I’ve been meaning to write this piece for a long time, but I’ve just not been particularly motivated. I don’t know if it’s a “funk” but I’m pretty certain that I’m at a crossroads of sorts. But that’s not what this is about. This is about me selling out.
Y’see, I was watching the video for Erykah Badu’s “Honey” and I was really digging it. But then the message at the end of the video scrolls across the bottom of the screen “Support Your Local Record Store!” I’ve been completely slacking on that.
I probably haven’t been somewhere that could be described as “local” to buy music in around a year. Yup, it was easily a year ago that I last journeyed across town to purchase music. That was the last time I went to Zia’s, which isn’t even “local” since there are a few in Tucson, too.
So I’m watching Erykah’s video and being nostalgic for the experience of digging through racks of music. I’m feeling happy because I’ve had that experience, I know what it feels like and I wouldn’t mind feeling it again. And then she gets preachy and makes me feel bad.
But should I feel bad? I mean the truly “local” music stores have horrible selection. So I really want to encourage them to continue doing such a poor job? I could take the trek to Zia’s but it’s not even truly local.
So where have I been getting my music? I’ve been going to Best Buy. It’s close to the house (not even a mile away) so I get some exercise when I go down there. Plus, it’s not an all day affair like going to Zia’s. Seriously, that’s a trip that costs me three buses’ worth of money and an entire day off. At what point do I put myself above my desire to support local industry? And I’m not even really that attached to Las Vegas!
Still, I do kind of feel bad that I’m going to Best Buy—I don’t want to support the big box stores. Do I get any credit for doing it because it’s more convenient rather than to save a few bucks? Eh, I tried.
And of course, the ultimate irony is that I picked up Erykah’s album from Best Buy. So do I commend myself for supporting the artist or loathe myself for not supporting a local store? Is it a draw?
This is why I don’t watch videos.
