When critics look back on the musical output of the last year what will it be remembered for? Most probably for Klaxons' multi-coloured, synth-bashing, self-shitting explosion into the mainstream along with a host of other indie-dance acts like SMD and Datarock under the abysmally embarrassing banner of 'nu-rave' This was confirmed the other day as Klaxons 'Myths of the Near Future' LP was nominated and then installed as favourite to win the Mercury Music Prize in September. I was pretty disappointed with the nominations really with Fur And Gold by Bat For Lashes being the only record I could truthfully say I have heard, enjoy, continue to enjoy and feel deserves to win. The Cribs woz robbed!
Having said that, whilst I'm not the biggest fan of Klaxons music to say the least it actually wouldn't be a travesty if they were to be awarded the prize. At least they have made a relatively interesting record and done something new while also inspiring loads of kids to change their clothes and hairstyles and all that. This is in comparison to bands like The View and New Young Pony Club, whose records, while they aren't particularly poor, are just a bit...dull.
Anyway, the point of this blog was to look at the other, gentler success story of the last year or so running in parallel with this idea of 'nu-rave' which has been the re-emergence of the quirky singer/songwriter epitomised by Natasha Kahn's nomination. Artists like Sufjan Stevens and Joanna Newsom have made the idea of the singer-songwriter cool again which can only be a good thing as people who wear jumpers and don't like bright colours need music too.
Lucy And The Caterpillar is just one of the thousands of kids picking up and having fun with an acoustic guitar (caterpillar) again. Her blog never fails to put a smile on my face so you should all go and leave her nice comments. She reminds me of Regina Spektor in a sort of way. It might be the way Lucy says 'sweets' and the way regina says 'juicy' I'm not sure. There's also a bit of Kate Nash in there, but a lot less cockney and annoying.
Anyway, the point of this blog was to look at the other, gentler success story of the last year or so running in parallel with this idea of 'nu-rave' which has been the re-emergence of the quirky singer/songwriter epitomised by Natasha Kahn's nomination. Artists like Sufjan Stevens and Joanna Newsom have made the idea of the singer-songwriter cool again which can only be a good thing as people who wear jumpers and don't like bright colours need music too.
Lucy And The Caterpillar is just one of the thousands of kids picking up and having fun with an acoustic guitar (caterpillar) again. Her blog never fails to put a smile on my face so you should all go and leave her nice comments. She reminds me of Regina Spektor in a sort of way. It might be the way Lucy says 'sweets' and the way regina says 'juicy' I'm not sure. There's also a bit of Kate Nash in there, but a lot less cockney and annoying.
Lucy And The Caterpillar - Red Red Wine
She's also playing at the last ever D-percussion festival in Castlefield on August 4th for which the line-up is now complete and can be viewed here! I'll probably be looking out for Beans for most of the day and then smiling like a fool for about an hour after his set. Will be a fun day whatever I'm sure.
Thinking about this debate between the loud, in your face acts like Klaxons and the more understated artists like Bat For Lashes I was just listening to Jeffrey and Jack Lewis being interviewed by Marc Riley. Marc asked about the variation of loud and quiet tracks on Jeff's records to which Jeff replied that both screaming and shouting and quiet, acoustic tracks can be equally cool which I think is true. It's easy to scoff at anything louder than Belle And Sebastian but everyone loves a bit of 'Anarchy in the UK' once in a while. In other exciting Jeffrey Lewis news, he's got a new record coming out! It's called '12 Crass Songs' and will be released in September along with a UK tour. go to his wonderful website and have a look
She's also playing at the last ever D-percussion festival in Castlefield on August 4th for which the line-up is now complete and can be viewed here! I'll probably be looking out for Beans for most of the day and then smiling like a fool for about an hour after his set. Will be a fun day whatever I'm sure.
Thinking about this debate between the loud, in your face acts like Klaxons and the more understated artists like Bat For Lashes I was just listening to Jeffrey and Jack Lewis being interviewed by Marc Riley. Marc asked about the variation of loud and quiet tracks on Jeff's records to which Jeff replied that both screaming and shouting and quiet, acoustic tracks can be equally cool which I think is true. It's easy to scoff at anything louder than Belle And Sebastian but everyone loves a bit of 'Anarchy in the UK' once in a while. In other exciting Jeffrey Lewis news, he's got a new record coming out! It's called '12 Crass Songs' and will be released in September along with a UK tour. go to his wonderful website and have a look
While its the summer holidays and there's nothing much to do in the rain I'd rec recommend the Hacienda exhibition thats just opened at Urbis (although it is on til February so no rush!) there are loads of cool old posters, flyers (they regularly used to play Gary Glitter!) and videos. So yeah, I'm off to play Metal Gear Solid!
