It isn’t easy being a freelance arts writer. While I’m fully aware there are worse jobs to have (I previously worked in a call centre, a hotel and in retail, uggghhh) there are a few issues with this bizarre occupation. Firstly, some publications insist that they will pay you, only to renege at the lastContinue reading “Freelancer’s Blues”
Tag Archives: Arts criticism
Talking To A About Electro
I’m talking to A about electro. I quite like A. She’s looking at me the way you indulge a child who’s learned a new word, and with a slight superiority. She’s smiling in a half grimace, head tilted slightly. She means well, though. I’m going on about Frankie Knuckles. I do not know if AContinue reading “Talking To A About Electro”
How (Not) To Be A Crayon Critic
Recently, I had the misfortune to read the WORST review ever (naming no names, or the offending publication). It wasn’t an indictment of the show, but rather, a really badly executed piece of writing. So here we go again, here’s a short guide to the foibles of a Crayon Critic.
The Callous Arts Critic
Even his name is evocative of a furball being spat out. They don’t call him a hack for nothing. This arts critic, killer of dreams and mangler of the English language, stalks his prey undercover of darkness. Nobody is safe. I’m not naming names: here is not the space to settle scores. But I’ve metContinue reading “The Callous Arts Critic”
Everyone Is (Not) A Critic
M’ colleague and friend Gareth K Vile once wrote a brilliant article on the role of the critic, citing the lack of quality, and waspishly gave tips such as “write in full sentences”. You would think that this would be a prerequisite, but as I wrote in our previous blog The Tempo House, the riseContinue reading “Everyone Is (Not) A Critic”
Hit The North 