Most record labels are based in LA, where being a conservative is akin sporting a swastika arm band at a Bar Mitzvah. It's understood that one should be a liberal. I typically hate it when artists get political, but it is inevitable when one lives in a creative bubble egged on by other like-minded people. Greenday went full into political commentary with "American Idiot", and while that album is considered to be among their best, they've never been the same sense, nor have they seen the same success.

The reason is simple: politics are divisive. Taking a political stand runs the risk of alienating those that do not agree with you, and guess what? Those people purchase and listen to music too! While political stances can bring attention which will boost short term notoriety and sales, it often comes with lasting long-term consequences as those who disagree decide to tune out those overtly political messages which offend their world view.

Going "political" as a musician is akin to a network investing in reality tv. Reality tv shows bring in a temporary ratings bump as everyone talks about how over the top and edgy it is. The kinds of people who like reality tv come rushing in. However, those who don't, the ones who were watching in the first place, soon get turned off and leave...never to return. Those reality tv watchers, they have short attention spans and soon move on to the next big "oh no she didn't!" show. The only way to keep them is to keep pushing the envelope of trashyness until it simply becomes unsustainable and collapses. Then, the network is left with nothing: no loyal viewers, no re-watchable original programming, no cohesive brand identity, and no creative direction to go in. Once you go political just once, you will always be viewed in a partisan lens (see Dixie Chicks).

This post was edited on 11/21/16 at 11:49 pm