About moi

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I'm awful at updating blogs; as I am typing and spelling... I'm a flautist and dabble in some guitar, piano and singing. I also have an interest in writing and history (nerd I am not). Marmite lover and synesthete; owner of two cats and a goldfish. Don't like planes much and I find octopuses (or is that octopi?) pretty creepy. I'm allergic to peanuts.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

MUSIC BLOG

Right, I've started another blog on tumblr, a music themed blog though. Here's a link: http://thatmusicblogssej.tumblr.com/ so check it out, but still keep an eye on here because I'll put up general shizzle of everything :P
x

Monday 17 January 2011

IS THE MUSIC BEGINNING TO FADE?


 IS THE MUSIC BEGINNING TO FADE?
January 2011

With HMV set to close 60 of its store over the course of this year, the British high streets are on their way to becoming void of music and entertainment out lets altogether.

To hear that an independent record shop has had to close its doors to its dedicated indie shoppers would not come as a shock to the casual music fan. The competition of high street chains with their expansive choice, two for £10 offers and up to date releases, mixed with the rocky economic climate, makes it easy to see how a small stockist can fall into problems. Surly stores such as HMV and Zavvi should have benefitted from this?  But in 2009, Zavvi (formally Virgin Megastore until sold) fell into liquidation, closing all its UK branches. Now, after 2010 Christmas profits fell by over 10% compared to previous years, HMV are closing 60 stores nationwide, including 20 of its Waterstones branches.  The high street availability of entertainment, especially music, is fading away.
Obviously, we cannot blame the disappearance of physical music solely on the state of the economy. For example: everyone’s had that experience where a new kid arrives in your class, and this kid is coolness personified, I mean totally cool, like a brilliant footballer, or has the latest designs in fashions; and suddenly, that friend of yours, who changes her Best Friend Forever more times than her socks, doesn’t want to know you anymore.  And that cool kid is called DOWNLOAD, iTunes Download. With the extensive downloading of music that has appeared, there is little need to visit your nearest record store. Fair enough, an exchange of moneys till takes place, with artists and record companies benefiting from a profit of some kind, but there is also the factor of illegal downloading, and free downloading (although often the case is these tracks are unavailable anywhere else, demos or remixes).
Ok, even I will admit I have made friends with download, occasionally purchasing the odd exclusively available track, or something for Music Tech. coursework via iTunes, but a whole album? Not when you could easily buy a cased copy of the track, with artwork, lyrics and the personal thank yous of the artist for almost the same price. The purchasing of music should be a pleasure for all senses. The artwork is there to represent the music inside, to enhance the emotions presented to us by the musician, and vice a versa. I find nothing more relaxing than lying in the garden, with the good old personal CD player, headphones on, examining and appreciating both the music and artwork. Or similarly full volume on the stereo. It’s the same with vinyl and tape. It’s touchable, lick it if you wish, smell it (one of Katy Perry’s albums apparently smells of candyfloss, now download that!); and you’re safe in the knowledge that a computer virus cannot wipe its existence from your possession. I guess it is a similar experience for book lovers. The physical album, extended play and single, to me, is such a precious object. To replace it simply with invisible digital technology is to simply just say music is only a sound bite in the air. I believe taking away its physicality is to take away the physical quality of it as a possession.
It worries me to see such a decline in the physical entertainment industry. Small, independent labels rely on the retail of HMV and the like for bulk purchase of their releases. Unlike an independent store, high street chains do not send back unsold copies. Without such stores, the independent labels would pretty much financially collapse and cease to exist in the big label, Simon Cowell drivel driven popular music industry of today. Let’s not also forget the album artists, designers, manufacturers, distributers... so much lies on the record industry, and has done since the mass marketing of the wax cylinder back in the late 1800s.
Occasionally I will purchase an album through an internet store such as Play.com and Amazon and eagerly await its arrival through my letter box. Nevertheless, a regular visit, browse and purchase in HMV is nothing less than enjoyable and a chance to discover new or old albums you have yet to add to your collection. To let that die would be a loss to music lovers, industry and artists themselves. And why? Because the physical possession of music is no longer appreciated as it once was. I do not look forward to the day when I am no longer able to wonder into the nearest music outlet, and browse through extensive collections of music, independent or mainstream, until I am content in a world where I can truly feel the music which surrounds me.

Jessica Sadler

*Thing* of the day... Today is "Blue Monday". So how does it feel?

 Today is "Blue Monday". So how does it feel?


Apparently today, Monday 17th January, is meant to be the depressing day of the year according to the following formula  -> (W + (D-d) x TQ) / (MxNA)... (W=weather, D=debt, d=monthly salary, T=time since xmas, Q=time since trying to quit bad habit, M=motivational levels and NA=need to take action). Therefore today is apparently "Blue Monday".
I'm not sure about everyone else, but I've found today pretty good... hmmm...
To cheer up the blues battered British, two heated "Happy Bubbles", filled with space hoppers and free massages, have been in London's Finsbury Avenue Square. Now that sounds like my type of spa. 


To me, "Blue Monday" is one of my favourite songs. Released in 1983 by the Joy Division reincarnation  New Order, it is one of the most important synth tracks of all time, bridging the gap between the post-punk sound of the late 1970s and the fresh 80s synthpop and disco; not to mention an iconic indie dance floor filler. Notably it was also one of the first tracks to be performed live (and not mimed) on Top Of The Pops (although the performance turned out to be poor due to technical problems). Its stand out kick drum intro, with its throbbing sythn and bass guitar bass line makes the over 7 minute track hooky (yes, I made a joke) and so memorable that you end up in some kind of blue trance which you'll have tapping out for days.


Here is a full '83 live version... Enjoy it, I order you (pun No. 3). 
(Kylie fans: please see video at the bottom)






Monday 10 January 2011

*Thing* of the day... Sport just got a little more interesting.

Sport just got a little more interesting...

Now, I am no sports expert. I did P.E. in high school and actually quite enjoyed it (accept for gym - I cannot do a roly-poly to save my life - and athletics), especially cross country believe it or not (13th three years running ;) ), but that doesn't mean I actually know anything about it! But what I do know is a) the off-side rule, b) how to play FIFA 09 and c) kinda how cricket works... Therefore, I feel I am at least qualified to suggest that following sportsmen are of an attractive nature in the world of sport:
 Attractive sportsman number 1: Footballer, Simon Lappin.

Steven Finn Image 1 Attractive sportsman number 2: Cricketer, Steven Finn.

That is all.

Wednesday 5 January 2011

*Thing* of the day... I want Matilda's magic powers.

The Magic Of Roald Dahl - Matilda.


God knows how many times I read Roald Dahl's Matilda when I was younger. In fact, I was a bit of a Roald Dahl obsessive; they must have been the only books I ever read. Matilda was by far my favourite, I even had the film on VCR. Remember them?! However, the more I read and watched it, the more jealous I became of Matilda's ability to move objects without touching them. And I still am to be honest. Not only would it be totally cool to be able to just move stuff just by looking at it, it would make me mega popular and save a lot of time and effort... Ok, maybe not popular - probably a medical case. But even so, if I could have any super/magical power, I would so have that.




Now Dahl's classic story has been adapted into a musical, being performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company . What makes it even cooler is that Tim Minchin - yes, TIM FUCKING MINCHIN! - has written the music and lyrics. Just plain awesome.   http://www.matildamusical.com/#/behind_the_scenes/watch_videos/video_8/

Saturday 1 January 2011

*Thing* of the day... Ready for this? It's Tim Minchin!

I've always thought Mr Minchin's musical expressions of, well, pretty much anything and everything, from boobies to canvas bags, were pretty good. I think he is a good comedian and was quiet impressed by his presenting skills on Buzzcocks the other week. But I've never been too worried about him.  

Then this Christmas, Father Christmas left me a gift (as he does). A gift of discovery, of wonder, of pure effing brilliance. It was Tim Minchin's live dvd - Ready For This? and now I think I am in love...

Therefore I am now following him on twitter like a MCR obsessed 13 year old girl.