Monday, August 6, 2012

KNOCKING THE ROOF OFF THE GAME

So it’s Monday night. Strange one isn’t it, always feels like a bit of a none-entity to me. Right now I’m just at my folks’ flat, listening to some tunes. Before I get in to reviewing some new tracks from underground artists I’d like just to consider where contemporary music and musicians are in this changing technological and economic environment.

Today I took a long walk around North West London and strolled by a world-renowned music landmark. Skipping past the strange conglomeration of posh flats, estate agents and fancy bistros alongside council estates as you go from West Hampstead towards Marylebone, I walked down Abbey Rd. Along the way I was thinking amongst other things about how on earth musicians are supposed to make a living (yes, that means earning money I’m afraid) from their craft these days. Just last night I played at a Stroke Your Beard night in Kilburn that showcased an interesting array of artists and was an all-round good time. However, I couldn’t help thinking that AT BEST the costs of the night had been covered, and there certainly wasn’t enough to pay the thirteen or so musicians that took part.

I wasn’t feeling down or sorry for myself about this fact, but I couldn’t help but ruminate upon it. As I strolled passed the ultra-famous zebra crossing opposite Abbey Rd studios however, I felt a strange feeling in my stomach. Sure, The Beatles were a great and innovative band, but think about how much money they have made over the years from their previous shows and recordings. Millions upon millions. Now, the capitalist theorist would say that that is simply because the market has shown that they were the best and have been rewarded accordingly. Here I beg to differ. You can’t make money without a product, in this case a physical record, which no longer really exists. We all know now how the record industry is effectively redundant, and in particular how new bands are simply not going to make a mint from c.d. sales. Times have definitely changed.

Ok, so you can’t earn money from records. Fine. And live performances in London? Extremely difficult. You’ll be lucky, and I mean lucky, if the bar will have the decency to treat you to a slightly flat lager for fucks sake! Anyway, before I rant any longer, I would like to end the intro on a key point, which is that I personally believe that underground artists’ only real chance of earning a living from making music is through mutual support. And herein lies the paradigm shift…now check out some of the great music below!!!

1) DIRTY DONNO www.dirtydonno.co.uk

Dirty Donno (Guy Donovan) is a solo grime artist from Essex, based in Brighton. Donno is a dedicated wordsmith who packs in heavy content into quick rhymes that flow emphatically through his recordings. What most appeals to me about Donno’s music is the crisp rhythm and honesty of his delivery and his approach to two key themes: family and addiction. I’m sure a lot of people can empathise with his lyrics that are positive although resolutely unafraid of the darkness in life. There’s no bullshit either, spelled out clearly with simple but direct lyrics, ‘I’m a driving force, can’t hide the thoughts…not here to chat about the gun talk’. Forthcoming album ‘Face for Radio’ will be available from his website soon, but in the meantime check out his soundcloud page for numerous collabs and big tunes.

2) BLUE ROSE CODEwww.bluerosecode.com

Unlike the rest of the artists in this review Blue Rose Code are actually signed to indie label Ho-Hum Records, but I remember seeing them back in 2005 when they were playing at the very unglamorous ‘Bow Bells’ pub on Mile End Rd. Much has happened for BRC since then, but I still want people who haven’t heard them yet to check ‘em out. BRC are a contemporary folk act from Edinburgh now based in London and seem to be well on their way to breaking up from under. What’s distinctive about BRC’s sound for me is the sheer quality of the vocals, both from lead singer and songwriter Ross Wilson and backing singers Samantha Whates and Lizzie Ogle, effortlessly delivered with interesting harmonies. They have a strong online presence and plenty of gigs in the pipeline so open up your ears and chill the fuck out to some sweet Caledonian Soul.

3) ROSIE MAY www.rosiemaymusic.bandcamp.com

Rosie May is a singer-songwriter from Taunton, Somerset and has just released her E.P. ‘Too far to Swim’. With a title like that it is probably little surprise that the sea is the predominant lyrical source of inspiration on this cool little four-track. First song ‘This Shell of Mine’ is a rip-roaring tune bursting with energy with tight production that maintains the honesty of an independently released, lo-fi record. Rosie’s voice is clear and strong and really excels in the up-lifting chorus of third track ‘Lost at Sea’. Listening to these recordings makes you think you could definitely imagine hearing Rosie May and her band at any U.K. festival and have the punters in the palm of her hand.

4) CONFLICTwww.conflictuk.bandcamp.com

I don’t personally know U.K. hip-hop artist Conflict but his music and the ethos that comes through it has already struck a chord. If you take the time to check out his links you’ll see that independent philosophy runs through every track. Conflict has a very chilled delivery which can lull the unsuspecting listener into a false sense of security; the content of his lyrics goes straight to some of the blatant social issues at the heart of our society. He also very consciously highlights how the music industry has changed and is himself absolutely about supporting the underground. You can download his E.P. Resolutions for free via Bandcamp; I recommend tracks ‘Rhyme and Reason’ and ‘Dear Hip-Hop’ for their production quality and lyrics.

5) THE ALI WARREN BANDwww.soundcloud.com/aliwarren

Ali Warren is another singer-songwriter from Taunton, Somerset and has recently recorded and performed live in the U.K. and further afield with his fantastic backing band. I had the pleasure of seeing the full band for the first time on Sunday and was thoroughly impressed with the musicality and tightness of their sound. As a solo artist Ali already knows how to captivate an audience, but with the full backing his tunes really sprang out of their guitar strings and smacked the crowd gleefully round the chops. The band have a new two-track single featuring the mesmerising 5/4 tune ‘What We Say’ which you can purchase at their live shows or hear via soundcloud. If you like your music played with passion and skill, definitely definitely check it out.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this post and please take the time to check out all the artists. The one thing that did console me as I walked past Abbey Road studios was someone singing ‘Come together, right now’ as they almost got run over by a Land Rover. And no I didn’t wanna see him get flattenned on a zebra crossing! For all their fame and money, that one Beatles’ lyric says much for the times and musical world we’re now living in.