Defending Laibach's Indiegogo
I got an email update from Laibach the other day that got me pretty upset. The gist of it was that they had been receiving comments about how they shouldn’t be “begging” for help to fund their North American Tour.
The response was eloquent and reasonable. Even quoted Saint Francis of Assisi.
I’d like to add my own comments in defence of the campaign - which has been quite successful.
I’m a single parent with a very limited income. I’m incredibly conscientious of what I spend my money on and if there is something special that I’d like to see/participate in, I have to budget for it.
However, when I found out that some of the founders of the most intense political commentators /art & music collectives the world has ever known were coming to a city that was close enough to drive to, there was no question. My boyfriend and I were going to attend. Even if it meant that we did nothing over the summer and I subsisted on ichiban when my kidlet was seeing her father, we were going to see Laibach. My boyfriend has been longing for the chance to see these people perform for over 2 decades and I’ve loved their work since he played Opus Dei for me 13 years ago. The almost 1000km (one-way) drive though the mountains would only cause our hearts to be closer to the heavens that granted us this opportunity.
Then I found out that the tour was losing money. Quite a lot of money, in fact. Now, Laibach has never been one to do things for fame and fortune. They are compelled to create their art and music, because they know it’s a message that needs to be heard. I decided that my evil credit card could be used for the forces of good. I would give my love the chance to meet these amazing people that decided to do a show in Vancouver. For $300 we were going to be able to say hallo to Laibach. In addition, I was going to receive an original Laibach uniform shirt, tie, belt armband, badge (that’s pin in North American) AND tickets to the show.
A pretty sweet deal if you ask me. They get a bit of support for their North American Tour and we get to meet some icons of the music and art world.
As the show (which I will review in the near future) date got closer, I began to feel a bit nervous. What if they were like the artists in my favourite classic novels? Would they resent me for being a patron of their art? Would I be looked down upon for using my money as a way into their world?
Turns out I didn’t have to worry about that in the least. After a performance that blew us away, we went backstage and met Ivan, Mina, Luka and Rok. All of them were incredibly gracious. So cool and beautiful I completely forgot all the questions I wanted to ask. I managed to mumble something about Putin being a jerk, anyway. They were impressed with the distance we drove to see them and we talked about a past performance and their work with NSK. We drank a beer and they smoked skinny cigarettes. We spent more time with them than either of us expected and it was a thoroughly gratifying experience. Something that neither of us will ever forget.
I remember in the 90’s being able to see 4 bands in a local venue for less than $10. This is not the world we live in anymore. Touring is prohibitively expensive now. If crowdfunding allows the artists of the world - vocal, visual or otherwise, to spread their work to the masses, then I’m all for it. Laibach shouldn’t lose money when they’re doing North America a favour by performing. It’s an exhausting life, being on busses and going from town to town. I’m glad I can say I contributed a few bucks to something worthwhile and got to meet some amazing people in the process. I put a couple litres of gas in their transportation and in return, my boyfriend and I got to experience something that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.
Laibach are not beggars, I’m glad they had the sense to launch such a successful campaign. What I got in return for my contribution was priceless. They deserve every fucking dime they get and anyone that thinks otherwise can simply choose not to give money.
I am more than happy to eat instant noodles in August.
Photo by Maya Nightingale
The response was eloquent and reasonable. Even quoted Saint Francis of Assisi.
I’d like to add my own comments in defence of the campaign - which has been quite successful.
I’m a single parent with a very limited income. I’m incredibly conscientious of what I spend my money on and if there is something special that I’d like to see/participate in, I have to budget for it.
However, when I found out that some of the founders of the most intense political commentators /art & music collectives the world has ever known were coming to a city that was close enough to drive to, there was no question. My boyfriend and I were going to attend. Even if it meant that we did nothing over the summer and I subsisted on ichiban when my kidlet was seeing her father, we were going to see Laibach. My boyfriend has been longing for the chance to see these people perform for over 2 decades and I’ve loved their work since he played Opus Dei for me 13 years ago. The almost 1000km (one-way) drive though the mountains would only cause our hearts to be closer to the heavens that granted us this opportunity.
Then I found out that the tour was losing money. Quite a lot of money, in fact. Now, Laibach has never been one to do things for fame and fortune. They are compelled to create their art and music, because they know it’s a message that needs to be heard. I decided that my evil credit card could be used for the forces of good. I would give my love the chance to meet these amazing people that decided to do a show in Vancouver. For $300 we were going to be able to say hallo to Laibach. In addition, I was going to receive an original Laibach uniform shirt, tie, belt armband, badge (that’s pin in North American) AND tickets to the show.
A pretty sweet deal if you ask me. They get a bit of support for their North American Tour and we get to meet some icons of the music and art world.
As the show (which I will review in the near future) date got closer, I began to feel a bit nervous. What if they were like the artists in my favourite classic novels? Would they resent me for being a patron of their art? Would I be looked down upon for using my money as a way into their world?
Turns out I didn’t have to worry about that in the least. After a performance that blew us away, we went backstage and met Ivan, Mina, Luka and Rok. All of them were incredibly gracious. So cool and beautiful I completely forgot all the questions I wanted to ask. I managed to mumble something about Putin being a jerk, anyway. They were impressed with the distance we drove to see them and we talked about a past performance and their work with NSK. We drank a beer and they smoked skinny cigarettes. We spent more time with them than either of us expected and it was a thoroughly gratifying experience. Something that neither of us will ever forget.
I remember in the 90’s being able to see 4 bands in a local venue for less than $10. This is not the world we live in anymore. Touring is prohibitively expensive now. If crowdfunding allows the artists of the world - vocal, visual or otherwise, to spread their work to the masses, then I’m all for it. Laibach shouldn’t lose money when they’re doing North America a favour by performing. It’s an exhausting life, being on busses and going from town to town. I’m glad I can say I contributed a few bucks to something worthwhile and got to meet some amazing people in the process. I put a couple litres of gas in their transportation and in return, my boyfriend and I got to experience something that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.
Laibach are not beggars, I’m glad they had the sense to launch such a successful campaign. What I got in return for my contribution was priceless. They deserve every fucking dime they get and anyone that thinks otherwise can simply choose not to give money.
I am more than happy to eat instant noodles in August.
Photo by Maya Nightingale
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