Life in the House Lights - It's all Politics
Friday, August 29, 2008
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by Arian Murati STAFF WRITER
Check out Arian's current band Pushing Mongo and download their latest EP Nature vs. Nurture. Or read more posts by Arian
Let me get this out of the way first: I am a Political Science major. Essentially, I am earning a degree that I can use to establish my opinionated superiority over the idiots I come across on a daily basis. However, I do not act in such a pretentious manner. In fact, I don't even talk about politics unless I absolutely have to. I'm a musician first, a Mac user second, and a political elitist third. I do not cross my views with my music, nor do I usually care enough to argue. With that established, let's move on to the story.
I do a good amount of booking through the internets, so I don't always get to meet or speak to some promoters until the night of the show. I was emailed about an open slot at a club in NYC, so I looked into it and contacted the promoter. After a few exchanges, he tells me that we're on a list of backup bands for that particular show, but there are open shows later in the month. I was alright with that, because a gig is a gig. I wasn't really too concerned about this one, it was just a small bar for acoustic bands. ( Note to bands: Even if you're not in an acoustic band, play acoustic shows. They're easy to book, fun to play, and don't require all the formalities and tribulations of playing rock clubs.)
We ended up not getting the gig, which wasn't a big deal. I planned on just contacting him another time and reserving a spot on a later date. I check my email, and to my surprise, I have a bit more spam than usual, and from that promoter oddly enough. I thought that Gmail was filtering my mail incorrectly, but then upon further inspection, I saw that he was using another address. How dare I question Gmail. The guy was some sort of renegade McCain supporter who sent out anti-Obama emails, at which point, a nice big "what the fuck?" was in order.
I contacted him the next day and asked why I was put on this mailing list of his. I asked to be taken off immediately, while still staying cautious. I didn't want to say anything to piss this guy off, because I still wanted to play the show. Two days later, I get a response:
"....I'm just trying to inform people here. You Obamaniacs are trying to vote in a left wing [sic] extremeist who is going to destroy this country..."
There was more but I'll spare you from the idiocy. In response, what I should have said what nothing. (Mike Birbiglia reference!) What I did say was:
"Not only have you made sweeping generalizations about my political views without even knowing who I am, (I am an Obama supporter, but not a "left wing extremeist" as you so incorrectly spelled) you are simply making a fool of yourself. You are entitled to your opinion, however you neglect to realize that I am as well. In fact, we all are. You have no right to spread your idiotic rhetoric, if I can even call it that, to people who give you their email addresses for the purpose of booking shows. You should be sterilized to save the future of this great nation."
Alright, I didn't say that last sentence, but it would have been totally badass if I did. I am still awaiting a response, and I'm fairly certain that I won't get one. I'm also fairly certain that I won't get a gig at his bar.
Which brings me to today's lesson. Don't do what I did. I only did that because on the internet, I can be a 6'8 black guy, when in all reality, I'm built like a heroin addict. Although I didn't start it, I decided to be a dick and respond with my douche-baggery. The entire time I was reading his email, I thought "Wow, this is going to be a fantastic PopSense article", so there you go asshats. I lost a gig, mostly from being a self-righteous prick, but also for your entertainment.
You're welcome.
Let me get this out of the way first: I am a Political Science major. Essentially, I am earning a degree that I can use to establish my opinionated superiority over the idiots I come across on a daily basis. However, I do not act in such a pretentious manner. In fact, I don't even talk about politics unless I absolutely have to. I'm a musician first, a Mac user second, and a political elitist third. I do not cross my views with my music, nor do I usually care enough to argue. With that established, let's move on to the story. I do a good amount of booking through the internets, so I don't always get to meet or speak to some promoters until the night of the show. I was emailed about an open slot at a club in NYC, so I looked into it and contacted the promoter. After a few exchanges, he tells me that we're on a list of backup bands for that particular show, but there are open shows later in the month. I was alright with that, because a gig is a gig. I wasn't really too concerned about this one, it was just a small bar for acoustic bands. ( Note to bands: Even if you're not in an acoustic band, play acoustic shows. They're easy to book, fun to play, and don't require all the formalities and tribulations of playing rock clubs.)
We ended up not getting the gig, which wasn't a big deal. I planned on just contacting him another time and reserving a spot on a later date. I check my email, and to my surprise, I have a bit more spam than usual, and from that promoter oddly enough. I thought that Gmail was filtering my mail incorrectly, but then upon further inspection, I saw that he was using another address. How dare I question Gmail. The guy was some sort of renegade McCain supporter who sent out anti-Obama emails, at which point, a nice big "what the fuck?" was in order.I contacted him the next day and asked why I was put on this mailing list of his. I asked to be taken off immediately, while still staying cautious. I didn't want to say anything to piss this guy off, because I still wanted to play the show. Two days later, I get a response:
"....I'm just trying to inform people here. You Obamaniacs are trying to vote in a left wing [sic] extremeist who is going to destroy this country..."
There was more but I'll spare you from the idiocy. In response, what I should have said what nothing. (Mike Birbiglia reference!) What I did say was:
"Not only have you made sweeping generalizations about my political views without even knowing who I am, (I am an Obama supporter, but not a "left wing extremeist" as you so incorrectly spelled) you are simply making a fool of yourself. You are entitled to your opinion, however you neglect to realize that I am as well. In fact, we all are. You have no right to spread your idiotic rhetoric, if I can even call it that, to people who give you their email addresses for the purpose of booking shows. You should be sterilized to save the future of this great nation."Alright, I didn't say that last sentence, but it would have been totally badass if I did. I am still awaiting a response, and I'm fairly certain that I won't get one. I'm also fairly certain that I won't get a gig at his bar.
Which brings me to today's lesson. Don't do what I did. I only did that because on the internet, I can be a 6'8 black guy, when in all reality, I'm built like a heroin addict. Although I didn't start it, I decided to be a dick and respond with my douche-baggery. The entire time I was reading his email, I thought "Wow, this is going to be a fantastic PopSense article", so there you go asshats. I lost a gig, mostly from being a self-righteous prick, but also for your entertainment.
You're welcome.
yes, another fantastic story, and thanks for the band tips as always-- acoustic shows will be on my list of things to look out for!
Mike Birbiglia, wow haha. You're like a wise old man (Keith Richards?) telling stories to his tribe of fledgling rockers, so good!
I love the things you do in the name of popsense! And your use of words like douchebaggery and asshats!
I don't think you were wrong to go off on him. It's interesting to see the tables turned in this case, cause usually you see a more liberal spin from the music crowd (a la the 60s), and that's just as frustrating. Both sides should not take advantage of their position of musical power to use propaganda for political things that have no affiliation with their job. Well done my friend, well done.
I gotta disagree with the lesson-- you HAD to do what you did! Cause what if you got to the show and they were handing out mccain flyers and such, fans and passersby might assume that you were doing the show for a political purpose, and bam you've lost half your potential audience. Bands should do good things by example when they can; play a benefit show for a cause that everyone can agree on, etc, but it was best that you stayed out of this situation before you became aligned with something you wanted nothing to do with. Although you probably could have said it more politely haha... well, anything in the name of popsense, right?
I agree with bigblue, good job, way to stand up for what you believe is right.
I also agree with Mark-- in popsense we trust.
hahah i mac user second. The whole article was great, but you pulled me in immediately with that
wow, this was great! can't wait for more! like mark said, i love your use of words, so funny.
Go arian you tell that douche (sp) that if you mess with mongo it will go wrongo!