Solo Artists

I seem to have a prejudicial dislike for solo artists. I don’t why or when such a barrier built up between the solo artist and I, but it did. I get the feeling it is rooted in their over presence in the folk music industry. When such music is done right, I can find it very enjoyable, but I'm also very picky in this regard and so more often than not find it boring. When I actually stop and think about it however, there are plenty of non-folk solo artists out there, many of whom I love. Their sound can be as rich as any band and so I really have no rational reason to scorn at the mention of their name. That is, except for in the case of this festival. Because you see the slower, folksy artists are out in force and while their music may be beautifully crafted, it isn’t what I look forward to at a festival. So feel free to check some of these artists out, but more than likely I won’t be joining you.

Angus & Julia Stone – What better way to open a section on solo artists than with a pair of them. They are brother and sister and create some very pleasant music. But for reasons stated above, I strongly doubt I’d go watch them

Bob Evans (Nowhere Without You) – For those who don’t know, this is the solo project of the lead singer from Jebediah, Kevin Mitchell. I’m a pretty big Jebediah fan and while this work sounds completely different, I enjoy it also. The combination of his song-writing ability and great voice has allowed him to be successful in both careers. Despite this, I’m still wary of what he’ll be like live, so will have to mark him down as a maybe.

Tom Cooney – Great voice for sure. Meaningful song lyrics no doubt. He perfectly sums up the folk singer I have no interest in seeing

Toni Collette & The Finish – A solo artist with an accompanying band is nothing more than an over glorified lead singer, selfish enough to want their own name included in the band name. So many of the biggest bands revolved largely around one person, but this person had no choice but to share the glory. What makes Toni Collette so special that she transcends this ancient tradition? I hope by now you realise I’m not being serious (then again, perhaps my inner cynic is creeping out). Toni Collette does indeed make lovely music and I’m sure she’s a very nice person. On top of this, The Finish aren’t just your average bunch of street performers, containing the lead singer from Augie March among other accomplished musicians. But despite all this I still won’t be seeing them…

Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea – See above but switch names and remove Augie March cameo. I enjoy and respect both artists but a festival just isn’t the place to see them. I’d want to be relaxing in a small, dark room so that I could fully appreciate them. Homebake creates the complete opposite to such an atmosphere

Gotye (Learnalilgivininlovin) – I have mixed emotions for Gotye. Some of his music I find very clever and highly enjoyable. But then a song like Thanks For Your Time comes along which I absolutely despise. I’m debating whether to see him or not but it’s a definite possibility. Personally I’d prefer it if Wally de Backer (a.k.a. Gotye) devoted more of his energy towards his band The Basics (more on them later!) cause they’re pretty damn fine.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is this new hyperbole a reversal of the oft used expressions used by inferior bloggers to show approval of their favourite mp3 post? As in "blah blah's favourite" or "choose this over the other waste of time entries I have put here through ennui". I much prefer the post 'em as ya see 'em approach, let them hang out for all to see,disable yur virus checker and free yourself from thoughts of viruses and impending doom, wander naked in the street and feel the freedom that nudism entails, skip whever you go and in doing so all will know you are happy and you keep fit, paint all your nails red to get in touch with your feminine side, invent one new word a day and use it often and with conviction so people know that you are hyperintelligent, stare at the sun and power through the pain to see if you are the chosen one...ehem i digress

Peter said...

What the fuck are you on about? More importantly, what are you trying to get at? In an attempt to display your own 'hyperintelligence', you appear to have sacrificed sense. It is very rarely clear what you're referring to (new hyperbole?) or even what message you're trying to get across.

All I can say is that you seem to have mistaken what I'm doing here. I'm giving my opinion on all the artists performing at the homebake festival. While it may appear irrelevant to the vast percentage of the population not attending this festival, it is actually exposing quite a few new acts, as well showing what I think about many established ones. I fail to see how this to relates to the practise of bloggers who lavish in their favourite posts. Or am I missing the point? You may want to elaorate on this 'new hyperbole' theory of yours.

As for the 'post em as you see em approach', I can think of two possible meanings of this. The first is a lack of bias, posting about bands whether I like them or not (disable your virus checker) and allowing readers to make up their minds (let them hang out there for all to see). I think this is silly because if I don't like a band, what is the point in promoting them. I understand everyone has different tastes but my blog will always represent my own. Secondly, I can see it as meaning post anything that pops into my lap, again allowing readers to decide. There is a place for blogs such as this as it gets a lot of music out there and gives readers more control to decide whether such music is good or not. But this is not what I want to do. With perhaps the exception of this feature, I only post music that I find is of high quality and I think that's fair enough. Readers can still decide what they like or not. Also when you think about it, I do 'post em as I see em' because when it's good, I say it's good and when it's bad, I say it's bad.....

I've tried to answer you but honestly, I haven't got a clue what you're on about...

Unknown said...

i wonder why this young man didnt leave his name...

but i have to say his blurb is indeed rather nonsensical

Anonymous said...

peter wins

Peter said...

haha thanks. not worth the effort though...that reply took FOREVER