Coldplay isn’t the first band to release a song specifically for a movie soundtrack, but their decision to do so has sparked controversy.

PRO: There’s nothing wrong with artists seeking money and exposure — they have to eat, right?

With Coldplay releasing a song specifically for the next Hunger Games movie, artists contributing original songs to movie soundtracks has become a hot topic.

We all know the stereotype of starving independent musicians: They struggle to make ends meet while drinking their problems away, pouring internal turmoil into their art and (occasionally) wearing scarves. Stereotypes exist for a reason, and though it’s not a glamorous life, starving artistry is the path many are forced to follow. As you can imagine, this could severely impede an artist’s career.

However, with the arrival of the Internet and sites such as Bandcamp, it is becoming easier for independent artists to record their own music, distribute it to the masses and receive the attention they deserve. No longer are record labels and large corporate studios necessary for a musician to become successful. Because of this change, movie studios are noticing former low-profile artists. They’re asked to contribute songs to movie soundtracks, receiving well-deserved fame and money in the process.

“But wait!” cries the modern hipster, looking through his thick-framed non-prescription glasses and sipping on his black coffee that is totally not from Starbucks. “That’s selling out, and it goes against everything independent artists believe in!” And with that, he damns his favorite artists to a life of obscurity and financial trouble.

The problem is, today, the phrase “selling out” carries a negative connotation, one of betrayal and shallowness. In reality, it should be looked at as a well-earned reward, especially in the case of movie soundtracks. The band you love is finally getting the attention it deserves!

“But wait! The band has to compromise its vision and make what the studio wants to hear!” again moans the modern hipster, straightening his ‘ironic’ mustache. While this is true, in the case of movie soundtracks, the compliance stops after the soundtrack is made. One prevalent movie franchise that frequently features independent artists is the Twilight series. Indie artists such as Lykke Li, Bon Iver, Metric, Grizzly Bear and Florence and the Machine have contributed songs to the Twilight series soundtracks.

However, after the ordeal, each band went back to making its own music. None of their future songs or albums were influenced by Twilight. Their single static moments of “selling out” just led to more resources to continue following their artistic visions. Grizzly Bear went on to release Shields, an extremely sprawling, adventurous album that one-upped all of the band’s previous work. Lykke Li released Wounded Rhymes afterward, a dark hypnotic indie-pop album that was even more personal than her debut. Without the money and attention gained from dabbling in mainstream cinema, these artists may not have been able to create such expansive works.

“But wait!” objects the modern hipster, while violently moving his typewriter aside. “If everyone knows about these bands, how am I going to impress people with my obscure musical tastes?”

Unfortunately, I have no rebuttal to this argument. Check and mate. Perhaps selling out is detrimental to music after all.

—Cory Blair

CON: Being popular isn’t bad, but changing your style to be popular is.

I have a dilemma. I’m not a cynical person. I don’t walk around considering every smiling McDonald’s ad corporate filth, cursing The Man and waiting for The End. Yet, in spite of myself — and my favorite band — I must make my dilemma known.

Indie music is getting big in the worst way possible: via cookie-cutter movie soundtrack singles. And before you roll your eyes, don’t. This isn’t another preachy “woe-is-the-hipster” article written on a typewriter to a weepy selection of Bon Iver. Good music becoming popular isn’t the issue; good artists sacrificing their integrity to gain more popularity is.

Let’s take Coldplay, for instance. Love them or hate them — and I love them — you have to admit they did something special. They built themselves up from anonymity, a small band, then called Starfish, playing in night clubs, to a seven-time Grammy-winning musical powerhouse — all without any fragrances or clothing lines, might I add. On Friday, the band released “Atlas,” a single for the new Hunger Games movie, Catching Fire. The song itself isn’t terrible. It’s simple, typical Parachutes-era Coldplay. A piano melody floats under lead singer Chris Martin’s airy lyrics, with little variation except for a pseudo-inspirational build in which he urges us to “Carry your world, and all your hurt.” Whatever that means.

And there, my friends, lies the problem. Aside from a few quaint, little platitudes and encouragement for Hunger Games heroine Miss Katniss Everdeen, the song lacks any true value or substance.

Long gone are the iconic days of John Lennon’s “Imagine” or U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” when songs represented a movement, a struggle, humanity in protest or peace or pain. Among the shiny pop debris, the resurrection of such ideas lies with independent and alternative artists. Yet, now it seems instant gratification is more important than inspiration, money more important than moments. I mean, why enjoy success the satisfying way when you could slap together some schmaltzy, schmoozy ballad for the new James Bond movie? I’m looking at you, Adele.

So what’s an independent artist to do? Beg on the sidewalks outside of secondhand stores and organic Kenyan coffee shops? Get his corduroy pants dirty at a “real job?” No. Popularity isn’t a condemnable desire. Promoting variety and interest through movies is actually a clever, even laudable, pursuit. Instead of endorsing new, yet shoddy work, perhaps foster support for current material. Iron and Wine did it in 2008 with its song “Flightless Bird, American Mouth.” The song landed on the Twilight soundtrack the same year. Jack White did the same by covering U2’s “Love Is Blindness” originally on his 2012 album Blunderbuss, later on The Great Gatsby soundtrack. No compromise. No sell-out.

Discovering new talent isn’t a bad thing. I personally love to hear Passion Pit backing up every cell phone and taco commercial known to man. Everyone, myself included, could use more culture. However, when artists exploit talent and tailor it to the needs of the mainstream machine, instead of trying to infuse their minority into majority, is when the very meaning of music begins to diminish.

—Danielle Ohl