A view and a review

Friday- Another week accomplished, another soon to begin. The days continue to appear like photographs of the Queen Mother pulling a pint in the London Public Houses. Or like another silly "vote to win" competition- enough facebook likes could win you a record contract, a radio appearance, a chance to meet your heroes or simply plenty of pestered and vaguely disgruntled facebook friends.

These contests are normally set up by people and companies as a cynical way to build an audience. It's there in the How to Promote and Branding type books and websites; right next to viral campaigns and how to sell your music and soul to advertising companies. They are not looking for talent or progress; they are looking to make money (in some cases, it's true, they are looking purely to sustain themselves).

Of course, I do not think there is anything wrong with popular music being popular (although, like Blixa Bargeld said in an interview, "I didn't get into rock and roll to make rock and roll music"). If something appeals to the masses then that, to an extent, is fine. The problem is that most of these things are more about who can annoy enough of their friends to like something that they probably haven't even listened to.

I am on the mailing list for Yep Roc records. I do like Yep Roc and am a fan of the sort of interesting, kinda obscure bands they promote. They have been home to Heavy Trash, Nick Lowe, Rev Horton Heat. They have recently informed me that they are starting a competition for the best cover of a Yep Roc artist. This will be decided by facebook likes or hits or some other dreadful method. We are all going through hard times and I know that many of the great record labels have been subsumed or disappeared- Mute, Stiff, Island. But the heyday of those labels remain great because they showcase the music that the people who ran those labels loved. And if you are showcase the music you love, then why let a contest be decided by popularity by numbers (in all senses of the phrase).

Yes, for better or for worse, the days of the A and R man are over and what remains is meant to represent a more democratic state of musical affairs. And so I can add popularity competitions to beauty contests and any type of sporting event in the list of things I will never win.

And what do we have left?

The Critic. Some are great, some are terrible and they have the reputation for being wannabes and vultures. But all should, at least, have a self generated opinion- hopefully also a little insight. There have been good and bad reviews on what have become widely regarded classic album, fine art masterpieces and groundbreaking film. This does not mean that the critic that famously wrote a scathing review of The White Album was wrong though. I think the greatest works are all important and completely meaningless at the same time and I think that it is as important to recognise the flaws as the genius. It is as important to have the devil on one shoulder as it is to have an angel.

So on that note, there's a recent review of one of our gigs from www.forfolkssake.com by Becky Varley-Winter:
http://forfolkssake.com/gigs/18727/live-richard-lamys-a-disgrace-the-workshop-london

It describes me as a mustachioed giant who is a cross between Seasick Steve and the cookie monster. She also enjoy the band's "comic resistance to my enthusiasm". Nice. We thank you for it.

Take care all,

Richard the Mustachioed Giant