The word hipster is a completely manufactured term. It made a lot of people mad in the last decade. They wrote essays and treatise about this new demographic, but one thing is undeniably clear: the market will tap into this trend. Whenever people can be easily lumped into a category, corporations will tap that shit in order to make tons of money off the suckers through generic marketing campaigns.Which brings us to Staten Island. Many people predicted the next influx of so-called 'hipsters' would come to this borough (via the new bullshit condos by the ferry). But the real estate market tanked, making Bushwick more desirable. And everybody knows hipsters don't ride ferries, so these new luxury apts were vacant and the island kept it college-and-white trash contingent in tact.
But Cargo Cafe has still found a venue to tap into the hipster phenomenon -- Karaoke killed the cat. This two man minstrel show comes into town once a week and brings a party that more than doubles the drunk guidos you usually find at the establishment.
We know it's all fun and games, but what is the appeal with this act? Is just karaoke, right? well, no it's actually karaoke with two condescending dancers backing you up. But wait, can't any Staten Island troupe show up at a local haunt and put on a similar stunt? Well, that wouldn't be as unique, you see. The fact that these people come from "somewhere else" gives it that outsider appeal - the minstrel show.
So Karaoke night at the Cargo continues to be one of the most popular weekly events, eclipsing original music nights from bands like Pablo. What this says about Island culture we will leave others to decide, just thought we'd put the observation out there.
The people that participate don't feel condescended to. And the locals have grown very fond of the Karaoke guys. This article reads like sour grapes from someone who doesn't enjoy a certain type of fun.
ReplyDeleteCargo still puts on shows from Pablo and other original bands all the time, plus original comedy. And when those events are well presented and well promoted they are well attended and fun. Live and let live.
they should have Karaoke every night
ReplyDeleteCargo Karaoke is where bad taste skullfucks irony and ejaculates the worst version of a Notorious B.I.G. song you've ever heard.
ReplyDeleteWhat is so wrong with people having a good time? Like Tim said, there is so much going on at Cargo all the time. Maybe karaoke packs it more than those other events every week, but there's also the fact that people know it's going to be there and know it's going to be a good time, so why wouldn't they show up? I've always seen the guys who run it as two dudes encouraging people to let their guard down for 2-4 minutes, let loose, and have a good time without feeling like they're being condescended. Quite the opposite of the people you perceive them to be. I, along with a lot of people who go, have met tons of new people at KKTC, and then go out with them to other SI events. Some people just don't like karaoke because they're too self-conscious to give into it themselves. Grow up and sing some Weird Al Yankovic with John Annese. Until then, we'll all be enjoying ourselves while everyone else hates on it at home.
ReplyDelete"Grow up and sing some Weird Al Yankovic"
ReplyDeleteI told you KKTC is where irony got skull fucked.
I hear this argument far too often: "It's fun! What's wrong with people having a good time?"
Nothing is wrong with people having a good time but that doesn't mean it's going to be a good time for everyone. Some people want more than fun. Some people want to see something challenging, something creative, something they've never seen before. They want to see something artistically rewarding.
Of course, what is artistically rewarding is entirely subjective but I know karaoke aint art. It's an imitation of art. It's a bunch of goofballs being goofy to popular favorites. It's that's your idea of a good time, bully for you. But it doesn't mean that Mr. SIDump or anyone else has to like it.
Fuck a guy for giving his opinion in own blog.
Would this argument really be made if Staten Island were not the destination? Karaoke is all the fuck over the city. Good for SI, some people want karaoke without going all the way into Manhattan or Brooklyn for it. Who gives a shit about the "outsider" argument. This entry is a little unfair.
ReplyDeleteI actually really enjoy karaoke, but you won't find me at the Cargo on Thursday nights. My problem is that Karaoke Killed the Cat seems less like actual Karaoke and more like a forum and stage for the attention starved. The whole night reads like a spectacle of who can outdo the other singing the SAME songs week after week. Just like everything else on this island, it's tired. Personally I have never encountered "new" people at KKTC, it seems like a regurgitation of the same people you find at Martini Red when their buddies are playing on a Friday night.
ReplyDeleteSour grapes INDEED!
ReplyDeleteWhile I could go on a negative tirade about this post (and some of the comments) I won't. I'm gonna keep it positive.
Karaoke Killed The Cat has managed to fill a bar on Staten Island every Thursday night with people. Hipsters, frat boys, musicians, artists, guidos, me and you all there for the same reason. All there TOGETHER. Karaoke Killed The Cat has managed to integrate us when more often then not we are all segregated into our own sub-groups. We are all there singing, dancing, raging, laughing and enjoying the night TOGETHER. No one is excluded. ALL are welcome.
Maybe you think "karaoke ain't art" but what is an art is the ability to manage a crowd, get them excited and then keep it going ALL NIGHT LONG. The two man show (Chris Goldteeth & Lord Easy) do it with ease (no pun intended). Their job is always challenging (considering they cater to all walks of life), always creative (check out their multimedia karaoke show at Brooklyn Bowl), and they are by far something people haven't seen before. I'm sure when all is said and done they feel artistically rewarded. I sure know I do. And even if we don't, we sure as hell have fun.
PLUS, this show has managed to be sucessful where most people FAIL. They have managed to pull Islanders off Island to their shows and they have Brooklynites coming to their Staten Island shows (even in the friggin blizzard!). THAT IS HUGE!
This duo has mananged to not only make their way into our home but also into our hearts. They are putting on an awesome show and encouraging us to step out of ourselves and not be held down by labels like "hipsters" or "guidos". And yea maybe I've heard Boheimian Rapsody 800 times BUT every time it happens we are ALL singing, dancing, and enjoying ourselves.
It's a shame that something that is so positive and non-judgmental can bring about such wrath. If anything, THAT says something about SI culture.
These guys deserve their stage time at Cargo just as much as any band. If you think otherwise you're part of the problem playing into Staten Island's closed mindedness.
As for me, I'd rather be part of the solution so I'll be at Cargo every Thursday (and every Monday @ Brooklyn Bowl when I can) supporting Karaoke Killed The Cat just like I support ALL my friends doing their thing in NYC.
Remember united we stand, divided we fall.
"PLUS, this show has managed to be sucessful where most people FAIL. They have managed to pull Islanders off Island to their shows and they have Brooklynites coming to their Staten Island shows (even in the friggin blizzard!). THAT IS HUGE!"
ReplyDeleteGena, with all due respect, I think this precisely the problem some people have with KKTC. It's not that people are having a good time. It's that it's biggest thing going on SI right now. More than any band or artist doing their own thing. It's indicative that no one in the community feels that whatever original music we have on SI is anything to get excited about.
Mr. Goldteeth and Mr. Easy are very good at what they do but I wouldn't call them artists. And I wouldn't call what they do or what you described above as art. They're entertainers. "The ability to manage a crowd, get them excited and then keep it going ALL NIGHT LONG." "They cater to all walks of life." Yeah, that's what entertainers do. And that's fine. But it's not really what interests me. And it's not something I'm proud to point to as the zenith of Staten Island culture and/or nightlife.
By the way, I do realize that we could have an eternal debate on what is and isn't art. I'm just stating my opinion. We can agree to disagree.
Paul, I have the "what is art" debate more often then I'd like so yes lets agree to disagree. I do agree that the boys are definitely entertainers which intern makes them a form of artist...but again I'd like to just agree to disagree at this point.
ReplyDeleteAs for KKtC being the biggest thing on SI right now, I will have to disagree with you there. Don't get me wrong, they are big but there are A LOT of big things going on: Grab Ass Comedy, Midevenings with Jay Miller and Second Saturday Artwalk just to name a few.
The community is nothing but excited for these things. MOST of the community is participating in these events if not actually being part of the process. It's great. We are out there doing what we do and supporting each other. I am excited about the things happening on Staten Island and I know a lot of other people are too.
I understand if you don't want to be proud of karaoke. You don't have to be but there are plenty of other things going on, creative, challenging, artistic things, that you SHOULD be proud of. Karaoke is a part of what is happening. We shouldn't demoralize it because it is pulling a large crowd then most bands/original work events. We should be happy about it and encourage those around us to support bands/original work events as much as they support karaoke. BOTH are important. BOTH are part of the same thing. BOTH are working towards the same common goal. Getting people out, getting people to have fun and letting people know that there is a lot of cool stuff happening right in our own backyard.
I know its frustrating and an uphill battle but if we start picking apart things that are successful just because we don't like or enjoy it then that makes us as bad as everyone out there who says nothing happens here and that Staten Island will never catch up the rest of NYC. A lot of us are trying to change the negative stigma Staten Island has attained. This is our home. We are creating things here every day. Most people in the community feel supported and aren't really concerned that Karaoke is pulling a larger crowd then they are. If you've been to Karaoke then you can understand why its pulling large crowds. EVERYONE can do it. It's not the same when it comes to going to watch a band.
Consider Karaoke Killed the Cat a community building event. I have met a lot of new people through it, a lot of people I probably would have never met otherwise and I tell them about my band and about what I'm doing and then those people come and check it all out. It truly is a beautiful thing.
Gena, if that's how you'd like to consider KKTC, then I'm not going argue with you. You've obviously attended it a lot and you've put a lot of thought into it. If you think it's doing good for the SI community, that's great. Still, the pair of times I went was enough to convince me that I never wanted to go again.
ReplyDeleteI've written far too much regarding this post that I didn't even write in the first place and which I don't even necessary agree with all aspects. However, I was glad to read Joe's unpopular opinion. I understand his frustration and I feel it too. I'm sure many others do as well.
So let's not throw him under the bus in the name of "community." Dissent is an important thing. It gives voice to those who are often drowned out. It encourages discourse. If you disagree, it makes you reconsider your stance, possibly reinforcing and better articulating what you already believe. All of which contributes to growth of a "scene" just as much as blind, uncritical support.
Questioning validity and merit makes one consider the concepts of validity and merit. Whereas prior, one might have just been considering as fun way to spend their evening.
"MOST of the community is participating in these events if not actually being part of the process. It's great. We are out there doing what we do and supporting each other. I am excited about the things happening on Staten Island and I know a lot of other people are too."
ReplyDeleteHerein lies part of the problem. There are almost 500,000 people living in Staten Island currently! The microcosm of people who live in the North Shore or around Van Duzer Street clearly are not an accurate representation of the entire island. How self important can you be to assume that that’s the case?
“Karaoke Killed The Cat has managed to integrate us when more often then not we are all segregated into our own sub-groups”
Subgroups of what? Subgroups of the subgroup that is the North Shore “community”? C’mon! The environment at KKTC and at Martini is SO insular that the people within this so-called community can not even see outside their own walls. I know it’s hard to believe but there are actually people in the rest of Staten Island doing creative things with themselves. Just because something gets a mention in the AWE doesn’t mean it represents the opinion of half a million residents. And if it’s considered a success drawing in 100 of your Facebook friends to a night run by and attended by your friends then maybe its time to raise your standards and get the rest of the borough a little interested in what you are doing. Again, maybe this is part of the problem, lowered standards producing subpar “art” and being accepted blindly because it’s produced by a friend.
@Paul Please don't think anyone was trying to throw Joe (or you) under a bus in the name of anything. I think what this blog talks about is pertinent (and generally in good humor) and I enjoy the ability to have a dialogue about things of this nature here.
ReplyDelete@anonymous Nowhere in my statement did I say anything about the North Shore, Van Duzer Street or any other place. "The community" I'm talking about is filled with people from ALL OVER the Island. No one is "assuming self importance". The things happening right now in Staten Island, everything from Art to real estate to harbor clean up, everything is important. It all factors into OUR quality of life. This place is our home and I'll be damned if I'm not going to take it seriously and think that everything that happens here is IMPORTANT.
The "subgroups" I was talking about were the labels being discussed "guidos", "hipsters" "frat boys", etc. No one said anything about shorelines. As for your feelings about Cargo & Martini Red being "insular" I have to disagree with you there. I'm sorry you feel that way. I find Cargo & Martini Red to be 2 of the most inviting places I go to. I always find people having a good time.
It's not hard to believe there are people creating art all over Staten Island because that is exactly what is happening. It's a great thing.
In regard to your definition of success, Karaoke Killed the Cat is successful (in my opinion) because it DOESN'T have 100 of my facebook friends there. Sure me and my friends go there but actually the place is usually filed with students from Wagner College, which is AWESOME! We have 3 major colleges on Staten Island and I am a Wagner alum myself. It's great to see kids getting off campus and checking out what SI has to offer. So what if it's Karaoke?? They love it and it encourages them to come down more often for other things. That is fact. I've been watching it happen for months since KKtC has really taken off.
As for the creation of subpar art, we have already addressed the fact that art is subjective. And our "blind acceptance" of it comes out of our gratitude for each other.
We, as 'Staten Island Hipsters', should all carry our EPI pens everywhere we go! [www.epipen.com] Clearly, some people are deathly allergic to other people having fun. Sad Shit!!
ReplyDeleteIf you're concerned with the attendance records of local events, put the blogspot down for 5 seconds and go help those bars and bands PROMOTE!!
PS: God Damn, it smells like 'Hater' up in here!!
Hey, Sal from Cargo here, weighing in late but just wanted to give my sentiment, as well as state that I would never begrudge Joe or anyone their opinions, which I also respect, but respectfully disagree with. Which is ok!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I believe to say karaoke is prohibiting/limiting/competing against live original music is to say that anything that is NOT live original music is competing against live original music.
What about other nights at Cargo that have proven successful? Trivia, Grab Ass Comedy, Art Walk nights, Beer Club, Movie nights etc? As well as the Round Robin show which is a new night specifically designed to showcase and spotlight original local bands in a new fun way? HECK, what about DJ's playing other people's music? They are all attempts to drive business, bring people together, provide fun, and present options. And this does not just go for Cargo but other great bars including the Red which also has great nights like open film, open mic, Lost Boro party, etc etc and heck all bars all over the island that have any form of entertainment at all.
Also, Cargo has live original music and bands every single friday and saturday as long as scheduling permits. Mind you friday and saturday are/should be the busiest time of the week and be able to draw the largest crowds. Cargo has been around 20 years and has long supported staten island's artistic community, musically and otherwise.
It should also be noted that the band referenced, Pablo, are considered Cargo family and has played Cargo dozens of times and as recently as one month ago. As well as many of the people attending karaoke are musicians in the very indie bands the blog claims to be possibly detracting from, as well as artists from every other medium.
So i do think its unfair to say that one night of the week when a bar that routinely and consistently supports local original music has something different lined up, it posing possible detriment toward the scene itself.
Plus, if you attended enough to give it a chance, you will see its balls to the wall fun with no pretense and a real family type atmosphere.
That doesn't mean you won't see me at cargo and the red other nights supporting the great music and talent SI provides. Or that it will prohibit me from continuing to book local bands every weekend going forward. Hope that helps in some way. And I do agree with everyone who stated that thursday nights has also brought about much networking which ive witnessed first hand being behind the bar. I believe networking is as important a goal as any in an artistic community, so in that way, kktc provides thursdays w an service that cant be bought.
This is coming from someone who has been behind the bar for EVERY show and have been subjected to EVERY song. LOL. Good, bad, ugly. I'm not even sick of it bc no matter what is being sung, people are having fun. And to me, that's most important.
And yes, I've also actually made wonderful new friends through KKTC thursday nights. And to think, I always heard you start losing friends when you become an old man.
Hey, Sal from Cargo here, weighing in late but just wanted to give my sentiment, as well as state that I would never begrudge Joe or anyone their opinions, which I also respect, but respectfully disagree with. Which is ok!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I believe to say karaoke is prohibiting/limiting/competing against live original music is to say that anything that is NOT live original music is competing against live original music.
What about other nights at Cargo that have proven successful? Trivia, Grab Ass Comedy, Art Walk nights, Beer Club, Movie nights etc? As well as the Round Robin show which is a new night specifically designed to showcase and spotlight original local bands in a new fun way? HECK, what about DJ's playing other people's music? They are all attempts to drive business, bring people together, provide fun, and present options. And this does not just go for Cargo but other great bars including the Red which also has great nights like open film, open mic, Lost Boro party, etc etc and heck all bars all over the island that have any form of entertainment at all.
Also, Cargo has live original music and bands every single friday and saturday as long as scheduling permits. Mind you friday and saturday are/should be the busiest time of the week and be able to draw the largest crowds. Cargo has been around 20 years and has long supported staten island's artistic community, musically and otherwise.
It should also be noted that the band referenced, Pablo, are considered Cargo family and has played Cargo dozens of times and as recently as one month ago. As well as many of the people attending karaoke are musicians in the very indie bands the blog claims to be possibly detracting from, as well as artists from every other medium.
So i do think its unfair to say that one night of the week when a bar that routinely and consistently supports local original music has something different lined up, it posing possible detriment toward the scene itself.
Plus, if you attended enough to give it a chance, you will see its balls to the wall fun with no pretense and a real family type atmosphere.
That doesn't mean you won't see me at cargo and the red other nights supporting the great music and talent SI provides. Or that it will prohibit me from continuing to book local bands every weekend going forward. Hope that helps in some way. And I do agree with everyone who stated that thursday nights has also brought about much networking which ive witnessed first hand being behind the bar. I believe networking is as important a goal as any in an artistic community, so in that way, kktc provides thursdays w an service that cant be bought.
This is coming from someone who has been behind the bar for EVERY show and have been subjected to EVERY song. LOL. Good, bad, ugly. I'm not even sick of it bc no matter what is being sung, people are having fun. And to me, that's most important.
And yes, I've also actually made wonderful new friends through KKTC thursday nights. And to think, I always heard you start losing friends when you become an old man.
hey dicks!
ReplyDeletejust kidding.
while i am more than willing to take responsibility for everything printed here, because I already have. the fact is, the ideas and contributions come from a variety of perspectives of people who live on staten island and have a 'controversial' view of this, or that topic. views that are so abhorrent that they are afraid to voice them in the confines of richmond county.
the point is to start a discussion about real things, that are actually important, to people who live here. not to paper over or blindly promote any and everything staten. but also, not to disparage anyone for their opinions or talents.
remaining anonymous is not really the intention, especially when people have direct access to you personal laptop, but the goal there was to direct attention away from one individual. (it's easier to diffuse an argument by attacking the source)
most of this is written in a fictional voice - that's a "fake person" who is struggling to understand the awkward culture of the North Shore.
if anyone reads this regularly, and other cynical blogs like it, has probably figured that out already.
i hope that people take something away from this. i hope it inspires at least some thought and maybe makes this place more tolerable (jk).
but if not, i can just shut the fucking thing down, i can really give two shits.
love you all.
peace motherfuckers!