Film Review : Becoming Madonna

Madonna has always been resolutely Madonna, bitch. From 2024, this documentary directed by Michael Ogden follows her early career trajectory like a tracking pigeon. It’s extremely insightful, like a scrapbook bursting to life, full of interviews with those who knew her back in the day, like late brother Christopher who became one of her backingContinue reading “Film Review : Becoming Madonna”

Film Review: Since Yesterday- The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands

Carla J Easton and Blair Young’s film focuses on the best girl bands from Scotland, asking why they’re lesser known than their male counterparts, and why this is still happening in today’s music industry. Easton herself, ex- Teen Canteen and now a solo artist, narrates the film. It’s a heartfelt look at more obscure artistsContinue reading “Film Review: Since Yesterday- The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands”

The Swift Factor

As Taylor Swift continues on her all-conquering Eras tour, I was pondering her unique appeal. Personally, her insipid pop/country music leaves me cold. It’s cheery, radio friendly and catchy enough, but then as someone who’s more about alternative music, I’m not her demographic. She’s quite simply a global phenomenon. Her fans, the Swifties, are aContinue reading “The Swift Factor”

Album Review: Xmal Deutschland – Early Singles (1981-1982)

It’s strange, but Xmal Deutschland seemed to suffer the same fate as other cult bands like The Stooges, Suicide and Velvet Underground – they didn’t sell many records when they began, but gradually became more influential with time. Bands like Warpaint, VR Sex, Current Affairs and Savages owe them a debt- they definitely share aContinue reading “Album Review: Xmal Deutschland – Early Singles (1981-1982)”