Don't get me wrong, the last thing I want is to be a woman in her prime, but the redeeming qualities of Karen O are to envy. First, although she has attained main stream commercial success and fame, she still maintains indie status among that indie circle. It's not often that you can find an artist that straddles between commercial success and indie acclaim. What is indie you ask? As defined in wikipedia, an indie rocker is someone who places a premium on maintaining complete control of their music.
On that note, it is often too tempting to give up artistic ownership to a Hollywood music label interested only in creating mediocre songs for maximum profits. However, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's have reached commercial success without having to succumb to this usual temptation. You may disagree with me, but I wholeheartedly believe in the premium they take to control their music.
Nowhere is this control more evident than in their process of making a new album: They leave New York or L.A. behind and head to a secluded barn somewhere in the Northeast. This arrangement deters outside influences and temptations. Can you imagine spending six to eight months out in the middle of nowhere to work on music?; that involves a lot of dedication. Listen to my favorite song on their new album, It's Blitz:
Aside from controlling the quality of her music, Karen O also tries to maintain the quality of her image. A few years ago she was offered a spread on Playboy, and I am not surprised - if you look closely at her photo she does have the quality of a 1970's porn star, with the pouty lips, high cheekbones. However, she is quoted as saying that she would refuse any such offer, as the audience for Playboy is not one she wishes to attract. Talk about ideals; I'm sure they offered her a hefty sum for that spread!
Aside from Karen O's success and fame, which I do not possess, we are similar in a few ways. We are both 30 years old. In middle school, we wore baggy pants and listened to Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog; In high school, we were part of the grunge scene and listened to Nirvana; In college, we were influenced by the indie scene in New York and LA. Karen is not interested in labels, but in style. Her style suites her well, and speaks a multitude about her personage. Don't you think?
Cheers to you Karen O. Thanks for being steadfast and unwavering about your vision. It shows that you don't have to give up your ideals to be successful and famous in this world!
Karen O. currently resides in Silverlake in Los Angeles like all the indie rockers and indie superstars. Maybe one day I will also live in LA.
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