Audio By Carbonatix
Remember local promoter Charlie Levy‘s open letter urging bands not to participate in the Sound Strike boycott of Arizona because of SB 1070?
It was, as Chris Farley might say, awesome.
Levy has received a response from Conor Oberst (a.k.a. That Guy Who Should Re-Assemble Bright Eyes).
Link here.
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Oberst’s letter is actually very, very well written. It’s obvious he put some thought into this and it’s not at all self-righteous — he’s from Nebraska, which has troubles of its own, he points out. It also seems like maybe he knows this thing may have been a little rash, and that it might do more harm but good, but also feels his credibility will take a hit if he backs down.
“A boycott is, inherently, a blunt instrument. It is an imperfect weapon, a carpet bomb, when all involved would prefer a surgical strike. I agree with you in part, and the radio host you quoted, that the authors and supporters of SB1070 could give a shit whether or not my band, or any other Artist, ever plays Arizona again… The Boycott has to be so widespread and devastating that the Arizona State Legislature and Governor have no choice but to repeal their unconstitutional, immoral and hateful law. It has to hurt them in the only place they feel any pain, their pocketbooks. [more]”
Anyway, I guess the point is this: We’re screwed.
Happy fucking Fourth of July, Phoenix.
