Do you remember Dan Rather’s emotional report on the break-up of the Smiths? Or Walter Cronkite’s award-winning special about the making of Pavement’s Slanted and Enchanted? Or Tom Brokaw interrupting scheduled broadcasting to hail the Libertines as "the most rockingest band I’ve seen since early Jesus and Mary Chain"?
No, of course you don’t. That’s because network anchors have mostly declined to involve themselves in the arena of indie-rock (except, of course, for the notorious "embedding" of Katie Couric into the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Only joking, I made that one up as well.) What I didn’t make up is that NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams has a new web series called, somewhat unfortunately, Bri Tunes, which according to Williams will feature "great music being created every day, by talented musicians who wouldn’t dream of doing anything else." On the first episode of Bri Tunes (really? BRI TUNES?) he interviews Providence, Rhode Island, outfit Deer Tick. You can see this unlikely confab below. Suffice it to say that while the Music Mix congratulates Williams on his support of such a non-mainstream act, we could have come up with some more exciting questions than "What have iTunes done for Deer Tick?" (Mr Williams, give us a call if you want a few tips. We’ve also got some awesome queries you can put to Tim Geithner about his economic plans).
But what do you think about Williams’ new venture? And who would you like to see him interview on Bri Tunes? And should he change that name to The World in Rock with Brian will.i.ams?
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More from EW’s Music Mix:
Prom Songs: Let’s all sway together uncomfortably and reflect
Nick Cannon calls out Eminem for insulting Mariah Carey: Pick a side!
White Stripes’ reunion "won’t be too far off"
Trent Reznor to Prince, Rivers Cuomo: your new music blows
It’s Geithner, not Geitner. And what exactly has EW done to promote indie bands? Your house is completely made of glass – put the stone down.
Tim Geithner
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