Idolator
1. Idolator? How do you pronounce that again?
Eye-doll-a-tor. (Don't worry, it took us a while to get the hang of it, too.)
2. What's a music blog?
A constantly updated site that's constantly looking for music to listen to and read about — think Rolling Stone, but published in real-time and with fewer raves for reputation-coasting geezers. This 2000 article about blogging should provide further context for anyone still confused.
3. What's the point of Idolator, then? Aren't there a bunch of music blogs out there?
There are — but it's hard to cut through the reams of reprinted press releases and overheated next-blog-thing raves. That's where Idolator comes in.
4. Why don't you link to MP3s on other sites directly?
It's bad form. (See this spirited discussion at Stereogum for a primer on why.) And we don't feel like pissing off the music bloggers that we actually respect.
5. What about the MP3s you host?
The standard disclaimer — they're hosted for a limited time and for promotional purposes only — applies. And if you like whaat you hear, by all means, you should go out and support whatever artists we may have turned you on to.
6. Why are you in such a bad mood all the time?
Music writing isn't only about free CDs, free shows, and free license to spout off about the first time they heard "Sister Christian" on VH1 chat shows. You try getting a CD that you want to write about, trying to find a CD player that'll actually play the thing because it's been watermarked from here to Chinese Democracy's release date and back, and finding a boombox from 1991 that works — right before your friend raves about the awesome album he just downloaded, which is the same one you spent three days looking for a way to play. Seriously. It isn't fun. What we really want to know is, why aren't you in a bad mood? Sure, you may love music, but the industry behind it, with its ticket handling surcharges and lawyers looking to pick a fight anywhere, is one of the most customer-hostile business entities you'll ever encounter.
8. I have a hot tip about this band/label exec/publicist, but I'll totally get fired if I leak it to you.
Don't worry! Every single tip that we get will be 100% anonymous. Just make sure that you send your e-mail — which should be addressed to tips@idolator.com — from an untraceable Gmail account. And please, don't send it while you're at work. We'll keep your secret, unless you're a publicist who tries to send us a "tip" that's a thinly veiled plug of your client. In that case, we'll scream your name from the rooftops, and we won't even mention who you were shilling for.
9. I have this great artist whose new CD I'd like to send you. Would you like to go to their show? Or their album release party?
What's more fun than CDs? Or shows? Or album release parties where you can't hear the album being celebrated? Nothing, we think. Send the details to tips@idolator.com.
10. My company will buy ads if you stop smack-talking our artists. What do you think?
We think ... no way. Once a week, Idolator will publish a thank-you to all of its advertisers, but it will always be clearly marked, as will any sponsored content or contests. We love working with advertisers, but our editorial content and our advertiser content are wholly separate entities.
11. So who are you guys, anyway?
Idolator is published by Gawker Media, which also publishes Gawker, Defamer, Lifehacker, and other blogs. Brian Raftery is the editor, and Maura Johnston is the associate editor; Lockhart Steele oversees the two of them in his capacity as Gawker Media's editorial director, and Nick Denton, Gawker Media's publisher, pays for the server space. Want to know more about Gawker Media? Right this way.
Comments
o.O I don't know where a lot of you get off saying that Evanescence is a "pre-teen band." While they may not be as dark, gothy, and depressing as say someone like Nightwish, they MOST DEFINITELY aren't Fallout Boy or Panic! at the Disco, and all of that emo BS they have filling the radio stations now.
I'm both a fan of Evanescence AND Lacuna Coil, and I don't believe that either of them ripped off the other. They're both great bands who just happen to have a similiar sound. Hello? Most music has a similiar sound; In fact, it's pretty fucking hard nowadays to find something original.
It's true; Wind-Up Records hasn't had a lot of popular bands signed because they're a relatively small company. But what does that matter? So what that they haven't had huge name rockstars or anything of the like? Evanescence has had many offers from several of the big-name companies, but because Wind-Up was the one that offered them a label first, they stay true to them. I personally see that as a great sign of commitment, because who wants to listen to a band that sells out to the highest bidder?
That said, Evanescence is more than "that bad metal band with the chick." They don't sell out to be high on the pop charts; in fact, Amy Lee has said countless times that she could care less if people like them or not. As for this album not being as dramatic as the last one: She's happy! Why is that such a bad thing? As the main songwriter, the songs are gonna be based on what she's feeling, and as she's going through a good time in her life, that's what the song's gonna sound like. It's a fucked up thing when someone wants a singer to be miserable just so they can have something to slit their wrists to.
o.O I don't know where a lot of you get off saying that Evanescence is a "pre-teen band." While they may not be as dark, gothy, and depressing as say someone like Nightwish, they MOST DEFINITELY aren't Fallout Boy or Panic! at the Disco, and all of that emo-bullshit they have filling the radio stations now.
I'm both a fan of Evanescence AND Lacuna Coil, and I don't believe that either of them ripped off the other. They're both great bands who just happen to have a similiar sound. Hello? Most music has a similiar sound; In fact, it's pretty fucking hard nowadays to find something original.
It's true; Wind-Up Records hasn't had a lot of popular bands signed because they're a relatively small company. But what does that matter? So what that they haven't had huge name rockstars or anything of the like? Evanescence has had many offers from several of the big-name companies, but because Wind-Up was the one that offered them a label first, they stay true to them. I personally see that as a great sign of commitment, because who wants to listen to a band that sells out to the highest bidder?
That said, Evanescence is more than "that bad metal band with the chick." They don't sell out to be high on the pop charts; in fact, Amy Lee has said countless times that she could care less if people like them or not. As for this album not being as dramatic as the last one: She's happy! Why is that such a bad thing? As the main songwriter, the songs are gonna be based on what she's feeling, and as she's going through a good time in her life, that's what the song's gonna sound like. It's a fucked up thing when someone wants a singer to be miserable just so they can have something to slit their wrists to.
holy crap! genius! the june brides. my teen angst 80's memories are coming back... this posting just prompted me to drag out the comp, which i confess i haven't listened to in years. Awesome. And let's not forget that Phil Wilson also invented alt-country with his singles on Creation records way before Ryan Adams even thought about picking up a guitar!
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