[Moshe]

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/..._id=1003605708


Sonic Youth's 'Hits' Heading To Starbucks

 

Sonic Youth

 

June 29, 2007, 10:10 AM ET

 

Michael Paoletta, N.Y.v
In a recent interview, Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore mentioned that the band needed to record a new song for a Starbucks compilation. Within minutes of his remarks hitting the Internet, chat rooms and fan sites were awash in cries of "foul" and "sellouts."

For many, the idea of the ultimate indie art band getting into bed with the ultimate mainstream lifestyle brand was pure blasphemy. "I never thought of it as being more radical than recording for Universal Music," Moore tells Billboard. "They're both corporations that have ties to things that people find sort of problematic."

The compilation in question, "Hits Are for Squares," is a co-release by Starbucks Entertainment and Universal Special Markets. Scheduled for release early next year, it will be sold at select Starbucks locations in eight U.S. markets (including New York, Chicago and Seattle) as well as online at hearmusic.com.

In addition to one new, exclusive track, the limited-edition CD features Sonic Youth songs, handpicked by Chloe Sevigny, Dave Eggers, Michelle Williams and other enthusiasts. Participants will also each write a few words, explaining their selections, for the liner notes.

"I guess, for some, Sonic Youth represents something that they don't really equate with Starbucks," Moore says. "But I kind of like the absurdity of it. Sonic Youth has always, in a way, made itself available to the super mainstream."

"In a way, Sonic Youth has a branded name," he continues. "People know the name, but not necessarily our music, which might be a little too outsider for some. And when they do hear a little something, it doesn't tell the whole story. I thought it would be interesting to have a CD available in a store like Starbucks where the casual consumer can sort of have access to [our music] more readily."

Sonic Youth has yet to record its own contribution to the compilation, but was recently in the studio recording an unidentified Bob Dylan cover that may be used in Todd Haynes' upcoming film "I'm Not There."

Moore is also looking ahead to the Sept. 18 release of a new solo album, "Trees Outside the Academy," which he will support with some live shows.

"Hopefully, I'll get together the group that plays on the record, including Steve Shelley," he says. "Samara Lubelski from Brooklyn plays the electric violin, which acts as a second instrument on almost every track. J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr. plays some killer guitar all over the record. And I play all the acoustic guitar and bass on it. It's a pretty heavy song-based record."

[tesla69]

Folks, Samara just got mentioned in Billboard. THAT THERE IS WORTH THE TRADE OFF.

[Georgekrz]

yes, "handpicked" by david eggers et al, and not "covered by" them as the other web site was reporting. at least they set the story straight. I was thinking david eggers is gonna cover sy?! what the hell a spoken word version...haha

[screamingskull]

whatever

[atsonicpark]

wow guess sy ain't obscure no mo'! damn! and here i thought mtv and every magazine in the world covering them was going to get them exposure! . .but aw hell naw! people who drink coffee will love the feedback swells! i can't like sy cuz people who like danishes and have laptops like 'em! fuck this band!!!

[Rob Instigator]

I am just mad they will not sell them at Houston area starbucks.
whata ripoff.

but at leat I got tickets to the sonic youth show in AUSTIN! (asstown) YAY!!!!

[Everyneurotic]

corporate sluts.

who's up for an sy album torching?

[nicfit]

Originally Posted by Everyneurotic

corporate sluts.

who's up for an sy album torching?

Send all you guys' sy albums to me (side projects included) and I'll handle the big burning.

[Everyneurotic]

no, like this:

 

or more like this:

 

[scott v]

wow you folks are whining wienies... get over it.

if you don't like it, don't buy it.
if you like the idea, then go get it.
simple.

[atari 2600]

French media giant Vivendi Universal is far more of a corp. whore than Starbucks. Sonic Youth's involvement with them was purely incidental as Geffen (where they ha(d)ve a unique deal with the David himself) was amalgamated with Interscope and then for a number of years, both were absorbed by the Vivendi Universal monster. The music & film division was sold to NBC & GE (a kinder, gentler corporate beast?) last year to form NBC Universal and is no longer part of Vivendi.

Starbucks treats employees fairly. As they should, since coffee has the highest profit margin of almost any legal good.
I'm not a big fan of expensive coffee, however, and I don't buy from Starbucks on anything other than a once-in-a-blue-moon basis.
Starbucks has gained an especially bad rep/rap among people (townies, historical preservationists and the like) because they've moved into so many spaces that were once occupied by small businesses with local color. Thing is, those businesses were failing; despite appearances, it was Starbucks that thankfully bailed their soon-going-bankrupt asses out. So don't point a finger at a robust Starbucks company, blame a lame economy and short-sighted governmental policies that devalue currency, accelerate class separation, and cause small businesses to fold.

Personally, I'd be surprised if anyone other than die-hard fans buy this compilation anyway, so it seems to be an odd play for that reason in my opinion. The best possible outcome here will occur only if Starbucks locations will actually play Sonic Youth music in their stores.

[k-krack]

Atari, why do you insist on showing four fucking pieces of gigantic art as a signature?! Yr abusing the god damn privelege, and it is INTENSELY annoying.
With that said, I'm pissed for a) this happening in the first place and b) they won't have them HERE (hell, not even in fucking Canada).

[SynthethicalY]

hey Atari, have you posted already on the Writing on Canvas Thread?

[k-krack]

Originally Posted by atari 2600

Good, I'm glad. I'm also happy that it costs the site extra money to display the extra images.

Really, sir, as much as they are cool pictures, waste of bandwidth/scrolling/etc. Have some common courtesy, if you please?

[atari 2600]

And here I thought "common courtesy" was greek to k-krack aka chameleon-boy.

[k-krack]

Hey, what was that about? You wanna take this outside, dude? "Chameleon boy"?!?! What's that even mean?

[Everyneurotic]

priceless!!! i love the fan boys vs. indie purists!!!!

[pantophobia]

Originally Posted by Everyneurotic

priceless!!! i love the fan boys vs. indie purists!!!!

lets get it sanctioned and get the Bellagio in Vegas for a 12 round bout, a super super light featherweight card

i'd give the purists 5 to 3 odds, they tend to be calm and collected, and will play rope a dope while the fan boys punch themselves tired

i give the fan boys 10 to 1 odds, they tend to be loose cannons and get too frustrated easy, but one solid punch could end it in the early rounds

ok boxers you know the rules, keep it above the waist, don't throw any pitchfork jabs, and no mentioning mascis

ok....

 

[Everyneurotic]

get ready to RRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMBBBBBBB BBBBBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nicfit]

"Atari bomaye!"
"k-krack bomaye!"