Update: I'm disabling comments on this entry, only because I've gotten one with pointed offensive language in it. We can all have different opinions on this, but threatening me isn't cool. Thanks for understanding.
God, what a day. Here's what I can tell you.
At 2pm today, during my show, Q101 became the first station in the world to play the new White Stripes album, Icky Thump. It's awesome. It's really, really, unbelievably brilliant and awesome. I was giddy and excited to share it with fellow fans.
At 4pm today, Jack White called Q101's main offices from Spain, where they're touring, looking specifically for me, to yell at me for leaking the album and, in part, being "messed up for the entire (music) business." (Edit - I listened to the call again today, and I apologize for initially misquoting Jack.) I felt like I was going to throw up. Weirdest, most surreal conversation of my life.
So Sherman and Tingle were on the air when Jack called. They took the call with me in the studio, off the air. Jack asked me to take responsibility for leaking the record, and asked if I was sorry for what I'd done. S&T both jumped into the call - I was clearly flustered - and backed me 100%. We tried to explain where we were coming from - someone gave us a copy of a record that we were really excited to play, and the whole experience was an hour-long lovefest for him and his band - but he wasn't having it. He hung up, very, very angry, and I thought I was going to cry.
After speaking to Jack's manager and getting their side of the story, Spike and I went on the air with S&T to open up the situation to the listeners. We respected Jack's desire not to be on the air and didn't re-air the call, but we talked about what was said and what happened. I'm extremely grateful to everyone who called in supporting us. I don't think I did anything wrong, and I don't think I am helping to ruin the music industry. I think I made people excited for the new White Stripes record. I know that was our intention.
I also still think Jack White is an incredibly talented musician, and I still think the new record is amazing. I just don't think I'll be able to listen to it without feeling like crap for a good long while.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
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24 comments:
a friend told me about this and i had to come on this blog to see what actually went down. i hear when you played the album, then shut it off after it was done.
although jw isnt in the right to accuse you for the wrongdoing, i dont think it is right to leak the album without the artists blessing. as a musician myself, i will be devistated if someone unveils my new masterpiece that i slaved over without the proper presentation that i had planned. jw has the right to be mad, but not at you, electra.
I don't think you were wrong to do it. But I can also see how a musician would be angry. What's enjoyable to us is someone else's art...and so I can see how someone who just painted a "picture" would want it to be seen for the first time on their own terms. But the record industry is mostly to blame, because they leak these things on purpose, or at least hire really lax employees who do it for them, and then they blame us for taking the opportunity to listen however we can. So don't feel bad! You're just doing your job. But don't hate Jack. He's just an artist...who knows, maybe he was being pissed on purpose? Any press is good press...
I know Jack about as well as I know you, Electra. And I know, as it's been well documented, that he has the tendency to fly off the handle. And who knows what the info was that he recieved before he made the call, if he initially put the blam directly on you. So I wouldnt take it so personally.
But I do agree with BC's post above, and to agree with Trent Reznor being upset after the Year Zero leak, that if I worked on something so hard, and my art was shown to the world before I intended, I'd be pissed too. It's like taking a peak behind the curtain before a grand unveiling. Or someone spoiling the finale of your favorite TV show. But maybe that's just me.
i don't think you're ruining anything. you know as well as many of us that there's not a lot of new music to get excited about, and if you're like me, you find yourself listening to a lot of old favorite records because they're tenfold better than lots of new, slick, mediocre overproduced crap. but when a new record comes out by a tried and true artist, and it blows away expectations, who wouldn't want to share that?
the "industry" is ruining itself, it doesn't need our help (or does it). you did us all a favor!
Wow. What kinda dumbass is he to call you from SPAIN to yell at you for something that was going to happen anyway? I mean, it was going to be released sometime anyway, right? He should be damn grateful he has a fan like you, who is enthusiastic about the upcoming album. What a douchebag! I'm so glad I think they suck.
-Su
I heard the discussion that you, Sherman and Tingle had on-air after the incident. I have taken it upon myself to boycot all things White Stripes until Jack offers you a sincere apology. What does he not understand? You and Q101 were not trying to "ruin the music industry" you were PROMOTING the new album of two very talented musicians. I had every intention to buy the new CD the day it is released... but not now... and it is not your fault; its Jack's fault. I honestly don't think I'll be attending any White Stripes concerts in the near future.
YOU did the right thing, Electra! Jack is being a Prima Donna. He needs to get off his high horse and give you a sincere apology. Wouldn't it be nice if Meg slapped some since into him? *LOL*
I love you, Electra!!
James (from Downers Grove) :p
"And if the whole world’s singing your songs
And all of your paintings have been hung
Just remember what was yours is everyone’s from now on
And that’s not wrong or right
But you can struggle with it all you like
You'll only get uptight"
- Wilco
You gotta look at this as a good thing.
Jack White, a super famous musician, went out of his way to call you, from Spain, to yell at you about playing his music early.
You don't get stories like that every day. How many people do you know that have been yelled at by a celebrity?
I say congratulations on being awesome.
Electra,
You are a wonderful DJ and music fan in general. This, as you know, isn't the first album you guys have "dropped" before anyone else. Q101 just has it like that.
Did Trent call and bitch you out? No, and in fact, as you know (again), he freaked out on his label for charging too much for Year Zero. HE is concerned about the music and the fans. Jack White is concerned about his image and how many copies of Icky Thump he can push.
In my mind, it seems you're the pimp and he's the prostitute. He's just one that bitches when you set him up with a "trick" called Chi-town. Keep rockin' out with your... well, whatever.
Always supporting you...
Sorin
thanks for airing the new cd before it comes out. i totally recorded it and burned it to cd. now i don't have to buy the album!!
i gotta go now and upload it to limewire.
thanks again!
I can't believe people actually think these highly choreographed "leaks" are for real.......chumps
You played the album without the permission of the artist or the label. what did you think was going to happen?
I hope you get fired.
electra : you did nothing wrong, you're a good dj, and i think you're nice.
jack black: music (like all knowledge) wants to be free. by playing your album, electra and her employer are helping more people hear your music.
you played JACK BLACKS NEW ALBUM TOO?
awesome!
i love "the d"
He's a massive wanker. Massive.
He should get down on his scrawny, pimpled knees and thank whatever deity he believes in that ANY radio station is playing his overrated, self aware, post-post-modern garbage.
Having the unmitigated gall to call and berate you for promoting his music? --> Megawanker.
You keep bringing the rawk, Electra. I would personally be thrilled if you never played any of his tracks again.
If the Smashing Pumpkins can keep their new music under control with limited release, then Jack and Meg should have been able to as well. This is a publicity stunt.
This is the fault of The White Stripes and their record company.
If this is a misguided attempt at publicity, I'd refuse to play the phone conversation on the air and tell Jack and Meg where to stick it!
Electra, as always, is awesome-licous-tastic-ful
(and my favorite Pimpstitute - in a good way)
THE shuffleupagus :-p
- all you other shuffleupagi are just imitating
A counter to Joey O:
"Everything is free now
That's what they say.
Everything I ever loved
I'm going to give it away.
Someone hit the big score.
They figured it out
That we're gonna do it anyway
Even if doesn't pay."
- Gillian Welch
Completely wrong and you knew it, thought you knew better and did it anyway. justify it any way you want, you broke the rules and the artist has every right to call you on it.
Jack's already made his money off it, so it's Warner that'll be comoing after your ass now. Poor you.
Well, I kinda liked the album when you played it. Originally I wouldnt have bought it, but from 2-3pm yesterday I changed my mind. And then from 3-4pm I changed my mind again. If I want it now at all, I'LL DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE. I think Jack is an a**hole for yelling at YOU. He will never get a cent of my hard-earned money again :)
i dont know the details of what jack said, but i stand behind him. it was totally wrong to play the album in full, and i think the station should be held accountable. the release date for the album is june 19 because thats when the artist wants it released and heard. if they wanted everyone to hear it earlier, they'd have made the release date earlier. but i highly doubt the white stripes put immense time, sweat, and creative energy into creating a piece of art, only to have it pre-maturely released so thousands of kids can sit around listening to a low quality radio recording on their computer...thats not how it should be listened to. the radio station and everyone involved should feel ashamed. you may say you greatly appreciate jack's music, but you clearly have little respect for the man himself.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/523481714_f96cc9454b_o.jpg
This was not leaked on purpose. Promotional copies are sent to journalists ahead of time so they can make their deadlines. The copies are watermarked so they can be traced.
You and your employers knew this was not meant to be premiered on your station, and if you are as big a fan of the band as you say you are, you knew they have taken a strong stand against leaks.
You can blame your boss all you want, I'm sure that was the plan, but at the end of the day you should take responsibility for your actions, or at the very least quit with this shameless ploy for sympathy and publicity. You're on the wrong side of the fence on this one, and most of your supporters probably had no intention of buying the cd anyway.
You don't mention anything about legality in your blog, is your station immune?
I thought Jack said "it’s really
Bad for the music industry what you doing, jumping
The gun like that”
A lot different than "you're ruining the music industry"
go kingchaos, stick it to the man!
Big Bad Bugs Bunny is coming!
This one of the reasons I've been completely unable to like the WhiteStripes. I don't like their music much, I especially hate what an egotistical jerk Jack White is. He just made it even more unlikely I'll ever jump on the WhiteStripes bandwagon by crushing the feelings of one of the sweetest DJs ever.
Electra, you are one of the best DJs I've ever heard anywhere. You have been a joy since your first day on Q101. A doofus like Jack White should be so lucky to have such a beloved and respected radio personality gush over his new album.
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