Last week I was feeling a bit sluggish so haven’t been touring the media hinterlands as I would have liked. Having said that there are still a few things to share. Obviously the football season is upon us now so all pretence at being an edgy and artistic young buck are out of the window in favour of the daft fervour that comes with hugging overweight men in pubs and swearing at talented strangers. This is of course not to pour scorn on the idea that football has its own artistic and creative heart.Anyone who had the pleasure to watch big Jan Molby drop a shoulder in the late eighties knows that the beautiful game has the potential to rival ballet for physical poetry (Ninjinsky with an eating disorder.) Sadly these days what with Wayne Rooney’s face it’s easy to forget that there is such a thing as footballing grace.
To remind ourselves of some of the reasons why we love football in spite of its occasional crassness read a bit about Walter Tull (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Tull) and Bert Trautman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Trautmann) and try listening to any Half Man Half Biscuit records. These “four boys who shook the Wirral” help to illustrate clearly that some of the best football and the most dedicated supporters operate away from the glare of the premiership. On a personal note: Become Tranmere Rovers fans immediately. We need you and will make you all very welcome.
Mmmm I can taste the hotdogs and hear the singing just looking at this picture. TRFC forever!!!!
4.What a difference a day makes. My two teams both drew over the weekend and instantly the lustre has gone from the football season. Not even glorious defeats to stir the soul. So let’s get back to those things that are immune to mediocrity: Music, art and drinking until the pavement bites us in the forehead.
It’s very easy to talk about the natural beauty of life and how diluting this simple poetry with drink and degeneracy is an affront to the innate perfection of the universe. Having said that, after a couple of boxes of wine even the dogshit in the gutter begins to look like an ergonomically designed pillow. How can anything be wrong with that? Obviously most things are wrong with that. For example it’s very difficult to remember to close your eyes (and thus avoid blindness) when using excreta to cradle your ravaged bonce.
Enough about my lifestyle! Through the wonders of facebook I have become aware of an old school pals efforts to breathe some arty life in to Liverpool. This is happening right now so if you find yourself up north swing by: http://www.catalystmedia.org.uk/nervecentre/whats_on.php It looks great and is exactly the sort of thing we all should be doing all the time. Gosh darn super groovy.
Thinking about the old country is making me wistful for the accents and attitudes of the North. Here’s Tony Harrison:
Young, innocent and full of energy. Well, maybe not that innocent. But the young Rye Rye certainly knows how to entertain. The 18 year old singer, rapper and song writer from Baltimore is currently finishing her first album, describing her style as “unique and hard hitting”. Rye Rye has already toured with M.I.A and appeared on a remix of their track Paper Planes, the well known single from the film Slumdog Millionaire.
This video comes courtesy of coolhunting and features the young Rye Rye talking about how she started out and where she gets her inspiration from.
I love this song. It’s as simple as that. When I’m feeling down, flat, miserable or just out of sorts, I can’t think of a better song to raise my spirits. I found this video while poking around on youtube this morning, as you do, and it’s a lovely change to the official Viva la Vida video clip. Set to a series of five paintings by the artist Thomas Cole, it is entitled ‘The Course of Empire’. Coldplay’s lyrics combined with these stirring images make for a reel kick start to the day. Take a look!
This track is a great example of Thievery Corporation’s eclectic musical style. Based in Washington, D.C, the recording artist and DJ duo consisting of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton have forged a reputation for producing some of the funkiest and coolest alternative music around. With a wide range of influences, their musical styles incorporate dub, acid jazz, reggae, Indian, Middle Eastern and the silky smoothness of Brazil’s bosa nova. Facing East, from the album The Richest Man in Babylon, is definitely up there as one of my favourites; exotic, seductive and downright sexy. Have a listen!
I heard this song on the radio the other day, and even though I’d never owned a copy or listened to it on a regular basis, I knew immediately who it was: “Creedence Clearwater Revival!” I said. CCR was such a rock icon during the late 60’s and 70’s in the States and really embodied the spirit of Woodstock and the Anti-Vietnam War campaigners. This is such a quality song and just makes you feel so damn good. This video clip is a cracker too with some pretty cool effects. If you’re feeling a little down then a listen to this will raise your spirits!
Forget BBC1. When it comes to summer tunes you can’t go past itunes radio and Ibiza Sonica. A constant stream of smooth, funky chill-out to get you in the mood for summer. To connect just open your itunes, click on radio and choose the electronic list. Then scroll down to Ibiza Sonica and start listening. The latest club tracks and beach chill-out are exactly what you need for your summer playlist. You can also go to their webpage and connect to the live streaming as well. Check it out.
I first saw this video clip whilst I was on holiday in Spain. It was part of a short-film festival that also happened to include some music videos. It’s a fantastic song with some great images all jumbled together that make it quite an emotional and feel-good experience.
Beirut are an American group whose music combines elements of Eastern European, folk and Western pop music. “Postcards from Italy” is from their first album “Gulag Orkestar” and having listened to quite a few of their other songs, I would have to say it’s my favourite. One to add to the summer playlist!
No not the charming English countryside but the Swedish Pop-Rock group. Kent are relatively unknown outside Scandinavia where they have enjoyed huge success and popularity, but with only one album in English they have found it difficult to corner the British and US markets. Shame really because they are genuinely very good.
This song Quiet Heart is one of my favourites from the album Hagnesta Hill. If you’re a fan of groups like Keane and Coldplay you’re bound to like Kent.
Ten points for cool and originality I say! Actor and MC Mos Def has released his new album The Ecstatic in the form of a t-shirt. The album cover is featured on the front of the t-shirt, the playlist and track listing on the back, and an individual download code on the hang tag. Definitely an interesting and thoughtful concept. Let’s see if it sells!
Available from the 7th of July, it will set you back $40 dollars and can be purchased from Downtown music. The album itself is described as catchy, with funky beats and clever word play. I just hope the t-shirt fits.
This film is without doubt one of my all time favourites. A day in the life of three French youths just trying to get by. They live in a tough world of violence, police brutality, boredom and have little or no opportunity of escape or the chance of a future.
This clip features the French Hip Hop artist Cut Killer and is a fantastic example of this style of music at its best. Cut Killer combines Edith Piaf’s Je Ne Regrette Rien, Notorious B.I.G.’s Machine Gun Funk and KRS-One’s Sound of Da Police.
A seriously cool combination of visual images and music.
