Uncensored Interview: The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players Saw The Sign

[ilovechairmanmeow]

I don't know, it just seems a bit forced. I'll take a cd copy of aeroplane over the sea before I pay a dime for some pretentious vinyl with ironic art on the sleeve to trick people into thinking the latter is more artistic and therefor better. Ps do you think they're putting a bird on it?

[bearmassaro]

GIMME AN F!

GIMME AN R!

GIMME AN E!

GIMME AN A!  GIMME A K!

WHAT'S THAT SPELL? WHAT'S THAT SPELL? WHAT'S THAT SPELL?

[Revstoningpot]

How was that uncensored? it didn't have any boobs or swears. But seriosly who would want a CD of a group that performs slide shows?

[MrTothenorth1]

@Revstoningpot I love this band, if you actually would listen to them and no make fun of them you would realize the are amazing!

[Revstoningpot]

@MrTothenorth1 oops I replyed to myself. But seriously he didn't swear or anything.

[Revstoningpot]

@Revstoningpot You're nuts I love this band I was making fun of the title and the fact that they are a visual band. They need to release dvds not cds

[Episcleritis]

It's nice to see insight from an artist's perspective. Thanks, UI and thanks TTFSPs..

[mikeollek]

yeah back then we had album art but now we have music videos. i'll take a music video on youtube over album art that i have to store in a closet somewhere any day

[mikeollek]

@mikeollek i also can't believe you home school your kid.

[ilovechairmanmeow]

of course they're knitting. weird how this whole family is a big indie cliche. i bet they ride fixed gears to thrift stores to look for vinyl and wes anderson films.

[ilovechairmanmeow]

i love when kids like him say "music isn't art anymore because it's not on vinyl". or "i don't boil water in the microwave, it's not natural." you know someone said the same shit when the first gramophone records were being pressed, and when everyone stopped using wood to cook food. art is art regardless of the medium. someone should tell him his slides aren't art because they're not paintings.

[skulldaggery]

@ilovechairmanmeow I think the argument is more about the effort put into making those older albums versus the mentality behind making cheaper, reproductions. Not that Vinyl is in and of its self any more artistic than Plastic CDs... Microwaves can also be used to make gourmet meals, they are only tools, but let's face it, it's not why they exists, and not how people use them. Sometimes the medium does affect the art, like Marshal McLuhan said "the medium IS the message."

[chriskluge]

I greatly admire what these people do.... but LISTENING to this guy TALK about (some aspect) of what they do..... uh... umm.... someday, some person (or persons) will collect OLD DATA of people TALKING about what they do.. and it will be as ridiculous as viewing random family slideshows....

[joshsslade]

I cant believe these guys have haters. I guess when youre so pent up you have to hate something.

Anyway, on the topic of music being art, hes got a good point about the music labels wanting to increase profits, its not just the format but the artists who are signed, real talent is too complicated to control, you dont need good musicians if you own ad networks.

[DaveyTrees000]

Getting signed doesnt mean you are "signing your record away". There is give and take in life. Generally, if the record label is going to invest $ in a band, they want to be involved with the investment to ensure a return on their investment. The band doesnt have to take the deal... uh uh i ii i i think i think though its good to have someone believe in your abilities. I can tbelieve you homeschool your daughter.

[DaveyTrees000]

what the F.

Rationalize.... Rationalize....

Anything to take your mind away from the truth. People like Pink Floyd got lucky u fool. They were not geniuses, they were drug addicted musicians in the right place at the right time.

[WEENIE666]

are u insane? no one will ever make music like pink floyd, no one has the patience to create such master works! your SO IGNORANT.

Dark side of the moon was on the billboard charts longer than any album EVER!

[spencersghost]

There's lots of different people making great music, Pink Floyd was certainly not the first band to make brilliant music, and they wont be the last. All different types of music can be great. Being on the billboard charts for that long only means they have mass appeal. I agree they are great, but come on man, there's a whole world of other shit out there to listen to.

[mikefrontier]

you might wanna write down what youre going to say buddy

[leemailme]

Compact discs aren't art because they're bits of plastic, metal, and difital information? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Any reasonable person knows that it's the CONTENT which makes it art. How that content is presented is totally irrelevant.

Big bands now release entire albums for FREE on the internet! And some of my favourite albums are among them, so you can't say that even purely digital info isn't art.

[Mel0dymaker]

He may not of used all the evidence in his argument though. Look at the crazy amount of D/L websites. Itunes and napster... I kinda agree with him. The man made a classic album with vintage slideshows from Seattle and with no discredit intended to the band I feel that the album has a cheap feel about it which gives much more soul. Doesn't sound like a $Millions of an advance... They're probably in the minority of people who have worked hard and recieving the fruits of their labour. I hope.

[mig1964ca]

Clearly he didn't say that the content itself isn't art - but the album cover itself is no longer art, and he's absolutely correct. Specifically you don't have any flexibility anymore. Extreme examples are the original "Thick as a Brick" by Jethro Tull, "Sticky Fingers" by the Stones, etc. You just can't do that in a CD format.

[stephhe]

what is she embroidering on that oven glove??We should be told

[TheRealSamDole]

I have to politely disagree with the idea that a mere shift in media format is responsible for the decline of creativity exemplified in those compilations of musical recordings we call "albums." I agree with the point Mr. Trachtenberg is trying to make, I just feel that it is lost amongst nostalgic musings about vinyl that seem to be quite en-vogue nowadays.

[cartoonlike]

He a skinny ass dude, but his body shirt circa 1970 make him look like he need a "manzier" for his man-juggies.

[synholiday]

It's just societal evolution. As far as vinyl to CD, it's still the same art, just shrunk down. The compromise in size is made up for in band websites and all the stuff they can offer on the Internet. I'm actually surprised CDs haven't given way to little RAM chips. But then again, who needs any separate medium to deliver music when we have the Internet's MP3s on demand. I still like to listen to vinyl though, mostly when I feel like listening to 78s (I have a wind-up gramophone).

[redheadedgolem]

Uncensored? I was hoping the Dad was going to let a few F-bombs fly.

[wikipediawriter]

Perhaps he didn't want to curse in front of Rachel. I dunno.

[nicohitler]

THAT'S THE PROBLEM . . . He doesnt limit her access to some very marginal people with Borderline Personality Disorders . . .

Can you say ChristopherXBrodeur & Peter bernard?

[Bullzeye95]

The cutting edge of innovation. Innovation doesn't mean "I play different chords on my guitar with my 4-piece band", it means the sort of thing the Trachtenburgs do. Call it art rock if you want. I call it more creative than anything you'll find on the radio.

[adg045]

one of the smartest people i've ever had the privilege of meeting.

[impwah]

I thought these guys were cool. Then this guy started talking.

[FufuBerrySkater]

I met the dad (lead singer) after a kate nash concert. they were the opening act. MAN WAS HE AWESOME!!!!

[mykarmaisrockin]

I love this video. they just sew sew sew in the background!

[jedimasterbooboo]

I don't understand any of these comments, but this video is funny (which I thought it was supposed to be, yeah?)

[capslock3435]

how is having my attention make him succesful?

[capslock3435]

no but he is a failure in every way there is to be one

[rhopen]

He has your attention doesn't he, so he hasn't failed now has he.

[capslock3435]

jason is a dumbass if he dont knoww what signing is. and he shouldnt use big words

[sleestack]

get a life. Did he steal your girlfriend in the distant past?

[capslock3435]

no he stole my boyfriend, im a girl

[secondratesinger]

Have you ever been signed to a label and actually read and *understood* what your contract said.

If you think he's wrong than why don't you crack open a dictionary and find out how much of that music is yours after you sign the contract.

[secondratesinger]

Have you ever been signed to a label and actually read and *understood* what your contract said.

If you think he's wrong than why don't you crack open a dictionary and find out how much of that music is yours after you sign the contract.

[kraigus]

Seems you can't even grasp small words.

Ignoramus.

[jamesharvey]

You guys are so great.