The Jezabels frontwoman Hayley Mary has addressed comments she made just last month criticising music reviewers and critics, characterising it as “a bit of a rant”. The comments, at the time, sparked some online backlash against the lead singer.
“Look, that was a bit of a rant, and I’ve got to say I’ve had more articulate rants in my time,” she explained to The Brisbane Times. “There’s various things that I’m guilty of because I’m a human being.”
The comments in question were made during an interview with Music Feeds, where Mary, somewhat jokingly, suggested that reviewers should “fucking get a real job” adding that the majority of music writers “don’t get” The Jezabels’ music. “Musicians are just writing songs. You don’t need to get all vitriolic about the situation,” she said at the time.
But in an interview with The Brisbane Times yesterday Mary said her comments were “a little bit self-contradictory and a little bit hypocritical”. She added that the “rant” was “kind of in jest, particularly the ‘get a real job’ bit. But that seems to have really bothered some people.”
According to the Times, Mary referenced a quote from late American author Kurt Vonnegut, who once likened reviewers’ distaste for bad novels to “a person who has put on full armour and attacked a hot fudge sundae”.
“That’s how it feels sometimes as a musician,” said the singer. “I’m like, ‘Do you really hate me and all I am and all my fans? Do you have to be that angry?’ I’m pretty sure I haven’t killed anyone, you know.”
“It feels personal,” she explained. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t analyse pop music or that pop music doesn’t matter. I dedicate my life to pop music. But my point is things should have perspective.” The Jezabels are about to head out on a string of headline dates across the country, as well as an appearance at Groovin’ The Moo festival. Tour details below.
The Jezabels 2014 Australian Tour Dates
Monday, 28th April
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Tix: Sydney Opera House
Tuesday, 29th April
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Tix: Sydney Opera House
Friday, 2nd May
The Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Tix: Ticketmaster
With special guests Gang Of Youths
Tuesday, 6th May
The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
Tix: Ticketmaster
With special guests Gang Of Youths
Friday, 9th May
The Astor Theatre, Perth
Tix: Show Ticketing
With special guests Gang Of Youths
