Selling out for tacos or a good opportunity? Passion Pit talks about keeping it real.

By Linda in 2012, Indie Rock, Pop · October 2, 2012 · 3 comments

Tags: feed the beat, locos tacos, Passion Pit, selling out, taco bell

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Passion Pit and Take A Walk

Song: Take a Walk – Gossamer
Artist: Passion Pit
Download:
Take a Walk - Gossamer

I have a confession to make. I’d never heard of Passion Pit when I decided to write about the Taco Bell commercial featuring their song, “Take A Walk”. I chose the commercial because I happened to see it on TV and I really liked the song. With that being said, we received an article from a reader in which the band addresses accusations of “selling out” by some of their fans. Passion Pit feels that while the song’s lyrical meaning doesn’t necessarily correlate with tacos, they are stoked it has a national presence. They want their music to be out there so people who may have never heard of them can experience their sound. People like me.

Labeling a band as selling out is detrimental – not only to the band but to the fans as well. Don’t you have a band you LOVE and wish more people knew about them? I do. And haven’t you had a band you adore finally get radio airtime with a hit single only to be relegated to the sad, dark place that is the “one-hit wonder band” land? You’re left questioning why other people don’t love this band as much as you. Bands need exposure, like this Taco Bell commercial, to get new fans and have the demand out there for their music.

And really, is Passion Pit truly guilty of “selling out”? Passion Pit has a history with Taco Bell from being a part of the “Feed the Beat” campaign. TB hooked them up with $500 for food while on tour, helpful because the Bell is everywhere. (Except Bethel, AK. Heh). I’m glad Passion Pit decided to allow Taco Bell to use their song. Otherwise, I might not have discovered how much I enjoy their music.

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  • http://www.rassles.net rassles

    I remember when “Sleepyhead” was all over the Little Big Planet 2 trailers, and I didn’t realize the song wasn’t written for the video game. It just perfectly meshed. But it worked, because I wanted to play that game sooooo bad just because of the song, and then I was all, “um, how about I just listen to the song, yeah.”

  • http://www.rassles.net rassles

    In regards to “selling out”…It really only counts as selling out if they’re compromising their artistic integrity. Passion Pit doesn’t sing about sticking it to the man or avoiding chain restaurants, so how can that count as selling out?

    Sellouts live lifestyles that are the polar opposite of the values they spewed when they were younger – I understand that people change as they grow old, but sometimes bands just flat out negate the music of their younger days and basically rendered all of it obnoxiously pointless.

  • Jessica Thompson

    I agree with Rassles when she writes, “In regards to “selling out”…It really only counts as selling out if they’re compromising their artistic integrity.” If Passion Pit has no moral objection to Taco Bell, why not make money and get more exposure by allowing Taco Bell to use their music?

    The music industry has changed. Landing a major commercial can be a turning point in a musician’s career. As a matter of fact, I think I just stumbled upon another article idea…