Hayley Mary, singer for The Jezabels, has some advice for music critics that don’t ‘get’ her band; stop spreading hate and “Fucking get a real job.”
“There is too much hatred in the world to have a job that is based on writing off what other people try and do,” The Jezabels frontwoman tells Music Feeds; “unless that person is in a serious position of power. I don’t mind when people criticise politicians, or like the army or something… Musicians are just writing songs. You don’t need to get all vitriolic about the situation.”
Mary’s comments arrive while discussing the critical reception of the Sydney band (and vice versa) surrounding second studio album The Brink, which peaked at #2 on the ARIA Charts upon release while The Jezabels were touring with the Laneway Festival.
“I’m not entirely sure what that does actually mean anymore,” Mary said of the chart sales. “It seems like people like the songs when we play them live and that’s the only real gauge of knowing. Oh, that and reviewers, and I’m sorry to say if you’re a reviewer, which you probably are, but I don’t like reviews.” “I’m sorry to say if you’re a reviewer, which you probably are, but I don’t like reviews.”
Our own Tone Deaf reviewer says The Brink “cleverly and intuitively avoids the sophomore slump,” but as music review aggregator Any Decent Music exhibits our own 7.5 score was the most favourable, with other publications describing the record as “far too pedestrian”, “deeply contrived”, and “wishy-washy music for moody goth-lite teens.”
Mary admits to Music Feeds she “didn’t actually read any” reviews for The Brink, because the majority of reviewers “don’t get” their music and suggests that if music critics don’t like a record, they shouldn’t review it, adding ‘jokingly’, “fucking get a real job.”
In her critique of the critics The Jezabels mouthpiece specifically named Mess + Noise as particularly representative of “certain schools of critics… that fucking hate us and sort of always were going to.” Conceding there “are a few great reviewers in Australia and the world” but that the majority of reviewers have written off their music or have “already decided that they hate the band.”
“Clearly it’s not for you, so you’re communicating something that’s not that helpful to someone who might potentially like it, or not like it. It’s just hate, and gushing is similarly as uninformative and not helpful.”
The Jezabels head out on a headline national tour next month, beginning with two dates at the Sydney Opera House, as well as hitting regional centres as part of the Groovin The Moo 2014 lineup. Full details below.
The Jezabels Australian Tour 2014
Monday April 28 – Sydney Opera House – Sydney, NSW
Tickets $59 + booking fee sydneyoperahouse.com/music / 02 9250 7777
Tuesday April 29 – Sydney Opera House – Sydney, NSW
Tickets $59 + booking fee sydneyoperahouse.com/music / 02 9250 7777
Friday May 2 – The Palais Theatre – Melbourne, VIC
* With special guests Gang Of Youths
Tickets $55 + bf available from www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100
Tuesday May 6 – The Tivoli Theatre – Brisbane, QLD
* With special guests Gang Of Youths
Tickets $55 + bf available from www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100
Friday May 9 – The Astor Theatre – Perth, WA
* With special guests Gang Of Youths
Tickets $55 + bf available from www.showticketing.com.au 08 9370 5889
Also performing at:
Groovin The Moo 2014
Fri 25 April – Oakbank Racecourse, Oakbank SA (ANZAC Day Public Holiday)
Sat 26 April – Maitland Showgrounds, Maitland NSW
Sun 27 April – University Of Canberra, Canberra ACT
Sat 3 May – Prince Of Wales Showground, Bendigo VIC
Sun 4 May – Murray Sports Complex, Townsville QLD
Sat 10 May – Hay Park, Bunbury WA
All tickets on sale now.
Cost: $99.90 + BF
Available from www.gtm.net.au or www.moshtix.com.au
