Week Commencing: 2/8/04
By: Toby L
Come hither,
Oops, no Weekly Editorial last week, sorry.
I have a confession to make. Despite having been fervently against the idea of it for so many years, upon the principle of yearning to maintain objectivity and not getting caught in an ego warzone (some would say that's too late), I recently joined a band. Don't snigger.
Yet for the sake of public safety and indulgence, and also to avoid looking like a Cliff Jones, I will not make reference ever again on rockfeedback to my musical 'rock-god' alter-ego.
But what I learnt from the experience of performing a debut gig last week: music truly is one of the most tangibly diverse and interactive artforms. Like what you hear? Great - enjoy. Feel inspired to have a go yourself? Why the hell not - get up there and make a racket, twatbox.
From being completely consumed and enticed by what you hear, through to your own stabs at making something you also believe in, and others believing in it too, music seems the most ingratiatingly communal and spirited exchange we have.
Whether any good or not, I'd advise anyone with a conscious interest in the art to put their money where their ears are and attempt in earnest to make a musical cacophony in front of fellow appreciators. It could well be the most rewarding thing you ever do, a concerted homage to those that inaugurated the inspiration in you in the first place... It felt like that for me, and for 35 precious minutes on a Friday night in a dive, I'd never felt any closer to music at any other instance in my life than when I was attempting to contribute to it. It can also only heighten your respect of those that actually manage to get anywhere in life through living by their words and sounds... Incredible.
The Issue: Last time around, we raised a cautious eyebrow regarding the perhaps overly reliable stature of this year's Mercury Music Prize nominations-list. Here are your views:
'Oh, rockfeedback, you ridiculous clowns, you talk as if the Mercury Prize was ever a valuable addition to the British music-gongs calendar! Stop the delusion! That a panel of ageing, swelling belly judges dictates the finest records in a given year through way of overly 'open-minded', tokenistic populist vote is proof that the Mercury's are simply a 'safe' cash-cow for the music-industry and a helpful in-store aid to the already-past-it 35-year-olds that don't their Coldplay from their Elbow. Bloody awards.' Adam Foster, Clerkenwell, UK
I sense hostility, Adam.
'Goodness me! What a selection of tip-top bands to choose from for this year's Mercury Prize, with acts ranging from 'Beyonce babe' wannabe Jamelia to
one of many drama school dropouts, Amy Winehouse... (OK: enough sarcasm - Humour Ed). From a fairly wise fan's point of view, I think that Keane are going to confidently hop away blindfolded with this year's Mercury Prize. Simply knowing that 'the music on the album is the only thing the judges discuss,' I am sure with such powerfully strong and meaningful songs and lyrics from 'Hopes and Fears', the judges will make a worthwhile choice. Now I shall hide from my friends who are on The Zutons' website.' Sarah McCafferty, London, UK
Is that phrase, 'the music on the album is the only thing the judges discuss' not slightly nonsensical, though? The whole thing seems so orchestrated and conceitedly pandering to choosing the 'ooh, that was a surprise' winner; the fact that holiday camp tripe like M People won the award back in '95 over Blur's 'Parklife' is testament to the fact that the 'judges' can often be sensationally guilty of choosing an inferior record just for the sake of not wanting to pick 'the obvious one'.
For that reason, Franz Ferdinand should get it in '04: they're the bookies' choice for a reason, and their sublime, million-selling impact represents everything that's healthy, exciting and massive about 'alt'-music right now.
Gigs this week, London: Air are back in town with a two-night residency at two very different, yet no less grand, locales - the Royal Festival Hall and Somerset House (Tues 3rd and Weds 4th; sold out); Badly Drawn Boy similarly graces the former venue for two eves (Fri 6th and Sat 7th; £20:00); Basement Jaxx are at the latter venue previously expressed on Friday (6th; sold out); The Golden Virgins are at the poky Barfly (Wed 4th; £5:00), and that's our recommended must-see this week; M Ward is at the Bush Hall (Sat 7th; £10:00); the sensational Paul The Girl tries a night at the Spitz (Tue 3rd; £5:00); Turin Brakes appear at Somerset House - blimey, another gig there (Thurs 5th; sold out); and Yourcodenameis:milo and Kill Kenada do a one-off at the 93 Feet East (Thurs 5th; £6:00).
The current rockfeedback playlist: predominantly, we're savouring the new album from The Libertines (a proper copy, none of that 'downloaded from the net', new-fangled nonsense), and are slain by its robust heart and haphazard scruffiness.
Look out for an announcement later this week for details of the next Basement Club headliner. It's a good'un.