Chris Funk is asked (mid-way through the interview) what he thinks about Starbucks selling the Decemberists' CD "The Crane Wife." "I'm fine with our CDs selling at Starbucks. We can’t monitor everywhere where our stuff is sold. I don’t know enough about Starbucks to say that they’re so super-bad that I don’t want them selling my record. ... I think I know what you mean, though. I think the initial knee-jerk reaction is that the Decemberists are in cahoots with Starbucks. But our CDs sell at Walmart, and Walmart’s horrible, but I’m not going to say don’t say to sell our record at Walmart, though maybe I should. I don’t know. I think there are bigger battles to be fought right now.
What’s your favorite thing besides Decemberists CDs to buy at Starbucks?
12 oz black coffee. I never go there when I'm at home, though. At Portland, we have so many amazing roasteries. I'm looking out the window at my house, and I can see the Albino Press, which is this awesome independent coffee shop. When you’re like in England, and you can’t get a good cup of coffee, I go to Starbucks for sure. And not to defend Starbucks, but I read that more small coffee shops started popping up when they got popular because more people in America were finding out what espresso was, which is true for me because I grew up in a small suburb around Chicago, and I didn’t know what espresso was until I went to Starbucks. (Washingtonian)
Most artists are happy with their music selling anywhere, as long as they net money in the pocket/get exposure. Duh.
Posted by: HopkinsBella | March 15, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Musical and "Indie" superiority (especially) has always pissed me off, and I believe that this interview question stemmed from that kind of attitude.
I'm GLAD that Starbucks and WalMart are selling their CDs. They are a talented group with thought-provoking material, and the fact that their CDs sold at major commercial retailers doesn't change any of the music they've recorded in the last 5-6 years. They deserve exposure.
It is ridiculous to believe that a certain kind of music or a certain band can only be enjoyed by or owned by a certain kind of person who belongs to a special scene or circle.
I'm just happy to be able to listen to The Decemberists' now when I'm working!
The first time I heard a song from Crane Wife on the SBUX satellite programing, I couldn't believe it:
Rather than thinking, "Ooooooh, sell-out!", It MADE MY DAY.
Posted by: Amanita Barista | March 15, 2007 at 10:45 AM
Ha-ha - major typo - the coffee shop he refers to by his house is the Albin-A, not Albin-O Press!!
Posted by: pdx girl | March 15, 2007 at 02:09 PM
at least the decembrists are horribly boring like most of the cd's starbucks sells
Posted by: wind it up | March 15, 2007 at 05:19 PM
arnt*
sorry
Posted by: wind it up | March 15, 2007 at 05:20 PM
I agree with Aminita. This is 100 times better than the acoustic version of Crazy in Love by Beyonce.
Posted by: | March 17, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Walmart is big for music market. Many people will buy music in there especially those people who happen to stumble upon music section. Even at online shopping at walmart homepage, people are buying music and cd in there. Also for starbucks.
Posted by: Ryan | July 09, 2007 at 08:54 PM