Photo: Splash
Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler has slammed bands who work with brands to promote their music as 'selling out'.
While at South By South West Festival in America, Win and brother Will were part of a panel conversation led by Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, when discussing 'the celebrity economy in music'.
When put to Butler than bands working with brands was a 'necessity', Win replied "it is selling out though, just for the record," reports NME.
He continued: "Essentially, artists have been getting screwed over at pretty much the same rate, but now slightly different people are screwing us over."
Brother Will added that he didn't mind, as long as 'the art is good': "I'm fine as long as the product is good, the only shame is to me that it allows so much boring music to be made!"
Win also added that he saw benefits in not being signed in their early days: "When we first started to deal with the music industry I had so many less hours in the day," he commented. "That's the advantage of not having a record deal, because it really does take care of yourself if you're obsessively [focused on making music]".
Will was then asked how musicians would make money in ten years' time. His answer? Your parents.
"I think a lot of artists will make money from their parents," he said. "I don't know if you know, but that's a giant way that a lot of bands make money these days and its great… As the rich get richer, their kids can do whatever the hell they want! Big up parents, wherever you are."
Meanwhile, Will Butler will be heading to the UK for the following tour dates, after the recent release of his debut solo album Policy. See below for ticket details.
Tue April 21 2015 - MANCHESTER Manchester Deaf Institute
Wed April 22 2015 - LONDON Scala London
Thu April 23 2015 - BIRMINGHAM Temple at Institute
Sat April 25 2015 - DUBLIN Whelans
