‘Three women, four people of colour, one from a continent other than Europe or North-America. It is a beginning, and for now I will accept it, but next year I expect different numbers. Next year I expect at least a 50/50 split in terms of gender and race, and at least four artists from Asia,…
The syllogism of musical identity
People’s sense of identity is very closely related to the music they likePeople stop listening to new (categories of) music after the age of 33 It can therefore be argued that the identity formation process gradually slows down and almost completely stops after the age of 33. This crude syllogism of (musical) identity bothers me….
Did vulgarism kill the voice of the outsider?
Journalists, police officers, scientists, they investigate everything, and still, sometimes they just forget or ignore the obvious, the phenomenon right in front of them, hiding in plain sight. The rise of vulgarism didn’t start in 2016, but it did gain momentum in that horrible year, the same year beauty and empathy lost its voice, maybe…
We are the music makers (1873-1964-1992)
End of year, time to take stock. Time to say goodbye to ideas that have done nothing more but collecting dust. Time to address the most annoying part of getting older; becoming a grumpy old man no one wants to listen to, someone who is increasingly living in the past and only deals in comparisons…
(Be an) Exile on Main St.
Most albums I instantly like or dislike. Some artists I have to get used to. Enter exhibit one: Leonard Cohen. I failed to appreciate Mr. Cohen for a very long time. I liked cover versions of his songs (‘Avalanche’ in the version of Nick Cave, ‘I can’t forget’ in the version of The Pixies), but…
Missed Opportunities
One of John Lennon’s many contributions to everyday philosophy is his observation that ‘life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’. It crossed my mind when I read Glen Matlock’s affectionate words in a Pete Shelley obituary. Talking about the brilliance of the Buzzcocks and taking the time to go to…
Fantasy Football
If the land of music existed, which team would it send to the World Cup Football? Which players would be selected for which positions? Who would be their coach and what type of system would they play? Endless variations are possible, all with their distinct advantages and disadvantages. Numerous decisions have to be made, and…
One set of lines to rule ’em all
I stumbled out of bed/ I got ready for the struggle/ I smoked a cigarette/ And I tightened up my gut. (Leonard Cohen, I can’t forget) There are better opening lines. There are more philosophical opening lines. There are more poetic opening lines. There are more beautiful opening lines. There are definitely more cryptic opening…
This one goes out to the one I love to hate
I’m not starting a political blog, but with the days of contemplation approaching, I dare you to think about the following: “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’” (Isaac…
Better listen to Leonard
People often die just after their birthday. It is like they need that last event, the last ceremony, to say goodbye to life. Last week Leonard Cohen died. Not after his birthday, but just after Donald Trump won the US presidential elections. Coincidence? Probably, although I can imagine Trump’s election killed the last bit of…
-
Recent Posts
Archives
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
Categories
Social
Follow me on Twitter
My TweetsFollow my blog!
Subscribe to Differentlistening