Why Everyone Should Own a Dog

Have you ever felt completely and 100% unjudged by someone? Like they would absolutely adore you no matter what? Like if everyone else in your life walked out on you, they’d sit by your side just happy to spend time together?

Callie and I

I have. I’ve got the most loyal best friend in the entire world. Her name is Callie and she’s beautiful- inside and out.

Good listeners are hard to come by; but not if you have dog. A dog will snuggle right up beside you and hang on to every word you say. They don’t ask questions, they don’t judge and they never say the wrong thing. Somehow, Callie can always sense when I’m sad. She gives me that signature nudge with her forehead and always manages to make me feel better.

And who needs a home security system? A dog will see and hear things in and around your house long before you will. A few “vicious” barks near the front door and any intruder would think twice before entering. Nobody would be brave (or stupid) enough to face Callie when she’s in protective mode. The term loyal doesn’t even begin to describe the commitment of a dog to its owner. You don’t mess with that.

Swimming

The bonus of owning a dog? It’s like having a very dedicated (and very cute) exercise partner. The dog never bails. She’s never “too busy”, she’s never “too tired” and she definitely never “just doesn’t feel like it”. If you can’t get motivated to head out on that jog you’ve been planning for yourself, do for the dog. The sheer joy you’ll get, knowing you just made her day is worth every step as your feet pound the pavement. Without even realizing it, the two of you are driving each other forward and inspiring each other’s happiness.

The single best part about owning a dog- it doesn’t matter if you left five hours ago or five minutes ago, the dog’s reaction is always the same when you get back. It’s like they haven’t seen you in days. Caliie’s tails wags so hard the whole back half of her body swings wildly from side to side. It’s a happy dance that could never be replaced by anything else.

Humanity needs an animal like the dog. The emotion they exhibit is unparalleled by any other animal. Dogs always find it in their hearts to forgive. They feel remorse for their mistakes and their love for you is never jeopardized when you make one. Dogs are remarkable; their ability to love with their entire heart is truly inspiring.

Walk time

Just hanging out

There's More to Macklemore

Recently there have been a number of tweets and articles about the use of the song Wings by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis as the introduction for the 2013 NBA All Star Game. It seems that once again, the public has been quick to jump to the conclusion that another talented, passionate artist is selling out.

The more an artist grows, the more people seem to toss this phrase around. The very definition of selling out is compromising one’s artistic integrity for money or fame. Macklemore’s response to this appeared in his blog post where he confidently stated, “In my heart, I can tell you that my personal artistic integrity remained completely intact over the weekend.”

Macklemore says the song Wings is about the pursuit of identity through the means of consumerism. The subject he focuses on throughout the song is a pair of shoes but the broader message is about being a consumer by reminiscing back to his first memory of retail-driven desire.

The situation is more complicated than trash talkers may realize. For example, the writers for the All Star intro re-arranged the structure of the song Wings. It wasn’t until after Macklemore had accepted, when he arrived and read the script that he realized they’d done this. “I didn’t know prior to that day that my lyrics were going to be edited,” he said. “But to be 100% honest, I didn’t really care once I learned they were.” Macklemore explains that in any licensing deal your music is going to be edited. It’s simply not possible to fit a four-minute song into a 30 second trailer or ad. Lyrics get cut to fit the organization’s purpose.

There is a story behind Wings that chronicles Macklemore’s love of basketball and his life as a kid who wanted to be just like Michael Jordan. It only makes sense that this is the angle of the song the NBA wanted to focus on. For the group, this was an opportunity for Macklemore’s name to reach millions of people. If that audience enjoys the song, they may take the initiative to listen to the full version; to hear the song in its entirety and discover what gives the song depth. Perhaps some of these people may even appreciate the song and become real fans.

It would make sense for people to claim that Macklemore had sold out if Wings had been matched to a shoe commercial. That would be blatant insincerity and would completely contradict the song. But that’s just not the case. It’s like Macklemore said, “TNT used our song. They’re still my words. They picked the parts that fit their ad campaign and visually matched it to us performing.” The point is, if you remove the consumerism cautionary aspect of Wings, a story still exists; and Macklemore says it’s a story he is still proud of. “It’s dope to me that it’s relatable enough for TNT to want to use it” he states.

If more people understood why Macklemore agreed to do the intro and why he accepted the restructure of the song, they might not be so quick to judge. Macklemore has loved the NBA since he was young child. That’s why he quickly accepted the TNT All Star game intro. The song was embraced. Sports fans worldwide tuned in and from there more people checked out the full version of the song. They received Macklemore’s original message and strangers were transformed into fans. If anyone really believes that’s selling out, that’s fine. I’m with Macklemore when he says, “to me that’s nothing but an all around win.”

Macklemore is an artist of integrity and passion. Addressing the criticism and negativity surrounding this topic was a brilliant decision. It allowed Macklemore to explain his side of the story and clarify his decision. Although he doesn’t necessarily have to explain himself (considering how quickly he has climbed to the top of the charts), Macklemore chooses to maintain honest and open communication with his audience. This displays respect, which is something the public should be returning to him. Before jumping to conclusions and trash-talking Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for taking part in the intro for the NBA All Star game, perhaps people should have considered the artists’ side to better understand the truth.

People love to hate. There will always be some amount of negativity surrounding any artist but Macklemore’s method of personally responding in a timely and respectable manner is magnificent reputation management. Not only does he posses unbelievable talent but Macklemore is a genuinely passionate artist who deserves the all-star reputation he is quickly building for himself.

Check out Wings and many other Macklemore and Ryan Lewis songs on YouTube!

T&S: Social media success

Tegan and Sara on Ellen, Feb. 13, 2013

On September 7, 2010 a group called Get Tegan and Sara on the Ellen DeGeneres Show was created on Facebook. Well folks, two and a half years later, that request has become a reality. The dynamic duo performed their new hit Closer on February 13, 2013 on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. This is Tegan and Sara’s first time appearing on the show and according to their Twitter, performing Ellen may have the coolest moment in the band’s history.

After reading that T&S were going to be appearing on Ellen, I continued down their Twitter page to see what else was new in their world. As an “intense fan” who closely follows the T&S website, attends every nearby concert and jams to both their new and old tracks on a daily basis, you’d think I’d be up to date with the happenings of Tegan and Sara. Wrong.

Their Twitter page contained some very exciting news. I learned that the twins have been recording a YouTube series called Heartthrob: Track by Track. Each short YouTube video in the series- hosted by Tegan and Sara- focuses on a single track from their new record, describing why they wrote that song and what it means to them. I encourage you to check out the series!

Learning more about why an artist has written and performed a song in the way they have can often provide the audience with an even stronger connection to the song. It helps fans understand the meaning behind the track and helps us relate to the message. The setting of this particular video series is intimate; it consists simply of the song playing in the background and T&S sitting side-by-side conversing about it. It brings the audience closer to the artists, closer to the song and closer to the band in general. Isn’t that what it’s all about in the music industry? Connecting with the song and the artist.

The day after appearing on Ellen, the crafty sisters released Heartthrob valentines on their website.  The valentines were clever; featuring messages like “Will you be my Heartthrob?” The cards were posted on their social media platforms so T&S fans could easily select a card, personalize a message and send it to a friend or a special someone. 

In a very short period of time, Tegan and Sara have altered their sound, taken over radio stations everywhere, made several television appearances and rocked a number of social media platforms. So why is social media important to a band like Tegan and Sara?

Well, as an artist, how important is it to communicate with fans? Alternatively, how much do fans appreciate such a simple connection? The reality is, social media has become an important part of our society; it’s how many of us interact. It provides a way for people of influence to proactively brand themselves to their fans and to the public. It is a way for them to grow using simple things like creativity, passion and consistency.

Social media provides artists like Tegan and Sara with a place to build a community. It’s a place where they can surround themselves with fans and positivity. The T&S community is primarily comprised of their core audience and intense followers. Social media is a positive place for them to develop their brand and easily communicate with these fans. The examples of social media use outlined above are thoughtful and efficient. 

T&S effectively use social media every day to communicate with their audience. They use it to make and enhance connections, to increase their website traffic and to give something back to their fans. Their blog is updated often in order to communicate consistently with their fans, allowing them to feel involved in the world of T&S. Tegan and Sara promote engagement; they make it clear that they appreciate feedback. This feeling of inclusion encourages fans to become even more involved.

The fan-mailbox

On their  current tour, Tegan and Sara have a mailbox located at the merchandise table. They accept anything a fan chooses to leave in the box. Later, they read the notes, look at the drawings and listen to the music their fans have offered them. They discuss and sometimes show these special pieces on social networking platforms to acknowledge the senders.

Tegan and Sara are genuine. Not to mention they're beautiful, hilarious and amazingly talented. All of this combined with their effective use of social media is great for their image. As long as they keep up the honest communication, the good social networking habits and the unbeatable sound, T&S should have no problem maintaining their positive public image.

Tegan and Sara audience, 2013

Taylor Swift's Collapsing Country Credit

Taylor Swift, 2006

Country music fans have embraced Taylor Swift since she began her career in 2006. Swift was a very young, talented singer-songwriter with a soft, sweet voice and heart-filled song lyrics. Since the release of her first album at age 16, Swift has always self-identified as a country artist. She very quickly became the bright, young face of the genre but lately things are sounding quite different.

Tuning in to Swift’s newest record Red, it isn’t hard to tell that the famous Taylor-twang we’ve all grown to love is gone. As a big country music fan, I feel comfortable saying there is just nothing country about Swift’s newest hits. In fact, let’s take a minute here to compare Swift’s earlier work like Tim McGraw to some of her newest songs like We Are Never Getting Back Together and I Knew You Were Trouble. I think most of us can agree the lively country vibe of Taylor Swift’s songs and videos is absent from these newer examples.

Taylor Swift, 2013

We haven’t heard much from Swift about her new image since the release of this album. As a country-version-of-Taylor-Swift fan, I’m disappointed. I feel like she’s selling out. Lately when I hear her on the radio, I find myself switching stations. My friends and I have an ongoing joke about the fact that Taylor Swift could even be considered a country music artist. We, like many others, embraced the new country star with open arms when she began to appear in the country music world. Now, as country music enthusiasts, we feel a bit abandoned by the ever-growing pop star. 

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with Swift switching things up and gearing her music toward a new audience. It is clear from my previous post about the change Tegan and Sara are making that I can get behind a move from one genre to another. I simply believe Swift needs to clarify her target market to cover pop music. Her latest work is a clear move away from country music and I think it’s important for her to indicate that to her fans and her audience(s). Is she abandoning her country roots or is she simply trying to push her own boundaries? Clarification from her on this topic could have prevented any hostility from her fans.

If I were part of Swift’s PR team, I would emphasize the importance of open communication and acknowledging change to her audience. Honesty and compassion for fans are admirable traits to possess when a person is in the public eye. Is her goal to gain a larger presence in mainstream media? If so, just say that. Fans appreciate honesty. If I look up to someone and if they want to keep my loyalty, I expect them to be transparent. I expected Taylor Swift to recognize the changes she made and to openly identify them to her audience. If this had happened I would have remained a Taylor Swift fan instead of simply being a member of her audience.

Check out Swift's new album and see what you you think!

Taylor Swift's 2012 Album, Red

Tegan and Sara: From indie to pop

You don’t have to know me well to know that my favourite band of all time is the extremely talented Canadian duo, Tegan and Sara. For 13 year these brilliant sisters have been writing, playing and performing their music for a growing audience. Their unique voices and extreme talent combined with more than a decade of hard work have led to the production of seven amazing records.

In April 2012 the sisters began working on a new album. Immediately, they knew they wanted to “shake it up”. They were set on trying something different. “We have a huge back catalogue of guitar driven music,” says Tegan, “and the idea of just making another guitar driven record seemed boring.” Sara says they wanted to take a big step; they didn’t want to make another record that sounds like something people expect from them.

Heartthrob coming January 29

The outcome of this- an album called Heartthrob- is the most commercial album of their career. When they chose the producers for this album, T&S wanted somebody with more of a pop touch. This deliberate transformation into the world of pop music has caused some controversy among T&S fans. Emotions are high and the reaction to the new album is heated. The word sellout has been thrown around a number of times by angry fans. In response to a recent Rolling Stone article about the new album one person wrote, “Actually yea, admitting that you want to change what you’re doing for more money is the definition of sell-out.” Another disgruntled reader said, “The first four albums were and will always be great… However, I’m going to enter the state of mind as if they stopped touring and making music then. Essentially, that is what they’ve done.”

It doesn’t take much to see there are some unhappy T&S fans out there. However, another reader of the same article said, “This is a really good interview. They’re being open about what they’re trying to do and you have to respect them for that.” This made me think about the band’s transformation from a public relations perspective. Sure, they admitted they wanted a pop touch to the new album, but Tegan also clearly stated, “I wanted a pop touch but I wanted credible.” Neither of them wanted to lose their “bite” with this new album, they simply wanted to try something new. After everything they’ve accomplished, why does anyone have the right to question their decision to grow into a different market or capture a new audience? Are T&S giving us any reason to think we shouldn’t trust their judgment? As a long-term fan, I must admit, they’ve done nothing but impress me up to date- if they’re honest and open about the transformation, they’ll continue to be credible artists who deserve respect.

Sara says they’ve learned to put their fans into two different categories. They’ve titled them the General Fan and the Intense Fan.

General Fan: This is somebody who attends a Tegan and Sara concert approximately one in every three times they come to a city. They might be into a couple of their songs but they haven’t purchased every record.

Intense Fan: This is the person who knows everything there is to know about the band. They own every album and every DVD; they keep up with the Tegan and Sara website, Twitter and Facebook activity; they’re the first to buy tickets.

She explains it is the Intense Fan she worries about. “I worry [they] won’t like anything we do ever again because they are so committed and devoted to what we’ve already done.” She continues, “It’s very challenging to ask them to like something new.” The fact that they’re acknowledging the difficulty T&S fans may have with their new image demonstrates compassion for their audience. Although it may be difficult to adjust, we as fans need to consider this and give the new album a chance before abandoning ship. As a Rolling Stone reader said, “What is life without change? This interview makes me respect them even more. Here’s to an awesome new stage!”

As long as the duo continues to conduct great interviews and remain honest with their audience, they should be celebrated. Tegan explained, “Sara and I started writing when we were 15. We’re 32 now. I’m not gonna be interested if Sara came up to me and was like, ‘let’s make a record; it’s gonna sound like The Con’ I’d be like, ‘Well we already have The Con.’” She said, “I have to keep it fresh... I want to see our music go to new places. I don’t want the same stuff, you know?” A dream to try something new after 13 years of hard work combined with a promise not to lose sight of who they are is pretty remarkable. From a PR perspective, I think T&S are doing a great job. Heartthrob will be released in Canada on January 29. Let’s wait until then to decide if we love their new sound. It is my guess that true Intense Fans will stick around to support and applaud their growth. After all, they deserve it.

Check out their  new song Closer here.