Media

Grizzly Bear: "Two Weeks" (Volkswagen Commercial) (Video)

8:12 a.m. · February 8, 2010 · by Nick Neyland

We’re often hearing how bands have to turn to commercial enterprises to survive following the proliferation of illegal downloads across the web. It’s not hard to see why a new band would jump at the chance to make a few bucks to get through the lean times if they were offered a television commercial or a similar opportunity.

But Grizzly Bear? With a top 10 album under their belts, and long bouts of lucrative touring during the most successful year of their career to date? It’s unlikely they need the money, so why do this Volkswagen commercial, which aired last night (Feb. 7) during the Super Bowl? Perhaps the lure of Tracy Morgan and Stevie Wonder, who feature here, proved too strong.

Hipster Runoff is, as ever, asking all the important questions, like: “Did Grizzly Bear ’sell out’ or are u happy that their music was taken 2 the extreme masses?” While the debate begins, and it’s already provoking a high number of tweets, the one sure winner here is Volkswagen, who will consider this a job well done.