emily hopkins
patreon
Addressing all the drama
🕑 Added 2025-03-20 16:24:11 +0000 UTCHey everyone! I think it's really important for me to write up a response to some of the things that have been happening since I posted my last YouTube video on Thursday. If you haven't seen this video, it's a similar concept to the video I did back in October, where Russ buys a bunch of products that I originally said "no" to sponsoring when they reached out, and instead he surprises me with them and asks me to rate them on a tier list. This is the second video in the series. In the first one, we reviewed 6 different items, ranging from A-D tiers. In the latest video, the final tiers ranged from B-D, and we reviewed 3 different items, which were:
1. Chaos Audio - Stratus (D)
2. FlexiSpot Desk (B)
3. Harp-E (C)
The brands seem to be pretty upset that my honest reviews were not too favorable, but I felt the need to make this post after seeing a post from someone who used to make pedal demos.
BUT FIRST LETS TALK ABOUT SOME FUN POSITIVE STUFF!! Things I've really been enjoying lately include:
R.E.P.O & Elden Ring - these are my go-to games to play during the YouTube Membership gaming streams, although sometimes I do change it up by playing Grow Home and Peglin. I also HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest checking out Crypt of the Necrodancer, as I have logged over 200+ hours in it, and it's currently on sale for 80% off -- only $2.99!
Lithography - I was fortunate enough to take a lithography class for my Artist Residency at the Pollock-Krasner House and study the process of putting imagery onto stone!! I'll be hosting a lithography workshop in a few weeks where students can bring in their favorite pieces of sheet music, and I'll be incorporating their music into 50 limited edition art prints using lithography. I had never even really heard of lithography before researching Stones by Frank O'Hara and Larry Rivers (which is my thesis project!) and I'm really grateful to be learning so much, especially in this hands-on way.
Swedish Princess Cake from this bakery in East Northport, NY - I was walking around a few weeks ago and I happened upon this AMAZING bakery called Copenhagen Bakery & Cafe where they sell something called a "princess cake" -- I don't know if East Northport is a big touristy place or not, but if you're in the market for the best tasting cake in the world, this is a great place for it!!
(small cake)
OK... now onto the "drama". Here's the screenshot.
I want to clarify that I did not buy these products with the INTENTION of giving them a bad review -- in fact, as you probably already know, Russ bought these products for me as a surprise. And as you also probably already know, nothing gets thrown in the garbage (I'm genuinely so confused as to why she thought that). I think this post hurts me more than others because it was written by a fellow woman who used to be in the music tech space, and someone who I truly considered a good friend back in the day. We would chat about pedal demo work and confide in each other about the difficulties of being a creator online. Nothing bad ever happened; we just haven't spoken in a while, and I was shocked to see how she really felt about me.
My negativity in the video was honest, but I wanted everyone to laugh with me about how sassy I was feeling. I understand why Harp-E would be upset at me saying it's a "shitty, DIY Ikea harp," and why Chaos Audio might feel upset at me saying "hot piece of traesh" but I don't think any of it warranted some of the reactions I've been getting (or strongly worded emails....!)
I will say that Chaos Audio has been handling this in the most mature and respectful way possible. They made a response video to me, and it's one of the nicest response videos I've seen. I'm very excited for our debate today, as the CEO Landon has never once insulted me or said anything out of anger, despite my feelings about his pedal. The debate starts at 7:00PM EST tonight, and I'm including a link here for those of you who have questions or want to watch us chat about the Stratus pedal. I'll be playing harp through the Stratus pedal in the background while I chat, so we can really hear what it truly does and have a hands-on experience.
I'm about to post a short video about my mistake for not realizing the Harp-E was "Unfinished". They made a big point about me being incorrect, and so I want to do everything I can to fix it. They emailed me and one of the things they said was: You chose the wrong kit and decided to misinform your thousands of followers. And seriously damage, if not kill a small business in the process.
I didn't "decide" to do anything intentionally, so given that they think that, I'm posting that video within the next 20 minutes or so to clarify that Russ bought the unfinished version. Although, I gotta say..... even with that being the case, it doesn't help the Harp-E's case given that it's STILL $900+ $100 shipping.
Anyway, I think that's everything so far. I'll keep you posted with any updates, but the most important thing to me is MY AUDIENCE. I don't like upsetting anybody, but I do like giving my audience a genuine, honest experience alongside me. I'm not acting, and I'm not putting on a character. My reactions and thoughts were 100% genuine, Long-Island sassiness, and being that most of my videos are about showcasing cool music tech from mostly small businesses / independent builders, I feel like sometimes, that's okay (at least I think it should be okay).
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far; thank you for reading β‘
Comments
Tyrion Lannister
Eggs & bacon walk into a restaurant, but the waiter says "We don't serve breakfast."
Ryan H
"...for $900 bucks that thing better be awesome ... which it was not. " Oh man, I wish that were true. If you know of any electroacoustic harps, heck any harp at all, that's awesome at the US$900-1,600, let me know! Harps are really expensive. Harpsicles (which I've played, and cannot say I like the sound of) are US$580. Alternatively, there are the cheap Roosebeck/Pakistani harps that more often than not self-destruct. I think the closest comparison that I can think of is a fully levered Dusty Strings Ravenna 26 with a pickup, which is a bit over US$2,100.
Joe Simes
Oh come on that was one of the funnest videos ever. I honestly laugh my ass off watching your videos in the best way possible. Being honest and being funny is something I hope never changes on your channel! So Landon from the Stratus pedal video reminds me of a lot of people I work with. I'm a software developer but I studied fine art in college. I write code so I can buy guitars and pedals! :D Anyway he reminds me of an overly pedantic software developer that doesn't like that customers don't like the unusable code/product that he has created. No one will be more qualified to use his product than you Emily and him saying you got it wrong means HE did not describe the product and how it works well enough to make you understand. I hate programmers that criticize users for not being able to figure out how to use an overly complicated product. I shouldn't have to be a Software developer to use a friggin' guitar pedal. And if your product comes with a bunch of "free" plugins of whatever then that should be the biggest thing in the instructions, noit a link to purchase the plugin that you supposedly already own. The Harp-E thing ... you got the unfinished one. What does that even mean? Why were they selling something that wasn't finished? And to be honest for $900 bucks that thing better be awesome ... which it was not. As far as the other content creator giving you shit about giving things bad reviews that is bizarre. I mean the products were shit what are you supposed to do lie to not hurt peoples feelings? I mean honestly the Harp-E folks should be thanking you for your review to save them all of the development costs of a product most people are going to think is shit. If that Harp-E thing cost $200 then I would say it was a fun toy like thing but not a real playable harp. But really $900 or $1,600 assembled means that thing better be awesome. Maybe they will change their pricing. π€·π»ββοΈ
