Not sure how it’s a question of ethics... but I remember how heartbroken I was when I saw urban outfitters selling Banksy books. An artistic hero of mine had officially lost his subversive importance. But as I age and get more jaded I’ve come to a comfortable acceptance about art in our culture. As soon as your “art” gets put on the market it ceases to be art. It’s now product, for consumption.  That outlook has freed me from my younger naive and idealistic thinking.  There is a market  for everything, especially political subversion. I try to just enjoy the messages and appreciate the vehicles that bring them. But I know that in the end, the vehicle is just another brand for you to buy, no matter what the content is.

For the record:

http://blog.urbanoutfitters.com/blog/tvotr_listening_party_and_contest/

I'd be more surprised if TVorR wasn't playing at Urban Outfitters. I can't really think of a band off the top of my head that would be strange to hear at that store. They probably even play Fugazi at some of their stores. I bet Chipotle will be playing the new TVotR too.

Sorry bout that dudes... when I cant sleep at night I get all moody and introspective.

The way I look at it is that at least you can hear some decent music when you're walking by. In my neck of the woods (small town Midwest) you spend a lot of time in stores listenening to a lot of shit like Colbie Callait (you'd think her album is the biggest ever given how much I hear that on a day-to-day basis), and whatever country act is hot at the time. If I can listen to TVotR once a day by walking by the Urban Outfitters, I look at that as a moderately good thing.

Ethan- I think you're applying D.I.Y. ethics to a band that never really had any: TVotR are signed to Interscope, one of the biggest record labels. It's not like they're on Dischord and you can only get Dear Science at 11 record stores in the States. They're one of my favorite bands, but let's not pretend they're staunchly indie. (Granted, they do have a deal with Interscope that the label can never say anything about the music they're putting out. Interscope has to release whatever the band feels like, or release the band from their contract.)

Plus, I think Urban Outfitters is wanting to draw in "indie" crowds, so playing TVotR is an easy way to make them feel comfortable in the store. If they're playing Katy Perry in there, it might as well be Abercrombie. 

I think it's fair to say that Urban Outfitters is the "Hot Topic" of the indie scene. I agree with Daba that it would be weird if TVotR wasn't playing there.  UO obviously has a blanket contract with performances rights societies like ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. TVotR probably has no say on whether or not their music gets played in their store, but they are absolutely getting paid for it and probably acquiring more fans in the process.

I don't care if a band is mainstream or not, and I don't think that has any bearing on what is considered art. If UO existed in 18th century Europe, Vivaldi would be playing in there. As long as TVotR is not changing their music to make sure they're played in commercial settings, then I have no problem with it. This is a case of culture (and commercialism) gravitating towards the arts, not the other way around.

When did you hear Red House Painters on a TV commercial? (other than the GAP one)

other than the patronizing tone, i agree with you.  TVotR  hasn't been "DIY" since they released the "Young Liars" EP(still their best release) and opened for Young People at the Knitting Factory.  Their concerts are now selling out as fast as anyone.  I think they could do MSG...not saying they should...hell no. 

I don't think anyone was weirded out by TV on the Radio playing in a record store- much more arcane stuff has played in the mainstream market, nothing is surprsing anymore -I think he was commenting about the lyrical message of the album being projected.  It could be any band. In any case, UO probably is fine with it and knows the shoppers aren't going to be paying too much attention anyways.

Damn Ken Honey, I had a flashback to McCain on Friday night from the tone of your post.

"What the poster doesn't seem to understand is..."

Alan's going to be pissed when he sees that you linked them with being hipster...

Low is relatively popular in Europe.  They're very appreciated in Great Britain.  They opened up for Radiohead in 2003 on their European leg. And more recently of course for Wilco. They've released a live album that was recorded in Paris. 2 documentaries have been made, one under the band's name while they were in Europe. The other recent one was done by a European. So damnit kenhoney don't be so surprised!