The Tribute Cover – As It Happens

“For decades, rock bands have acknowledged their influences by reinterpreting the old guys’ songs. It was a kind of Oedipal tribute: honor thy forebears by reinventing them. Our post-postmodern era of mash-ups, music blogs, file sharing and near-instantaneous distribution, however, has given rise to a new phenomenon: a certain species of indie bands is covering their peers’ brand-new songs – in those first heady days of release when the songs seem to be playing in every cafe and club, or even earlier, before they’ve made an impression at all.”