Does an artist's social, political, or moral slant make you dislike them?

I'd agree with this.
I used to think that if I loved someone's music, or paintings, for example, that was all that mattered.
I've come to realise that if an artist chooses to make public political or religious statements, or whatever, I have to factor that into how I feel about them.
Sometimes I've been happy about this, sometimes not.

Prime example: Rock stars who do everything they can to avoid paying taxes while preaching to their government and the world about social responsibility quickly lose any respect I have for them, and I will stop listening to their music.

 

Doesn’t really bother me, I’m just happy we live in a county that holds freedom of speech in such high regard. I’ve watched comedians who I find to be the polar opposite of me attack a person who I agree with and I still laugh at it. I don’t agree or disagree with anyone 100% of the time, even my past self. I’ve heard that you don’t ever want to meet your hero, you’ll probably end up not liking them. One exception, I’ve met Stuart Spector on several occasion, and he’s is one very cool guy. I don’t have a problem with anyone expressing their views, I’m adult enough to respectfully disagree or ignore them. I know I’m not alone, one previous band I was in had two conservatives and two liberals, and we disagreed on pretty much every political position. The band lasted nine years and we’re all still good friends. I think I’d be bored to be surrounded by people who completely agree with me. I like having my values tested, everyone needs to reflect periodically.

 

I read Clapton's autobiography and now he's an instant channel change. Seemed proud of stepping on the little people, and not just on the way up.

 

That's a fair point @Spent makes about freedom of speech...
I'm more thinking about blatant hypocrisy, or racism...things which are inherently wrong rather than a mere question of opinion.

 

I don't mind satire but when they get downright nasty..

 

I’ve yet to meet someone who does not display hypocrisy, but I get what you mean. I guess I feel more disappointed than hostility towards people who are extreme hypocrites. Either way, if I like someone’s music or humor, that’s pretty much all I care about. I don’t have the time or energy to maintain a blacklist. That being said, there is one musician who I find so revolting that I won’t listen to the music (yeah, I’m comfortable with my hypocrisy). It’s not a great sacrifice, I never really cared for it. Now racism (or sexism, etc.) is a different story. I don’t consider that a political position (not sure anyone would). Causing actual harm to another person (or animals for that matter) is an instant write off for me.

 

Isn't their lyrics their position?

 

It depends on how much they dump out into the world. I think music has a lot of politics mixed up with it, but don't preach to me. Bring something to my attention and then move on.
Of course it is always easier to forgive these things when you agree. That's human nature. However, it is also tiresome how much everyone is looking to jab their thumbs into their fellow human's eye these days. You can say something political without being a jerk.

 

Yes. Unfortunately when I hear something really crazy out of someone's mouth it makes it it hard to enjoy the art that I previously enjoyed from them, musicians, actors, etc. It has to be REALLY good to ignore it, and it's still hard for me.

 

Yep. Tom Cruise for one.

Not going into details here...but now I'll never watch anything he's in ever again.

Same goes for John Travolta. Never liked him much to start with. But since I found out a few things about him, that sealed the deal. He's on my "ignore" list now.

 

Frankly, I could do without people mixing politics with anything else in today's volatile political climate. It has turned patently hateful and offensive in both directions. I don't even want to hear people who share views I agree with mixing their political views into completely unrelated endeavors.

It used to be considered uncouth to discuss or display politics in other contexts. There are some very good reasons for that. I miss those days.

Even if you are 100% correct, you still run the risk of alienating half your audience. Look at how much more often it confuses, divides, and angers than does any good.

For a perfect example of keeping a lid on it, look no further than TB rules. I respect that.

 

Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down.

Jimmy Durante

 

Honestly, it turns me off when they express any opinion whatsoever regarding the issues of the day....even if they agree with me.

1) What makes you an expert?
2) I use music to GET AWAY from the issues of the day.
3) As the OP stated, why would you be idiot enough to possibly alienate half of your potential customers?

 

I just don't get it. Whenever I see a bumper sticker for any politician or political party, I figure at least a quarter of the people who see it think the person in the car is wrong, or a fool. I have a sticker in my window that says "BASS" (from Gollihur). My friends think it is about fish

 

I've found that (with a very few exceptions) the less I know about a particular artist, the more I like their work. I'm not put off by their politics so much as I'm turned off by their personalities.

It is a shame though that political discussion has become taboo in so many circles. In the past, political discussion and debate was what intelligent and educated people did. Today, people value their personal comfort zone far more than dealing with issues, so it was bound to eventually come around the way it has today. Folks don't want to hear what they don't want to know. And those that pull the strings are counting on the general populace to be cooperative and complacent - and keep their opinions to themselves. It was a brilliant bit of social engineering they pulled off when they got many people to begin seeing their constitutional and historic right to dissent as a form of treason.

So it goes.

 

I agree with that and understand completely where you're coming from.

Some things need to be said though and if a songwriter can say it without flirting with the social justice warrior thing, I can kind of dig the honesty.

 

If a band/artist always had a political over tone it doesn't bother me nearly as much as a sudden jump into the current political fray. To me it comes across as opportunism and/or desperation to stay relevent.

 

I was raised to treat others the way I want to be treated. Being from a long line of military veterans, an essential part of my upbringing was always being reminded that we were blessed to be living in America where everyone is entitled to their opinion and learned how to disagree with someone while respecting their point of view-- even if it was counter to my beliefs. So, when I hear an artist talk about their political point of view it doesn't bother me one bit. Enjoying the music of an artist with whom I disagree is significant common ground; after all, looking for common ground is a foundational part of getting along with others.

HOWEVER, if they begin expecting everyone else to think the way they do, become nasty and bully others, that's when it starts to sour me on their music. Mainly because those are the kind of people I try to avoid, and as an extension that can lead to me avoiding their music-- thankfully I can count on one hand the number of artists who fall into that category.

It seems fewer people today have been raised by "the golden rule," and coupled with the fact that nearly everything has become politicized and so many people have become hyper-sensitive that I'm not surprised when people boycott certain artists. It's a shame really. I just pray that the Thought Police fail at their attempt to become the ruling authority of a global society... Hmmmm there might be a concept album there...

 

Just because someone is rich or famous or talented in one way does not mean their opinions on other matters count for anything. I treat them like anyone else - when they say or do something repugnant to me, I stop listening to them. I am more offended when their opinions are given more weight simply because they are famous.