Reality Check
Let It Die (Already)
Feist’s latest album is called The Reminder...like we need one. From iPod commercials to those iconic bangs, the ubiquity of Leslie Feist By Dory Carr-Harris
True, she has yet to spawn an action figure or “try acting” like many a singing starlet before her, but since releasing her second smash album last year, the artist formerly known as Leslie has become irritatingly inescapable. Not that we’re questioning her considerable talents. We’re just asking: When did world domination earn a place on the indie to-do list?
The do: Queen West hipster babes mimic her signature funky fringe. Similar blunt bangs can be seen on everyone from Kate Moss to Mrs. Tom Cruise.
The rival: Canadian class takes on British brass in one of Grammy’s most anticipated showdowns: Feist vs. fellow iconically coiffed crooner Amy Winehouse.
The nods: “Artist of the year,” says Chart Magazine, “Best of ’07,” according to Amazon Editors’ picks. A darling of the NY Times’ pop culture critics, with props in Spin and Blender.
The show: In November, she strums her guitar and stomps her high heels on the late-night laugh fest known for booking acts-of-the-moment.
The prize: This month, the girl from Nova Scotia is up for a whopping four Grammy awards (tied with Rihanna and The Boss).
The hookup: It would be petty to use the term “sellout” here. Let’s just say that Feist made a lucrative decision to hawk her new album alongside fat-free Frappuccinos.
The fan: Kanye West’s answer to what’s big in music for 2008: Feist. Hip hop’s current king praises her on his blog and on the red carpet. Can a duet be far off?
The bible: On the cover of Rolling Stone—not quite. But her 2007 anthem “1234” (a.k.a. the iPod song) does score a mention in the rock mag’s top 20 tunes of ’07.
The honour: Picked by Vanity Fair (and photographed by Annie Leibovitz) for a November spread on folk heroes, including Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and James Taylor. She’s called—what else?—“The Breakthrough.”
The line: Say yes to iPod, but even lapsed indie acts have limits. The chanteuse turns down a million-dollar deal with the burger giant.
The laughs: Hot on the chat show circuit. Making jokes with Dave and Jay will get you everywhere.
The plug: Following Apple’s aggro ad campaign, “1234” goes from 2,000 weekly downloads to 73,000. Sales of blue sequined jumpsuits presumably see a similar lift.
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Typical Canadian "eat-your-own" mentality. Whenever someone has any kind of success that exceeds being a Juno nominee, we find it unseemly or ostentatious. I don't know why that is. It's fine for our Can-Con artists to make good music and be our own little well-kept secret. But God forbid the rest of the world should notice and they should become famous. *Gasp!*
I think it's pretty sad that Toronto Life would pick on Leslie Feist for being "ubiquitous" or overexposed. Britney Spears is overexposed. Amy Winehouse is overexposed. For that matter, Bono is overexposed, but everyone seems to think he has a right to be a rock star, so that's ok.
Toronto Life, get a life. A talented Canadian artist is achieving success and gaining popularity. There are worse crimes you could spend your time examining.
--- D
February 21, 2008 | by ddussin@ddusin - I couldn't agree more.
Toronto Life, and Dory Carr-Harris, what's the idea here? Playing too cool to someone whose success you envy? Feist may be everywhere (and that may not please your highnesses), but it's for a damn good reason - she made a fantastic record (actually, make that three fantastic records).
So why not throw her some support, or just ignore it all if that's too much to ask. But for god's sake, don't get down on a great Canadian talent just because she's had vast success. That's just a (expletive withheld) thing to do.
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
February 22, 2008 | by IMHOLet It Die (Already), Toronto Life
This article on Feist, especially the introduction, represents the kind of tone I'd like to see die in Toronto Life: supposedly clever in the eyes of its writers and editors, but merely whiny and negative to me. How about informing readers about all of Feist's recent achievements without the sarcastic spin just for the sake of revelling in your own quips?
February 24, 2008 | by amj21Quick Note: Leslie Feist is NOT from Nova Scotia, She is from Alberta.
February 24, 2008 | by loracI totally agree ddusin, what a sad article attacking someone for their success. How anyone could find a talented, successful person annoying just because of their talent and success is beyond me.
March 31, 2008 | by forkedtongue