Monday, April 28, 2014

Lorde vs media



Via Consequence of Sound... " In a post on her Tumblr, Lorde attacked Complex magazine for publishing a negative review of Iggy Azalea’s debut The New Classic shortly after featuring her on a print cover. 

As Lorde wrote, it “bugs me how publications like complex will profile interesting artists in order to sell copies/get clicks and then shit on their records? it happens to me all the time- pitchfork and that ilk being like “can we interview you?” after totally taking the piss out of me in a review. have a stance on an artist and stick to it. don’t act like you respect them then throw them under the bus."

Azalea responded to the post via Twitter, writing, “I agree @lordemusic media LOVE to flop about, But when you’re completely spineless Im sure its hard to stick to even ur own opinion #GoGirl.”

Complex Magazine's Associate Editor Insanul Ahmed responded, with "Why Lorde, Iggy Azalea, & Grimes Are Wrong About Criticism and Journalism." 

Part of his response starts by playing on Lorde's age, which is perhaps trying to suggest she's young and naive. But anyone who follows her on social media knows otherwise. She's plenty media-savvy, which makes her attack on the media seem a bit odd. Ahmed goes on to say...

"... Lorde declaring “have a stance on an artist and stick to it” is a bizarre notion for an organization like Complex, which is to say bizarre for any media organization that claims to have any journalistic integrity. No one should stick to their opinion when new facts (possibly in the form of new music) are made available that can alter your views...

"... If Complex—or the media at large—operated the way Lorde wished, it would do away with journalistic integrity all together. Lorde—as well as Iggy—seem to confuse press as “respect” and criticism as being thrown “under the bus.” Truth is, not every media interaction will be mutually beneficial...."

1 comment:

Ginny Vee said...

I think this is one of the issues any emerging or existing music has to deal with. There will always be a "love / hate" relationship between the press / journalism and artists. Some of the love hate will be based on "taste" some on "sensationalism" some on "Controversy". I think you have to accept as an artist that if you put yourself out into the public eye then you more or less become open to any type of press coverage. All artists would of course prefer "positive" interactions (especially early on) but at the end of the day it should be a "bell curve" if you make good products - good music. there will be the extremes of the curve (for many motives) but as a music professional you just need to accept it. After ten years doing covers in Italy - i'm part of a major new music project. It will be very high profile - major press through ANSA - and a raft of interviews and articles as I go out in August. I have no fears about recording - performing or my art. My biggest fears are actually about the press - but I just have to accept it - confront it and "manage it". Luckily in my team is a major high hitting media manager that will help me with this - but control is an illusion with the press(Tell me I live in Italy). I'm delighted to interact with any artist that wants to discuss this more. They can find all my details at www.ginnyvee.com - and it may just be interesting to see how I fair as we launch in August. Look for the hashtag #nextbigmusicartist #nbma and it should find its way to my press. "If you run with the wolves..."