Whenever one of these indie bands releases an album, people are like ‘omg! I can’t believe it’s #1 on iTunes! WTF? They r indie! I used to listen 2 them, but not any more.’ When it comes to music that white people listen to, I think popular mainstream and indie bands are fighting against all of that Soulja Boy type of stuff, so it’s probably time for them to unite into one genre.

MEANINGFUL-CORE MUSIC: Presented by HIPSTER RUNOFF

MEANINGFUL-CORE music can be described as
1. music that makes a general mainstream consumer think that his/her life is more meaningful
2. music that an alt or mainstream person can talk about in a conversation and make them seem ‘with the times’, ‘interesting’, and ‘on a quest for self-awareness.’
3. music that is structured to seem directly meaningful, cryptically meaningful, or if the singer just looks/sounds earnest and meaningful in some form
4. music that is made by a predominantly male band, with a male lead singer (the voice of a male offers more meaning than a female can offer)
5. music that is created by a band who ‘meant it’ on their first album, then experimented, then ‘got mainstream’, then ‘meant it’ in a cool-dad kind of way later in their career. (no matter what, they always sold out large venues)
6. music that music critics respect, and you can put on a mix CD for a person of the opposite sex to make them think that you ‘understand love, life, and everything else that could make a relationship work.’

I think meaningful-core can help explain how the popular mainstream bands and popular indie bands have merged into this one classification. Zach Braff was an innovator by lumping meaningful-core hits into the Garden State soundtrack. At that time, consumers began to think that the music within their iPod should ‘give them a more meaningful soundtrack for their lives’.’ Each song can make an event like looking out a car window seem really amazing.

DCFC: they look like they really ‘mean it.’

Meaningful-core bands can take your existence to the next level. They will help you relate to more people who are searching for meaning in their lives’. Meaningful-core will help you connect with impending sexual partners in a meaningful-kind-of-way. Their albums are important snap shots of the global economy of feelings.

Other bands or artists can have a ‘meaningful core hit’, but it doesn’t always mean that their other stuff will be interpreted as ‘meaningful on a mass scale.’ For example, that Iron and Wine dude covered ‘Such Great Heights’, but I think only girls liked that song and that guy. A band like Death Cab can gimmick mainstream bros and entry-level altbros in with lyrics like, ’so this is the New Year… and I don’t feel any different. :-( ‘

Meaningful-Core bands are able to transcend our society as a whole. They transcend media outlets, and they re-think ‘antiquated methods of album distribution.’ They have a sea of fans who are into being their fans. They have street teams.

Americans first learned that Coldplay was [Highly meaningful] when the music video for ‘Yellow’ showcased a rising sun throughout the duration of the video.

Subgenres of meaningful core:
Cryptically meaningful bands in an artsy-ish way
(These bands may or may not achieve success in sales, but garner a lot of critical acclaim for being really meaningful)
1. Sigur Ros
2. The Microphones
3. Animal Collective/Panda Bear
4. The Avalanches
5. Boards of Canada
6. The Books
(These bands appeal to people who want meaning through conceptual stuff that is less approachable to mainstreamers.)

Earnest Electro meaningful
(After people ‘fell in love with the Postal Service’ they were searching for some replacements of earnest electronic music.)
1. The Notwist
2. The Go Find
3. Air
4. Frou Frou
5. Lali Puna
6. only the song “Digital Love” by Daft Punk
7. Only the song “some one great” by LCD soundsystem

“leave me paralyzed, love” – the Notwist

Mainstream rock bands that add ‘meaning’ to mainstreamers who think they are really unique in a ‘I still wear a ying yang necklace’ kind of way
1. Incubus
2. Linkin Park
3. Creed (R.I.P.)
4. Tool

******
The Shins sing that 1 song about Caring being Creepy, right? Soo true (and so random)

******

So in conclusion, people are looking for meaning in their lives’. They want to know why they are here, and why their perspective is more special than yours or mine. Music offers a wide range of products that can help users believe that they are more unique, more authentic, more alterntive, more mainstream, and more intrinsically meaningful. While we all have different interpretations of ‘what it means to mean something meaningful’, we can all find an artist that helps us to feel like we truly connect with what it is that connects those of us who ‘understand the human condition.’

Meaningful-core songs are in 25% of iPod commercials. (25% is dedicated to upcoming female stars, and 50% is dedicated to ‘dancey fun stuff that alternative people listen to.)

Filling this iPod with meaningful-core music could make your head start secreting the gel-form of meaningfulness.

Plz elaborate on or refine any theories proposed in this bl0g p0st.
<3 yall r smart. Yall should be consultants 4 EMI/Geffen/SubPop/XL <3
<3 When Soul Meets Body <3

Also factor in the whole ‘Feist’ iPod Nano phenomenon, and it’s fair to say that Apple has done a pretty decent job of letting mainstreamers know what should be on their iPod.

[MP3]
CSS Computer Heat

CSS’s Myspace
www.myspace.com/canseidesersexy

She has great taste in music. She is a humanitarian. She went to college. She made a playlist for Entertainment Weekly that showcases her love for freak folk. She is the real-life version of her characters in “V for Vendetta” and “Garden State” combined. She wears wrist bands for causes. She goes to conferences where important people are talking.

From Pitchfork:

Portman also revealed herself as something of a freak folkie to EW.com, saying “I love this whole movement now with Antony and Devendra and CocoRosie and Sufjan Stevens,” though she also claimed, “Stevie Wonder is probably my No. 1 [favorite artist]. And Radiohead, the White Stripes– they’re modern-day classics.” 

She also downplayed her role in launching the Shins into the stratosphere, telling EW.com, “The Shins are the ones who created their own success. No one is gonna think a sound is great just because I say so. They hear the songs, and that’s what decides it for them.”

Don’t you secretly hate the person in your group of friends who acts ‘globally aware’ and says stuff like that?

We think she should focus on being a more realistic role model. Like some one for those kids who aren’t going to go to college, and get an Associate’s Degree in fashion/design/hair styling/ auto repair, etc. She could probably really cross over if she made a film about a girl who is myspace all day, goes out to the movies with her friends to see the new Wes Anderson film, has a Sidekick, and takes a lot of pictures of herself throughout the whole day.

I think it’s time we stop holding it against teens for glorifying the Paris Hilton/Lindsey Lohan type of lifestyle that they’ll never achieve. Instead, we should work to create a less lethal, more accessible version of that lifestyle for the masses.

[MP3]
The Shins Caring is Creepy

The feedback on MC Steinberg has been 110% positive. After a long day at the Dollar Store, MC Steinberg was kind enough to answer a few questions for Hipster Runoff at a public library. It was intimidating to interview the man known as ‘the hipster Barbara Walters,’ but it turned out to be an amazing learning experience.

If you aren’t familiar with MC Steinberg, you should watch this interview with the Shins to get to know what he’s all about.

INTERVIEW WITH MC STEINBERG

Hey MC Steinberg. We love your interviews. What’s it like to be able to interview your favourite bands?
Hello blog. I love your… posts? It’s a good time interviewing bands, although most of the time, I know nothing about them beforehand. Like, when I interviewed The Shins, I had never listened to their music. Someone actually had to tell me who they were. I just thought they were some “cool Dads” or something.

Do you get nervous before an interview? What do you do to prepare? What type of research is necessary to make a such a genuine connection with the members of the bands?
I never get nervous, NEVER. As far as preparation goes: I check the camera, microphone, and look up on Gugle what they look like. It helps when I have to find them. To be honest, I’m more into old school hip-hop, and don’t understand today’s music. Like… those two French guys with the crucifix… what’s the deal with those guys?

How do you handle the fame that comes with being a Youtube and NYNoise sensation?
The fame can get a little tough. I have a lot of people that will find my dolla stow and try to get all fanboy/fangirl on me. I try not to let it get to me, because I can get fanboy/fangirl on other people as well. FUNNY STORY. I once broke into Gene Simmons house. It was his fault, really. He had this reality show that just told the world everything about his home. Then he gets all “get out of my house” and I’m all “make me” and he’s all wrestling me to the ground. So I understand how it is to be on both ends of the “fame stick.”

Do you think the label of being the ‘indie Chris Crocker’ is fair?
Who is that? I don’t know who that is. I’m gonna Gugle him. brb…

That’s unfair.

We read that you work at a Dollar Store. Could you tell us a little bit about how you are able to juggle your multiple commitments, and explain more about your daily functions at the Dollar Store?
Anyway, the job can be a little rough. I’ve had the store robbed (like armed robbery) twice while on duty, so I’m kind of on the third strike with Ramiro, the manager. Also, I occasionally go out to the local deli to grab some Fig Newtons while at work, and something ALWAYS happens then. Usually it’s the skateboarder kids who come in and trash it. Word of advice: If you see some long-haired kids in hoodies that say “SK8 or DESTROY”, avoid them at all costs.

That sounds difficult. Are there any other hardships in your life that the world could empathize with?
Yeah the dolla stow job is just there to pay the bills, until Mom gets out of rehab. She’s been there since ‘03, and I kind of hope she gets better one of these days. Mabye she’s just in it for the, um… sisterhood? Yeah.

On the lighter side, what’s in your CD player these days?
Cassettes. I’ve been rocking the Krush Groove soundtrack. Technically, not the official one. I put a microphone up to the TV last week when it was on, recorded it, and edited all of the songs together. I don’t have a CD player. Or a computer. I’m at the public library right now.

Are the internet rumors true about your pilot for a prank show called ‘STEINBERG’D’ being picked up by Bravo?

I have a bunch of projects out there. The prank show is still in its early stages of development. I sent out MC Steinberg: The Animated Series to Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Kids WB… no reply. The MC Steinberg Movie (imagine Rock n’ Roll High School, with more of an edge) is still being looked over by studios, not to much interest. It’s quality, though, I can guarantee that.

I noticed you mentioned that your favourite movie is Weekend at Bernie’s in your Hot Chip interview. What do you think about the rumors swirling around about a potential remake and who do you think would be the best actors to star in the new version?

Boring! Next question.

What element of the web do you think is hurting the youth of the world? Would it be Youtube, Myspace, blogs, or something even worse?
Wait… what? The web is not hurting anyone, get your facts straight, buster.

In your interview with the Shins, you made a great point when you said that you can always keep learning when you stay exposed to TV and reading stuff and stuff like that. That’s kind of why we blog.
That’s not even a question. You should rethink your interviewing style. It’s unprofessional.

How would you have done this interview differently?

Okay, sit back, student. This is “Interviewing 101.”
People know all of this information about me. I’m a huge star! You should try and get more of a feel for the personal side of me. Tug at my heartstrings. Pull a Barbara Walters.

There are plenty of interview tools on the world wide web. Use them! For example I just got a self-administered interview from a 14-year-old Steinberger sent to me via MySpace bulletin. you really get a feel for who she is at this very moment. I used this interview to help you learn a better style:

1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
In the bathtub.

2. When is the last time you went to the mall?
A month ago.

3. Are you wearing socks right now?
Yes.

4. Last fast food you ate?
Fig Newtons.

5. What time did you wake up today?
I didn’t sleep. : (

6. What are your plans for today?
Ride the D train around New York, spit my rhymes for the passengers. Mabye pick up few bucks.

7. Do you miss anyone?
No.

See how easy it can be?

Wow. I’ll have to use that format in the future. How should I end the interview?

I’ll end it.

Visit myspace.com/mcsteinberg for more Stein-goodness, and check out New York Noise and The Best Show on WFMU for more information about Steinberg’s activities outside of the “dolla stow”.