Dolly has left us. What can we say that hasn’t already been said? Singer, songwriter, philanthropist, icon, champion of LGBTQI rights, Grammy Award winner, Hollywood Star of Fame winner, actor, theme park creator. 100 million records sold worldwide, endlessly quotable, forever recognised, and not bad for a lil gal who grew up- the fourth childContinue reading “Dolly Forever”
Category Archives: Music
Five Cure Gems
I should really be at The Cure Summer Session show in Edinburgh today, but wondered if they’d live up to how I imagine them. I’ve been into the band since around 1984, so it’d be partially nostalgia. Saying that, the last album is wonderful too. £85 for two bands I’d like to see isn’t reallyContinue reading “Five Cure Gems”
A Perfect Scene
One of my favourite films scenes is in Wim Wenders’ immaculate Wings Of Desire. Crime and the City Solution are playing a gig in Berlin, and the beautiful Marion, played by Solveig Dommartin, dances, freed from her circus job, arms flailing. An angel, Damiel, played by Bruno Ganz , has fallen in love with her.Continue reading “A Perfect Scene”
Kate Bush’s Influences
Pics of Kate Bush: John Carder Bush J W Waterhouse, ‘The Lady of Shallot’. Kate Bush was always upfront in her literary and artistic influences. She essayed The Brontes of course, but also Tennyson, Shakespeare and John William Waterhouse. Her Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic was unique in a time of punk, prog and so on, but theContinue reading “Kate Bush’s Influences”
Overlooked Classic: Dazed and Confused
Richard Linklater had already ensnared me with ‘Slacker’ (more of which,later) but ‘Dazed and Confused ‘, named of course after the Led Zep track, really cemented his storytelling process. Essentially, it’s a simple enough premise: a group of kids are looking for a beer keg party at the end of school. It focuses on theContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Dazed and Confused”
The Rise of Sofia Isella
We all like Billie Eilish, but more recently Sofia Isella has taken her soft vocals and avant-pop to the next level. She’s gone stratospheric, a young Mexican-American poet making dark pop that references many facets of the culture wars, and I for one am grateful. Her debut, ‘I Am Camera’, is creepy pop. Take thisContinue reading “The Rise of Sofia Isella”
Sunday Hymn
Image: Magnet Katie Jane Garside in her Ophelia prime is like my sister from another mister. This video and song is my current Sunday hymn. Even Beavis on ‘Beavis and Butthead’ said of her, “I think this chick could relate to me”. He was wrong, but how adorable. Enjoy.
Lost In Music: Lene Lovich- Bird Song
Before Toyah, Hazel O’ Connor, Bjork, Florence Welsh and Amanda Fucking Palmer, there was the beautiful Lene Lovich. Part of Stiff Records’ roster, the Serbian American artist was a contemporary of Kate Bush but arguably a bit kookier. ‘Lucky Numbers’ was of course her top ten hit in the UK, but I prefer this. Jeepers,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Lene Lovich- Bird Song”
The Royal Mile During the Fringe
Was there ever a better analogy for social stratification than the Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Fringe? A teeming mass, a melee of desperation and showing off, it displays the disparity between the classes in all of its garish, wanton glory. Almost Ballardian in scale,the crowd even works as a guide to life itself. FirstlyContinue reading “The Royal Mile During the Fringe”
Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End
As Trainspotting turned 30 this year, I choose Pulp. This is Jarvis at his bleakest and most acerbic, This Is Hardcore aside. This deceptively rinky dinky sounding song appeared at the end of the soundtrack, taking in lyrics about poverty, terrible housing, paedophiles and casual violence. “I guess you have to go right down/ BeforeContinue reading “Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End”
