How does a band/musician sell out?.?

Question

All the time I hear people sell that a band/musician sold out but how did they do that?

Answer 1

It's when a band or artist compromises their integrity, morality, or principles in exchange for money, success, or other personal gain. It doesn't necessarily mean a change in artistic direction...but it is a PURPOSEFUL change in direction for the sole sake of mass appeal. One example is the band Chumbawumba - who - for years where a politically-activist, anarchist band who, among other things, attacked major labels. But - then after YEARS of being a band - they signed to EMI. Dylan was considered a "sell out" by the folk scene when he went electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 (although I don't consider this to be a purposeful "sell out", but rather an artistic change of direction). I'd say that Phil Collins is a sell-out. If you listen to early Genesis and Brand X - he at one time played progressive rock - and then completely changed his style to simple, mainstream pop & dance hits.

Of course - my favorite definition is when someone asked Jason Newstead (ex-Metallica bassist) about whether or not Metallica were sellouts. He responded by saying, "Yes. Everytime we play - we sell the place out. So we are sell outs!"

Answer 2

Most people believe the term "sell out" is when a band which was first an underground band starts to use the media like television and go to a high rich label and sell out to the media. For example, people think Fall Out Boy sold out because they went from a little band with a big fan base where they met all their fans, to a band on MTV and a huge label. Now poser kids will try and go to their concert leaving the true fans out of tickets and out of luck.

Answer 3

They sell their music to companies that use it to promote a product, they promote products themselves, buy ten cars, and show it off on TV. Or people call them sell outs if their song is overplayed, and they become too popular(have their own perfumes, etc...).

An example of one that hasn't sold out is an older band, called the Doors.
Green Day is said to have sold out, but I still can't understand why. They need to stop playing their songs so much, because it's such a great band.

Answer 4

Technically, it's when they "betray their artistic tendencies to make music that will sell more," hence the phrasing "sell out."

The fact is, bands rarely sell out. They write what they're going to write, and it becomes popular and catches on or it doesn't.

But for the record, if someone wanted my band to wear KISS makeup or something to become world-reknown rich musicians? Oh yeah. In a heartbeat.

Answer 5

For example...here in Texas we have "country" music bands that play Texas Country or Red Dirt music early on and they get a huge following here and surrounding states, then they get greedy and start making music to the likes of Nashville country. They totally stop what they were doing and sounding like to get rich...that's selling out.

Answer 6

Their music becomes more "poppish" or commercially suited. Often-times, they let their songs be used in commercials, movies or television shows. In general, it's a band that became very popular after having a small following and consequently changes the course and style of their music to appeal to the masses.

Answer 7

When the music isn't true anymore. When its nothing more than "radio friendly"/ what producers want to hear vs. the fans. Thats when they really sell out. Its like I always say, " Be true to yourself and the rest will unfold"

Answer 8

By liking Brittany Spears

Answer 9

Want of more money. Don't look at it as selling out look at it as making yourself more accessible.

Answer 10

i dont know find out