Rant: Politics Should Stay Out Of Music

I hate politics. I have my stances, my opinions and whatever knowledge I've garnered because of it, but I hate politics. You know what I love? Well, aside from finishing up Human Monsters – a book that documents every serial killer recorded in history, trashy reality television, and recently unlocking a hidden gambling problem, I love music. I love downloading, er, opening a new CD, dancing to a great DJ set, and the anticipation of an upcoming show.

Politics has influenced music since Yankee Doodle first put a feather in his hat, but I see it fairing much better without it. Music is often an escape mechanism away from the human slaughtering and international thievery that graces us at every other medium we turn to, so why not just leave it be? Politics belongs in a cage while music should roam free. I always thought it best that music and politics remain two separated entities apart from each other.

A musician taking a position on politics? Fundraising concerts? Blogs about how you feel about what's going on in the world?

::click::

That's the sound of me shutting off the TV, turning off the radio and exiting a web browser. That's exactly what I do when I see/read/hear about musicians trying to take some arrogant approach on influencing people's vote regarding this years upcoming presidential election.

This tirade is in response to three articles I read in the last few weeks pertaining to artists endorsing a political candidate – in this case all were for Barack Obama – however, I have a problem with anyone in music, and Hollywood celebrities in general, choosing to speak their mind about who they think fit to run the country.

First, Win Butler of Arcade Fire openly endorsed Obama. Then my other favorite rocker of all time Pete Wentz backed him too, and now Getupandvote.com set up "Barack Rock" on the eve of Super Tuesday dedicated to getting people to vote for him. They promise hosts from comedy troupe Stella and performances from Shudder To Think, Nina Persson of The Cardigans, and Ok Go.

What the fuck indie-revelers? I don't care who you endorse and I especially don't want you influencing me, or anyone else, who we should vote for. In addition, trying to garner your fans to hop on board just prevents them from forming their own conclusion because, surprise, people can be that ignorant. In light of the times we live in, it's impossible to escape what's scrolling along those news tickers, but you could certainly go about it in a smarter way.

There's no way of escaping the spectrum of either senselessly supporting or mindlessly bashing our president, but there's a much smarter way of going about all of this. Why not try leaving people with enough inspiration and curiosity to inform themselves of what's going on and have them come to their own conclusion. Just don't try to weld in some false credibility you think you have because you're famous.

So listen up and quit trying to force your propaganda down my throat. I don't care about who you support because you probably don't know much more about it than I do. Furthermore, I think its incredibly irresponsible on your part to think you should use your star power to get people to think like you do. When I want politics, I can find politics, I don't need you for that.