed McCain. As have raggeton recording artist Daddy Yankee, that one guy from Five for Fighting, one half of Big & Rich (hint: not Big). Hank Williams Jr. rewrote one of his songs for the McCain/ Palin cause. Originally titled "Family Tradition," and originally about smoking dope and drinking beers, Williams Jr. retitled the song "McCain - Palin Tradition." It is now about how badly the media treats the republican ticket.
Will this endorsement impact you? Has this endorsement impacted me? Probably not. Assuming you are an independent human being you will still vote or not vote (I say vote). If you do vote, you will still vote your conscience, not the ideology of your favorite musicians.
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