Auctioning off a pair of used shoes on eBay and donating the proceeds to charity represents a gesture that blends goofball with heart. It also reflects the kind of quirk that comes from the mind of Mac DeMarco.
The original listing for the autographed, sweat-stained apple-red Vans posted Dec. 29. It read: “Will anyone buy an old stinky pair of shoes? I don’t know. If you’re one of those kids who tried to take them off my feet while I was crowd-surfing at some point this year, nice try jackass. But hey, here’s another opportunity for you to have them.”
DeMarco’s developed a big enough fanbase that selling his used shoes isn’t that far-fetched. The indie rocker’s 2012 full-length debut 2 scored widespread acclaim. The endearing slacker’s 2014 Salad Days is even better with the poppy, guitar-chilled “Stars Keep Calling My Name” and charming indie rock quasi-ballad “Treat Her Better.” Just last week, DeMarco plugged Salad Days on national TV when he delivered a hypnotic performance of “Let Her Go” on “Conan.”
The Canadian’s prose enjoys infectious Kurt Cobain simplicity. DeMarco’s generosity is equally infectious: He promised the shoe money to Brooklyn’s Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, a nonprofit that empowers women through rock and roll. When the auction closed on Jan. 4, the whopping $21,100-winning bid (a total of 168 bids) made international news. Only it was too good to be true. The winning bidder retracted their bid.
According to DeMarco’s reps, the gap-tooth rocker and the shoe company Vans teamed up to match the $21,100-winning bid so Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls wouldn’t be left hanging. Now the self-labeled Pepperoni Playboy appears hesitant to auction off, say, his T-shirt or a tubesock.
“I’m over it at this point,” he says. “I’d rather donate directly if I find something I can get behind, or go volunteer.”
Mac DeMarco 7:30pm (6:30pm doors) Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15. Loma Vista Gardens, 47540 Highway 1, Big Sur. $55. www.folkyeah.com(These shows and all other Folkyeah concerts at Loma Vista benefit the Big Sur Education Council.)
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.