People wonder about the term “selling out”. What does it mean? Why do people get so upset at this? This is a shining example why.

A band spends their entire life trying to carve out a place in an already overpopulated niche of music. This particular niche is the sad-eyed bedroom acoustic indiepop niche. I have no problem with this type of stuff, i like some of it, some of it is a little derivative, and some it is pure crap.

DCFC is the type of band that spent a decade trying to build a fanbase, develop their own style and make a living out of something they obviously love. So they finally put out Transatlanticism, on barsuk records. it seems they finally found their place, their niche, their fanbase. awesome! good for them!

Then they jump ship from a label that let them put out whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want. Barsuk did nothing but get them to where they are. So they sign to atlantic. now we get into selling out. the band is told to write songs that appeal to more of the mainstream. you cant do this, you cant do that, lose weight, dress better, talk to MTV, do TRL. we are going to make more sellable videos, we are going to get a more mainstream producer. and whats the product? a watered down, middle of the road version of their last album. Every song has just enough style of what they use to do that got them signed to atlantic in the first place, but not TOO much. Its equal parts DCFC and John Mayer. and THATS what selling out is.