journchat on Twitter
February 3rd, 2009 - No Responses
I found this on Twitter and get the feeling it may be relevant to online journalism, and journalism in general.
When I find out more I’ll let you know
Another press gazzette article – BBC 1 and Radio Times fined for libel
January 13th, 2009 - No Responses
This would never have happened to MAMJ with all those 9am Scots law classes
The future of journalism continued
January 5th, 2009 - No Responses
I thought this press gazzette article I found had something we journalism students could do with a bit more of – positive comments about the industry and the future of journalism.
Scotland versus Cancer through music
December 17th, 2008 - 2 Responses
Versus Cancer are dedicated to making a difference to people suffering from cancer – bringing people together to create one off concerts, featuring living legends and new talent alike to perform rarely seen sets and one off collaborations, to raise much needed money to fight this disease.” http://www.versuscancer.org/home.php
The aim of Versus Cancer is to raise funds through one off concerts, featuring both well-known and upcoming artists. The money raised goes towards cancer research and support groups, in the hope of raising awareness of the need for early detection of the disease.
The charity was set up in 2005 by ex Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and Nova Rehman after Nova’s father and sister were diagnosed with cancer. Whilst Nova’s father survived, unfortunately his sister died from the disease in 2006. The concerts are now performed in tribute to her, which gives the campaign the personal and emotional association needed for people to feel connected to the issue.
Three concerts have been staged so far and £250,000 was raised from the March 2007 concert. One off performances included Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, New Order, Ian Brown, The Happy Mondays, The Fun Lovin Criminals, The Enemy and The Fratelli’s and partial Smiths and Stone Roses reunions were prompted by the events.
The 2008/9 programme of events aim to bring the total raised to over £1 million.
The event held at the Carling Academy on November 28 was supported by the Scottish Sun, and was a very Scottish affair. Held as a St Andrew’s day concert, it was headlined by Travis and the Fratellis, and supported by Attic Lights and Sergeant.
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The Fratellis put on a very entertaining performance, enlivened by an audience wearing tartan bunnets, jumping around and singing along as only Scottish audiences know how.
The Travis performance was a more nostalgic affair, Glasgow saw Travis become successful almost ten years ago, and it was a treat to find the lyrics I knew well as a sixteen year old come flooding back to me. Memories of watching the band play during a ’surprise assembly’ at Holyrood secondary were reignited by the old classics, most notably ‘Writing to Reach You’ – a personal favourite of mine.
Fran Healy seems changed since the Holyrood days, entering the Carling Academy wrapped ostentatiously in a scarf and hat is a far cry from the unaffected way they sauntered around their old school grounds in 2002, but that’s the price of success. The energy put into the concert by Healy and friends was outstanding as they dived around the stage. The climax was reached when Travis guitarist Andy Dunlop climbed up on top of two amps held precariously by a worried-looking technician.
The serious purpose of the concert was not lost during the evening. An announcement was made that Echo and the Bunnymen would not be able to perform that evening as one of their family members was so ill with cancer that they were not expected to live until morning. The stark reminder that the musicians themselves were affected by the killer disease added solemn gravitas to the evening.
http://bunnymen.com/Echo_%26_The__Bunnymen.html
Perhaps less well handled was Fran Healy’s attempt to remind the audience of the evening’s purpose when he asked the audience to raise their hands if they’d known anyone with cancer – this in itself was an expected part of the evening and had the desired effect of reminding ticket-holders of the enormity of the problem the event-organisers were attempting to tackle. Unfortunately he then went on to ask if anyone had cancer – which handled correctly could have provided a poignant moment in the night. Someone, note the vagueness here, raised their hand at the front of the audience.
“S***” said Healy, “that’s heavy”. No kidding Fran. I am still thankful the next song wasn’t ‘Why does it always rain on me,’ and if that sounds flippant and callous I remind you that it’s no more so than that interlude in the event. If nothing else Travis reminded us that there is no light-handed approach to addressing cancer.
It affects so many of us, and has no guaranteed cure. I have heard people complain about the attention cancer gets from the media compared with other, often more widespread and underfunded illnesses. The truth as I see it however, is that cancer has had such an impact on so many lives that it has become a dark cloud hanging above us – the ‘c word’, and that it’s our own continuous fear of it that prompts us to keep supporting the research and advertisement of the disease. Until there’s a cure we are still going to be afraid of it, and it will still kill people we love – so I refuse to support the idea that we should divert funds elsewhere, rather other charities should gain more.
Anyway, back to the evening…Travis ended the concert on a high, and some of us headed to the aftershow party at Sloans.
This was a unique affair to say the least, with so many people in attendance, partygoers stood around corridors and crowded into various rooms for the first couple of hours. Vaguely recognisable River City actors appeared in doorways as they seem to do at Glasgow events, whilst Greg Hemphill and wife danced to the music played by a number of bands entertaining throughout the late-night socialising. I had some difficulty in explaining the merits of ‘Still Game’ to two German friends, and even more fun explaining Balamory, but the greatest amusement came from seeing Hemphill escorted out of Sloans by his lovely wife with a drink-soaked grin across his face sporting a Brian Wilson jumper.
A particularly special part of the evening for me was the time spent in the ballroom at Sloans dancing to 60s music played by a member of Echo and the Bunnymen who was congratulated by Nova and John McLaughlin for his appearance in the difficult circumstances his bandmate was facing.
McLaughlin successful songwriter/producer and big name in the Glasgow music scene who helped to bring the Versus Cancer event to Glasgow. I was interested in meeting him, and when I did, I was privvy to some wise words about the music industry before he disappeared to help drunken musicians get transport to their hotel rooms – a rather surreal but pleasing experience.
The night concluded with a special late-night performance by Attic Lights in one of the other beautiful rooms in Sloans. An abundance of alcohol, much of which was ‘blagged’ from friendly musicians, and the hours spent networking by the audience for the past few hours, had created a good-humoured atmosphere which suited the Attic Lights (who had also clearly partaken of the available beverages) and their fans (myself included) very well.
As we danced in that awkward way that you do to Beach Boys inspired music with grins on our faces and singing along to the better known songs, I had to admit that I’d really enjoyed myself. I hope that the night did contribute to raising funds for charity, but it definitely showed that Scotland is getting better at promoting these types of events.
The increasing profile of Scottish Bands, and their willingness to give their time for free, means that we can hope to see more events like this in the future, with greater success and hopefully greater influence to raise awareness about Scottish killers such as cancer.
Philosophy versus Dance at The Mill
November 27th, 2008 - No Responses
I had no expectations when I went to The Mill gig at Oran Mor last night. Having never listened to either Swimmer One or Pooch, I was able to go in with an open mind, and was soon experiencing a very interesting night indeed.
Swimmer One appeared onstage as an unusual-looking trio. The lead singer was dressed in a tidy checked shirt, and was accompanied by a male and a female, and it was the girl who kept my attention for most of the performance.
Unlike her male counterparts, this girl was dressed all in black, with a lacy top, long hair and dark makeup. She had an unusual look about her that reminded me of Kate Bush - and I was pleased to have this association further validated when she started singing.
I have since learned that this young lady is actress Laura Cameron Lewis, and that she is not a permanent fixture in Swimmer One – she only sings with them on stage. Since I found her to be a captivating performer I was rather disappointed by this, but I congratulate Swimmer One on recognising her ability to boost their live performances.
When the band started playing I was met with a sound reminiscent of 80’s synth with a bit of The Smiths thrown in. As the set progressed the sound moved from retro to futuristic, which I would attribute to the simple combination of bass, keyboard and steady, unfluctuating vocals.
There was a suggestion of some deeper meaning behind their lyrics in every song, and although the songs had no real hook to them, the band manage to convince you that they have something important to say – which is quite a feat during a noisy gig where you’re unlikely to make out most of the words unless you’re already familiar with the band.
This hint of philosophy is what keeps you listening to Swimmer One: they’re not your average band. Their sound would not be out of place in a student venue, and they were comfortable at the Mill, but I got the feeling that they would have been better suited in a more intimate setting, where their lyrics can be heard and any message that they’re trying to convey won’t be lost in the crowd.
There is a haunting sound to this band, emphasised by their Scottish accents and steady vocals mixed with the strong electronic pop that makes them stand out from their peers. Their song The Balance Company draws on 80’s bands like Soft Cell, and the singer Andrew Eaton looks like he’d fit in well with bands from this era.
He and bandmate Hamish Brown are very comfortable deriving influences from other bands and incorporating them into their own brand of electronic synth pop music. They have been compared to Belle and Sebastian – a comparison recognisable in the sensitive tones of But My Heart is Broken, and Pulp, whose influence is immediately evident in National Theatre.
The similarity between these bands is that they all seem to have a comment to make on society, and although Swimmer One’s productions speak more to melancholy than intense brooding, they have the potential to create truly intelligent music as their songwriting matures with experience.
Hopefully their song “We just make music for ourselves” will still hold true if the band gain more success.
http://www.myspace.com/swimmerone
Pooch were a complete contrast to Swimmer One in the way that Blondie were to Soft Cell. They too had a sound reminiscent of the 80’s, but there’s was a more energetic set from the start – engineered to get the crowd dancing rather than to get a well thought-out message across to their audience.
Their songs are full of fun – Fashionista and Paparazzi Party are well-constructed, upbeat tracks with a modern twist that would fit in well with the Mighty Boosh.
Their singer, Laura, is very confident on stage, to a level that is almost intimidating. However, she has a cute, girly presence that keeps her performance from becoming pretentious.
The attitude that she adopts for the stage gives an edge to the band, she glares at the audience, moves from the keyboard to hitting a cowbell with a drumstick, and is constantly performing, even when it’s not her turn to sing.
They certainly make an impact. Each of the band looks alive, and their combination of synth, guitar and drums gives them a fresh and youthful sound.
There is a definite influence from 80s female-led bands such as Blondie, and Laura certainly dominates the stage with her strong, loud vocals.
I found myself wishing for more variety in their set, as some of their songs seemed quite similar in style and sound.
However, French Kiss is a very good song, and this is a band who get people moving. One audience member, 18 year old Sean, told me he had heard Pooch once before and had enjoyed them so much he’d come along to The Mill even though none of his friends could make it. I later spotted him dancing and singing along at the front of the crowd.
Pooch may not have the appearance of depth and substance that Swimmer One do, but if you’re looking for a fun energetic performance to get absorbed in and dance along to, this short set was the one to watch.
Either way this night had something for the philosopher and the dancer in me.
I was reminded of the line in The Killers’ latest song: “Are we human or are we dancers?” last night, these bands let me be both.
Cheburashka
November 2nd, 2008 - 3 Responses
A few years ago I attended an Eels Concert at the Carling Academy. I didn’t know much at all about the Eels before this gig but I now have a great affection for them. This is not only because I think their lyrics are beautiful, humourous and intelligent, and feel the same way about their music, but because they introduced me to Cheburashka.
Cheburashka is a character in Soviet children’s story by writer Eduard Uspensky. The stories of Cheburashka have become so well-known and loved that he was used as the mascot for Russia in the 2004 Olympic games, and had an aircraft named after him which supposedly has a similar shape, the Antonov An-72.
Cheburashka is an animal unknown to science. He was transported from his tropical forest home in a crate of oranges to a Grocer, who tries to find somewhere for him to live. His real name is not Cheburashka, the shop keeper called him that because he fell off the table – Cheburashka is a Russian colloqualism akin to ‘topple’ in English, so the character was known as Topple in early English translations.
The shop keeper takes Cheburashka to the zoo to get him a job working as an animal there. Unfortunately, as he is unknown to science, the zoo keeper won’t take him. Cheburashka eventually befriends a lonely crocodile, Gena, and they have adventures with other outcast animals.
The story of Cheburashka not only contains ethical messages about difference and loneliness, but it revived forgotten words from different languages; the word Cheburashka had all but died out before Uspensky named his beloved character, and Shapoklyak, a michevious old lady, is named after a French top hat. The old lady also has a message to affirm the pranks she plays: “One won’t ever get famous for good deeds.”
Cheburashka is an enchanting character, I’m sure you’ll agree. Perhaps at times when we’re despairing of the quality of creative literature or television in Britain, those produced by other countries would be worth a look. I feel that we may be missing out on potential classics.
Keeping the Faith
October 24th, 2008 - No Responses
Recently there have been a number of highly publicized comebacks in the music charts. From legendary rockers Led Zeppelin to monster metal band Metallica, there has been somewhat of a market demand for nostalgia in the music industry.
When big bands or names stage a return to music they are usually demand a small fortune for tickets – certainly more than newer acts can afford to charge. So what’s the appeal of these more experienced musicians?
Of course nostalgia has a big part to play. People develop emotional attachments to songs which they remember playing during certain stages of their lives – and they will naturally transfer these feelings to the performer. However, there is an additional argument to be made for these aging musicians: they are just more interesting.
The music industry is full of creative, exciting new bands, who write innovative songs and give energetic performances. However, there is also a very strong commercial element in the music charts, which demands conformity and rejects innovation by design. This element takes the human form of Simon Cowell. The television and music charts are dominated at certain times of the year by winners of shows such as X-Factor, who represent a certain brand through both their image and the product that they offer the consumer.
Comeback acts offer a remedy to the bland commercialism of the charts, especially when they don’t try too hard to update their image. One particular example of a performer who offers the eccentricity lacking in the recent breed of commercial non-entities is the Reverend Al Green.
First of all, he’s a Reverend. That’s a quality that the X-Factor cannot bestow upon contestants. Also importantly, he has personality – lots of it. He has a presence that comes through unique experiences and personal growth, something that cannot be packaged and sold for the fickle modern consumer.
He has met hundreds of interesting people and has lived through decades of changes to the music industry, politics and society. He has written many songs and has a different story to tell about each one. His new songs reflect his old style and love him or hate him, he has a familiar sound that most people will recognise (at least those born earlier than the nineties).
The reason that I’m writing specifically about Al Green is because he’s performing at the Clyde Auditorium on Thursday and I can’t wait. I believe that my excitement comes from the knowledge that I’m going to see a classic performer: someone who really believes in what he does and has talent. Maybe the truth is that I’m an old-fashioned sentimental lover of cheesy music, but I’m sticking by my story. I don’t know if he’ll live up to my sky-high expectations, but I believe in him. I have faith.
The future of journalism as I see it
October 7th, 2008 - 2 Responses
I think that the future of journalism will involve a lot more interaction from the general public. Many people are interested in what’s happening in their community and enjoy being able to talk about local issues from the comfort of their own home.
Politically active people such as community/youth/charity workers will generally have strong opinions on specific subjects and online journalism will give them the freedom to express these thoughts. Where the development of online journalism leaves professional journalists is something I am not so clear on, but people will still need a reliable source of news, and will want to read trusted articles on the issues that matter to them, and I think that journalism will develop so that everyone has access to local and national news in a format which suits the individual, whether this be print, online or broadcast.
I think that podcasts will become increasingly popular as people use online news sites more regularly, and I will be interested to see how online journalism develops.
Test post
September 24th, 2008 - No Responses
This is a test post for the MA Multimedia Journalism blog.
Getting started with the Blog!
September 23rd, 2008 - No Responses
Welcome to your WordPress blog!
We have put together a quick start guide which should help you get to grips with the blog very quickly.
