Personally, I am kind of flabbergasted that Cults are playing before noon on the Friday of ACL Festival. I think they put out one of the best LP's of the year, they were fantastic at SXSW this year and they are even signed to a major-label. To me, all of these things should add up to getting, at least a 5pm time-slot. However, I am not in charge and for all I know the band had scheduling conflicts? There are many, many factors, which could have landed Cults such an early, un-desirable set time. I can tell you one thing, I took Friday off to make sure I don't miss their set. In case you couldn't tell, I am a HUGE supporter and I really think you'll like them too. I'm not going to lie, I was late to the party on Cults the cool kids have been fans since SXSW 2010, or earlier. Gorilla Vs. Bear released their first 7" in March of 2010. I feel like I judged a book by its cover, I think the name Cults really works against them, the band looks like the Addams Family and they have a dark name and you think their music is going to be dower, sad, depressing etc. Well, it's not. It's sunny, summery, fun, nostalgic, it's a little Phil Spector, a little Lesley Gore but contemporary all at once. They play the Honda stage at 11:45am on Friday and you should really be there with me. They are also playing an aftershow at the Parish but it's already sold-out. Sorry kids, you're gonna have to roll out of bed and hit the bus early to catch Cults' official ACL set..
Cults - Abducted video via YouTube
I worry about Cults, as I mentioned they are signed to a major-label and I feel like it's unwise for them to have spent so much money on that Abducted video. Sure, it looks great but they have to pay the label back for that and so far the album hasn't sold as well as it should. I know the label is really trying to push them to adult-alternative radio stations like KGSR but let's face it, radio is a bunch of bullshit these days and they aren't taking "risks" on bands like Cults. KGSR would rather play Paul Simon's Graceland 100,000 times than try to break a new artist to their audience, whom they obviously perceive to be completely stupid. Cults are a great, radio-ready band but they probably won't get on most radio stations. People like you, already know about them and let's face it, a lot of people who read blogs don't spend money on records. I guess what I'm getting at, is I hope Cults don't end up working at Starbucks to pay back Sony for fancy videos. They should really be conservative with their advance money. Also, if you haven't bought their LP, you really should. I got it for free and I love it so much I went out and bought it on vinyl.
Cults - Go Outside video via YouTube
For the record, Go Outside is the single that Sony is encouraging pussy-ass, non-risk-taking, AAA radio stations to play. This is the phone number to make requests at KGSR -> (512) 390-5477, maybe if enough of us request NEW music they will play less Tom Petty? Perhaps? For that matter, here is the request line for 101x -> 512.836.KROX. Cults SHOULD be on both of these radio stations. Everytime a radio station plays Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit another great, contemporary, artist is NOT played. Think about that. If radio stations were run in 1992, like they are now we might not know who Nirvana is. GET WITH THE TIMES RADIO!! YOU ARE DYING AND EVERYONE FUCKING HATES YOU!!! REMOVE HEADS FROM ASSES AND PLAY MUSIC FROM THIS MILLENIUM!!!
Somehow this post previewing Cults turned into a hateful diatribe against contemporary, corporate radio. Not really sure how that happened but I'm kind of glad it did. See you at ACL Fest!!
