Apparently, some lofi Pitchfork blog called 'Altered Zones' was cut from their blog roster because it was 'unprofitable', and they probably didn't believe that the voice and content were valuable enough to 'sustain the mission'. It was a sad day for drone and post-lofi music fans everywhere.
It seems like these bloggers have 'gone rogue' and now want ur money to launch some new blog that also prints on pieces of paper, or something. They made some video, complete with 'passion', 'selling points', and even cameos from some of your favorite fringe alt celebs and over-esteemed Brooklyn socialites. Most importantly, the video gives an all-access look into the lives of bloggers from all around the world, which basically means 'a webcam with a humming noise in a sad looking apartment.' As a fan of lofi diy vintage snuff-films, some of the scenes do give me a throbbing erection.
Anyways, it seems like they have a totally different editorial mission from any other blog that includes 'posting kewl shit' and 'writing words' or something. In addition, they will search in dumpsters for unbuzzed bands that you should be buzzing. As some one who owns a content farm, I would HIGHLY encourage them to stay out of this ruthless business. There is no such thing as tastemaking, world-vision-changing, or 'making the world a better place with ur website.' The biz only makes u bitter, angry, and disenfranchised with the fake world that you spend hours every day attempting to interpret while you stare into your Macbook screen. Although you might believe 'creating an authentic content farm' gives you an identity, it actually kills you on the inside. Slowly, day by day. There is nothing left, no matter how kewl the graphics on ur site are, and no matter how many Twitter followers u have.
I remember when I was a young, new blog, sites like Kickstarter didn't exist, so I wasn't allowed to beg 4 money in an artistic/'tasteful' way with an online portal that promised rewards 2 donors. Maybe I would be a better blog now if I was 'never poor', or maybe it wouldn't have made me 'hungry 4 mad hits'. Perhaps the current iteration of our economy is too ruthless, and we should shift our entire economy to be 'kickstarter'-based [via donations].
Will they make $33k?
Does this make u want 2 'kickstart' some funding 4 ur own art projjie?
Do u think that this video 'won u over' or is it more indicative of the spirit of the Entitle Alt Generation who believes that they should be paid for their artistic and/or editorial ventures that may or may not provide tangible societal value?
Do these ppl 'have their head up their own asses'?
Should they just try to 'get jobs at established content farms', but claim that they are 'still authentic' because they are giving bands that they <3 'mainstream exposure'?
Is 'cultural advocacy' for 'a holes'?
Do DIY bands deserve to 'get exposure' or should they just stay poor?
R u inspired? Or angry at the world?
What was ur fave part of the video?
Who was ur fave cameo?
R u gonna donate between $1 and $10,000 to Ad Hoc?
Should we all just give up on our alt lifestyle that we have told ourselves that we deserve 2 get paid for and get jobs at Enterprise Rent-A-Car?
Should Kickstartering be renamed 'e-panhandling'?
What is the worst e-panhandling project of all time?
Altered Zones is a lofi mp3 discovery blog created by Pitchfork Media. It is rlly, rlly alt/underground/lofi.
Pitchfork is a popular indie blogzine that does reviews and gets mad hits.
Thought Catalog is one of the last successful content farms on the internet, crafting a voice that appeals to alternatweens and lost 20somethings by presenting a mix of snackable content in familiar web formats like listicles and sexual oversharing. With a dedicated readership, their editorial mission has a self-proclaimed 'positive tone' that often avoids traditional blog slutshaming. However, one writer is scratching his head because his parody post about Lana Del Rey's SNL performance was removed from the site.
Dave Schilling was informed by a Thought Catalog Editor that his post that put himself in the voice of Lana Del Rey was removed from the site after a secret correspondence between Lana Del Rey's publicist and an unconfirmed Thought Catalog editor. After a disclaimer above the post that indicated that the post 'wasn't actually written be Lana' did not work, Thought Catalog caved & removed the post.
This post used to reside at this link, and has been republished in its entirety here.
Publicists are known to correspond with members of the press in order to sculpt a strategic image of their client. No one can confirm or deny the strength of any relationship between PR reps or media outlets, but many industry insiders are scratching their heads at this recent development. While there is no confirmation that Lana Del Rey's label or management has ever colluded with outlets to manage buzz, this Thought Catalog has insiders scratching their heads. Others say that Thought Catalog's editorial stance simply 'folded' to suits and PR agents. This is most likely only a fraction of the scrambling that her PR team is doing to rebuild her tarnished image, but is this the way to do it?
Is all press = good press?
According to LDR's publicity company, Shorefire, there are three account executives managing her.
For more information about Lana Del Rey, please contact Marilyn Laverty (mlaverty@shorefire.com), Andy Silva (asilva@shorefire.com) or Matt Hanks (mhanks@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media: (718) 522-7171
Is the Case of the Missing LDR Post something that is common in the blogging/writing/magazine industry? Do artists make websites take down posts every day? Have editorial standards been compromised?
The missing post's author David Schilling's reaction to the conspiracy/controversy:
Of all the bad press that she's gotten in the wake of her 'performance' on Saturday Night Live, I think it's amusing that she (or her publicist, or both) chose to attack my article. It was a clear piece of satire. Is the real Lana Del Rey like the 'Lana Del Rey' I wrote about in my article? I don't know. Probably not. I've never met her before, but I do know the public persona she projects, which I thought was fair game for parody in the United States. Apparently, that is not the case. Her publicist has not contacted HRO, Perez Hilton or any other pop culture blogger to my knowledge, yet I was singled out.
More to the point, am I to blame for people with bad reading comprehension skills being unable to separate fact from fiction? Especially when there is a clear byline attached to the piece? "BY DAVE SCHILLING" is as clear as possible, plus Thought Catalog added a disclaimer stating unequivocally that it was NOT written by LDR. I don't think I am to blame for that. I am still unclear how anyone in their right mind could mistake my article for 'truth.' I hope LDR bounces back from all the harm I've done to her career and sells a billion MP3s on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Napster, MP3.com, WalMart.com and other fine retailers. She deserves it.
Have blog ethics been violated?
Was the post actually 'confusing' 2 readers or was it an obvious joke?
Who has gone 2 far?
Are blogs dying?
Is this a sad day 4 alt media?
Will LDR's PR team take down all the blogs that talk bad abt her?
Are they trying to manipulate the media?
Did Thought Catalog get 'bullied' and/or 'intimidated'?
Or did they 'cave'?
Is 'parody' mean and/or against the law?
When will we have 'the facts'?
Was this post 'even any good' / 'even relevant'?
Has a big deal been made out of 'nothing'?
Did Thought Catalog 'make the right decision'?
Is there a massive LDR conspiracy going on?
Will we ever know how the buzz is actually made?
Did #LDRSNL ruin the blogosphere, forcing every1 to compromise blog ethics?
Lana Del Rey is a hot female indie singer. She is 'mad controversial.'
Just watched some videos of some 'panels' of some ppl talking about topics that are 'relevant 2 the indie music industry.' I remember this kind of stuff used 2 be interesting back in 2k4-2k6, back when blogs were 'emerging' and 'kewl, new places 2 find mp3s', but now even blogs + the state of music journalism kinda 'is what it is' and no1 really cares and the large blogs are 'just a part of the machine', 'don't do anything for truly independent artists' and 'musicians can't make money.'
There are 2 panels of interest. One is about 'Are bloggers more important than record labels?' and the other 1 is "Has music journalism gone down the shitter?"
Here is some panel called "Debate: Bloggers vs. A&R's: The Smackdown" where some bloggers and some A&R ppl talk abt who is more important. Bloggers are probably all like 'we find artists and promote them and record labels aren't even necessary. My blog gets tons of hits and has an organic fan base that is more powerful than any record label.' Then the A&R ppl are probably like 'bloggers are lamestreamers who don't add anything to the_conversation. Bloggers need 2 get their heads up out of their asses. We actually make money (theoretically).'
In this corner: Bloggers. In the other corner: A&R's. Who finds bands first? Who influences who? Who listens to more music? Are bloggers doing the work of A&R people?
Moderator: David Prince (Billboard/The Daily Swarm)
Bloggers:
Matthew Perpetua (Fluxblog), Bjorn Jeffery (Discobelle), Ryan Catbird (Catbirdseat)A&R:
Nick Catchdubs (Fool's Gold), Dean Bein (True Panther/Matador A&R), Gordon Conrad (Relapse)
I have no idea who these blggrs are, what they blog abt, whose careers they helped, or what they contribute 2 the scene, but I guess it is 'interesting' 2 hear ppl talk abt a pseudo-industry that they are very proud of. Whose side are u on? Are bloggers more important than A&R ppl? What does A&R even 'mean'?
Does n e 1 know if bloggers are important 2 the music industry?
Do they talk abt progressive ideas that can help every band 2 monetize in our zany internet music scene?
Who are the true 'thought leaders' in the music industry?
Does n e 1 even care abt u and ur lil blogspot?
Should they have invited Carles?
Here is some series about 'the state of music journalism.' I think they basically say "THE INTERNET HAS ITZ POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES. MORE PPL HAVE A VOICE NOW, SO IF U SEARCH FOR IT, THERE IS QUALITY WRITING. HOWEVER... THE_BLOG_MACHINE IS S00 BORING AND REPETITIVE."
The rise of blogs provided a vehicle for a new generation of music writers and made music critics at mainstream publications need to prove their relevance. As print publications have had to defend why they are not obsolete, they’ve also seen their ad revenue, budgets and page counts shrink. But what most online music writers can’t, or don’t, do is go out and report stories. They aren’t observing or getting the facts about the cultures and places that create the music. Long-form journalism and big pictures currently don’t translate digitally, but are there just other, better, ways of doing music reportage online?
Moderator: Eric Ducker (Malbon Farms)
Panelists: Maura Johnston (Idolator), Michael Reich (Videothing), Rob Harvilla (Village Voice)
There are like 100 parts 2 this but they just kinda keep saying like "things are sooo different. A lot of blogs suck. eff the
Each of these videos have like 100 more parts [link], but I think they are probably pretty boring bc I didn't even watch these 4 that I embedded. Just sorta assumed no1 had anything innovative 2 say bc they are active participants in 'the_problem.'
Who would be ur 'dream panel' of music bloggers/relevant online music journalism personalities?
Is the music industry 'effed'?
Does n e 1 even care abt music journalism any more, or do ppl just want to DL free MP3s and 'decide 4 themselves'?
Do u think it was really nice of Scion 2 sponsor this 'intellectual summit' or should they have just wasted money throwing a huge partie with free alcohol + free car giveaways?
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH INDIE ARTISTS, THE MODERN MUSIC INDUSTRY, THE INTERNET, MONETIZING UR BUZZBAND + BLOGSITE, TWITTER, SOCIAL MEDIA, ITUNES, MAGAZINES, AUTHENTIC JOURNALISM AND ____________?
Panda Bear's upcoming album TOMBOY is one of the most 'in demand' leaks in the history of the blogosphere. The PR team responsible for dispersing memes and guiding their album cycle to achieve mad sales, mad buzz, and critical acclaim is Forcefield PR. (The company manages memes for other buzzbands such as WAVVES, Ariel Pink, and Neon Injuns.)
Daniel Gill, the head of Forcefield PR 'went on a massive/moderate twitter tirade', utilizing the Retweet function to share the previous ALT REPORT story about how Pitchfork 'broke blog ethics' to post the new Panda Bear unauthorized MP3s [link]. It seems like this 'retweet' solidifies the Alt Report's 'MUST READ' status for true indiesphere insider 'scoop', 'daily dish', 'gossip', and 'analysis.'
The tweet seems a mix of 'bummed' and 'pissed' at the state of the blogosphere.
Later, the PR Company twitter account 'cooled off', making it clear that Pitchfork was not the only blog who was unchill, but basically just about every alt blog on the internet.
Seems like he put "legit" in quotes to let all music websites know that they are 'fucking bush league' and should be mad ashamed of themselves.
The buzz behind this album is 'getting out of hand', bloggers 'breaking laws', PR companies 'pissed at blogs', Pitchforks acting like blogs. The circle of buzz seems to be under siege.
Do blogs 'have the right' to post unauthorized material by buzz artists?
Is Panda Bear 'too blazed'/'too busy being a father' to handle
Should the PR company 'be pissed' at blogs, or should they 'forgive blogs' since 'blogs and Pitchforks are the best way to reach tons of consumers?
If blogs truly love Panda Bear, should they 'wait' until he gives them 'the green light' 2 blog him, or due to SEO, should we 'scoop' him like Lindsay Lohan going back 2 the slammer?
Feel like this album is changing everything. Everything so crazy. Mother Indie 'has been disturbed' and everything is turning into a shit storm. Thought this album cycle was gonna be chill, but it already seems 'frenetic', like a group of sharks feasting on a human that is trying to clean up the oil spill.
When will Panda Bear sound off on all of this commotion? We could really use a soundbit from him or something, letting us know what to do. Feel like if he 'called off the dogs', we would all chill out, and chill until his albums come out. Noah Lennox can help us to 'give peace a chance.'
Are yall on #TeamBlog, #TeamPitchfork, #TeamPRteam, or #Team Panda?
R u worried about the blogosphere?
Will Panda Bear leak?
R u worried about the next AnCo album?
Is life all about firsties?
Panda Bear is a member of Animal Collective. He wrote the hit album "Person Pitch" but failed to deliver in 2k10 with TOMBOY.
Read more>>>>
Pitchfork is a popular indie blogzine that does reviews and gets mad hits.
Perez Hilton is an indie mp3 blogger who recently posted pictures of tween indie sensation Miley Cyrus's vagina, exposed via upskirt technology. It seems like 'the whole world' is pissed at him for being a perv, and showing us vagina that no1 [via every1] wanted 2 see. Apparently it is 'against the law' to own or blog about nudes of people under the age of 18, so there is a possibility that Perez Hilton will be 'put behind bars.'
Hilton posted a photo of Miley Cyrus on his Twitter page that appeared to show the 17 year old stepping out of a car without underwear - though, it turns out, she may have had underwear on, after all.
Some say the posting could be child pornography.
h8 the internet
gets every1 in trouble
every1 just looking to tug off
but people killing chill vibes of tween horniness
wish we were free to look at upskirts
whenever we wanted
"There are laws against putting that kind of stuff on the Internet, and he could be prosecuted," observes defense attorney Steve Cron.
Psychologist David Swanson calls the post "deeply disturbing. … It's child pornography, and it's normalizing the idea of sexualizing young adolescent girls."
Hilton's response to his critics? "Sure, I like to be controversial, but I don't want to go to jail. People -- snap out of it!"
In recent months, the underage pop star has been projecting a more adult image, promoting her new album, "Can't Be Tamed."
This seems 'controversial.' Sorta wish newspapers still existed so that blogs and bloggers wouldn't 'fuck everything up.' Seems like bloggers only care about getting hits, and they will post any pair of tits, ass cheeks, or vagina lips just to get as many hits as possible.
Wonder if posting kiddie porn 'hurts ur blog', like advertisers no longer want to chill with you since their brand is being showcased right next to some illegal nudes. I guess progressive brands would stay on board, but some brands don't want to have banner ads right next to teen vajengs.
Is Miley Cyrus's vagina a national treasure?
Should Perez Hilton go 2 jail?
Are bloggers 'effing ass holes'?
Will Perez Hilton be the 'Paris Hilton' of prison?
Will other mp3 bloggers go 2 jail for leaking albums / mp3s?
If ur gonna post a picture of a vagina on the internet, do u need 2 make sure they are 18+?
Should Miley Cyrus be sent 2 jail for sexting?
