Random Play by Graham Reid

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Random Play: Music to my ears

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  • Simon Grigg,

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Clayton,

    I'm often perplexed at the notion that the world of classical music is particularly stuffy or conservative, compared to other genre forms. Where barriers lie to enjoyment might perhaps be in the culture surrounding classical concerts--sitting silently and not clapping between movements, for example (the antithesis of a pub performance!)--but these things can be easily learned, and are part of the experience.

    While the music itself can be arcane, whereas a lot of pop is more easily accessible, I don't think familiarising oneself with the conventions of the various styles that the umbrella term "classical" covers is necessarily any more difficult than exploring a new mode in rock or pop. (It took me a number of attentive listenings to love the White Stripes, for example, but now I can't remember, sonically, the time when I didn't think they were just the thing.)

    And as for the notion--not expressed in the blog post, I hasten to add--that the musicians themselves are particularly stuffy, conservative or socially reserved, I can only assume that those who think this way have never been friends with, flatted with, dated, or otherwise consorted with orchestral players. Granted, it's a small sample size, but it still puzzles me.

    (One of the reasons I never made the step from part-time to full-time viola player was not only because I thought I lacked the mental toughness, but also because I doubted I could keep up with the drinking.)

    So, to avoid this comment being wholly tangential, I wish more listeners would embrace the highbrow as they do the middle-. The rewards are many, and the big orchestras need bums on seats to thrive.

    Christchurch • Since Feb 2007 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    Dunno what happened then....

    but Graham I understand and concur.....and would like to dispute RB's statement a week or two back about people over thirty getting overly enthusiastic over singles too, something I meant to do at the time but thought I'd posted enough that day and told myself to get a life...I tend to obsess over singles, and tracks, in my own mind of course rather than on paper, but I tell people too, rather enthusiastically about songs and singles (which is where my head has always been rather than albums).

    56?..you have years ahead...the first question the great Tim Murdoch has always asked me when we meet (even after his stroke) is "what are you listening to?" He then proceeds to roll off his current ten which as often as not includes some spotty garage band from Delaware or Perth.

    And one of the pleasures of getting older is the ease that you can go backwards and forwards in the discovery mode rather than just needing to find the new. So right now I'm going through a rather big late sixties Kiwi psychedelia phase (moving on from my Zodiac Records thing of the last year), coupled with the new, Tom Yorke sampling, Kayne West and the Carl Craig mixes of Siobhan Donaghy, which all seems to sit together rather well in some odd way

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    It's alright Simon - I didn't mean one shouldn't get enthused with the hot new single from somewhere; I was more thinking of the British music journalists who've spent 20 years declaring this week's model the best thing ever.

    I still find listening to a live rock 'n' roll band that's got something going a really exciting thing, but I like the social side of going to a gig too -- seeing people I know, watching people I don't know, getting up to mischief. Going somewhere where I'm passively sitting and watching just isn't as much fun.

    And one of the pleasures of getting older is the ease that you can go backwards and forwards in the discovery mode rather than just needing to find the new.

    emusic's so great for that. I've been enjoying some great obscure funk records there lately.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    well, I'm not as old as any of you tee hee - such a spring chicken at 43 I am - but I just can't go to many gigs. On too late, and too noisy for me. Although a young man sitting next to me at the Music awards a couple of years ago - when we were being blasted aurally by the Datsuns or D4 or someone else who plays very loud music, and it was so loud that the seats were vibrating, and I asked him how he could go to gigs where it was that loud - suggested wearing thingies in your ear (sorry, lost the word). Prob'ly a good idea, but then there's the "too late for a school night" factor, for me. I do enjoy a good live gig - people like one million dollars, and breaks co-op float my boat. I don't think the loud thing is an age thing for me though - just never been a rock chick. So keep on carrying the banner, Graham - people like me need people like you.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Grant Stone,

    I have to agree with Russell on emusic. It's great for finding obscure stuff, old and new. As far as the downloading thing goes - that just makes sites like Elsewhere all the more important. There's too much good music out there now and Elsewhere points me towards things I'd otherwise miss.

    While it's true that I'm far less likely to go out to see live music these days, thanks to the online stuff I'm more enthusiastic about music than I've been for years.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 30 posts Report Reply

  • Joanna,

    <quote>sitting silently and not clapping between movements, for example (the antithesis of a pub performance!)-</QUOTE>

    Oh man, I wish MORE pub performances were like that. Stupid fucking people talking all the way through a band when they're right at the front. Shut UP! I came to hear the music, not to you yelling "oh I don't know this song/I was sooo wasted last night/ My golf handicap is blah blah blah". The good thing about earplugs is not just that they mean your head's not ringing <em>all</em> night afterwards (unless you've been at Dimmer, but also that they reduce the sound of idiots around you talking.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 746 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    It's alright Simon - I didn't mean one shouldn't get enthused with the hot new single from somewhere;

    thank god for that..I was feeling a bit like the sad old guy sitting alone at the end of the bar................

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    thank god for that..I was feeling a bit like the sad old guy sitting alone at the end of the bar................

    You? Never!

    And thanks for the tip about those Carl Craig remixes. Couldn't find anyone to sell me a download, but bless the MP3 blogs ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Austin,

    I don't want to encourage music piracy, but as an aside, gmail now has a 20mb email size, and maybe slightly larger. Which is useful when sending large files.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

  • Chockasunday,

    A me too to Jackie on gigs being on too late - London was so much better, support bands on at 8ish, headliners by 9.30 and done by 11. You can still go out later if you want.
    And to Joanna about people talking - they should go down the back if they wanna chat.
    Weirdly enough, I was at Ed Byrne at the comedy festival recently, and a couple behind me were chatting during the show. They got quite indignant when I explained that I paid money to hear the comedian talking, not them.

    Bevan.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 62 posts Report Reply

  • andrew r,

    i remember about 20 years ago being about 23 in london going to a gig by northerners 'extreme noise terror" - they were spectacular, sounded just like their name, the bar was about half size of the Kings Arms with 100 odd people in it . I remember saying to me mate hey isn't that John Peel over there . It was . Then I guess he was in his late 40's . We thought it was fine, he looked old to us but he was clearly there to see the band and chat with his pal .
    So last night at 'the view' at the KA I thought of that . The kids were bouncing . The view were not bad .and the kids didn't seem to be bothered about us being there.
    Yeah gigs are still much more fun than dinner partys - and if the punters are talking or shouting or being maniacs - bad luck , there are no rules here . If you can't take it , might be better to head back to the dinner party .

    auckland • Since May 2007 • 100 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    So last night at 'the view' at the KA I thought of that . The kids were bouncing . The view were not bad .and the kids didn't seem to be bothered about us being there.

    The KA's a brilliant venue in some ways. If you don't want to bounce around front and centre, you can still get a good view (and sound) from the Dad's grandstand in the porch. And if it's not raining, there's lots of fresh air in the garden.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Anorak,

    Jackie -
    I am but a sprightly 28 years young, but I would never go to a gig without earplugs.
    I don't always wear them, it depends on just how close to eleven the amps are turned to, but having them as an option greatly increases my enjoyment.
    In fact, I keep them in my purse, so I am always prepared for Unexpected Sonic Assaults.
    I suggested to a friend this makes me very Rock 'n' Roll, but he responded somewhat in the negative.
    Apparantly "being prepared" is not Rock 'n' Roll at all.
    Who knew?!

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 61 posts Report Reply

  • Thom James,

    Obviously we all have our particular tastes in music, some far broader than others. But does anyone know anybody that doesn't like ANY MUSIC WHATSOEVER??? I've got an uncle that can't stand it. From an anthropological perspective I just didn't think this possible. Music is so thoroughly rooted in our cultural DNA that I can't begin to fathom not having a single genre that one would find one's self content listening to, sort of like trying to imagine the world without the colour green. And yet... to my uncle it's ALL just noise.

    Is my uncle a freak of nature, or does anyone out there have an acquaintance who shares his bizarre disposition?

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 63 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    Is my uncle a freak of nature . . .?

    Probably. Still, he might enjoy Pere Ubu's Ice Cream Truck. Here's a bit of how it goes:

    There's too much music in the land.
    You hear it everywhere.
    Everybody's in a band - can't get enough of it.
    Brother Jimmy,
    Cousin Ray,
    Mom and Dad on bass and drums -
    someone here's just gotta quit.

    Baby! Baby! Baby! Come here quick.
    The melody's about to make me sick.
    Baby! Baby! Baby! Shut that door.
    I don't think I can stand anymore.

    It's not the sugar.
    It's not the sticky sludge.
    People wanna eat that stuff I don't hold a grudge.
    It's that music - there's too much of it.
    I wish someone had the guts to quit.

    Writers: Cutler-Jones-Krauss-Maimone-Ravenstine-Thomas
    ©1989 Ubu Projex, administered by Bug Music.
    Lyrics by David Thomas

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    having them as an option greatly increases my enjoyment.
    In fact, I keep them in my purse, so I am always prepared for Unexpected Sonic Assaults.

    Love, love, love that, Anorak. I must admit that's the noise factor has held me back from a fair few gigs that I really would have liked to go to, if only to support friends in bands and suchlike. Now, if we can just get past the fact that I droop horribly after 11pm.......

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I am but a sprightly 28 years young, but I would never go to a gig without earplugs.
    I don't always wear them, it depends on just how close to eleven the amps are turned to, but having them as an option greatly increases my enjoyment.
    In fact, I keep them in my purse, so I am always prepared for Unexpected Sonic Assaults.
    I suggested to a friend this makes me very Rock 'n' Roll, but he responded somewhat in the negative.
    Apparantly "being prepared" is not Rock 'n' Roll at all.
    Who knew?!

    I know some people who use rollie cigarette filters, which, if you're a rollie smoker, are pretty handy. OTOH, I got caught once inserting earplugs by a roadie for Motorhead, before a concert by said band. He was most disdainful.

    But yeah - rock 'n' roll should be loud, not deafening, and not damaging.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    I know some people who use rollie cigarette filters, which, if you're a rollie smoker, are pretty handy.

    Make sure you're packing a set of keys.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Chockasunday,

    Hey Andrew,

    I'm all for enjoying the gig. I love it when people throw themselves into it... I'm a big fan of dancing up the front myself.

    I'm not a fan of people having a conversation about something else while everyone else is getting into it.

    Rock on and all that!
    Bevan.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 62 posts Report Reply

  • Anorak,

    Yeah, I would think cigarette filters would be too small and get lost...eek!
    I have used wet toilet paper before in an emergency (a Sonic Assault Emergency!?) involving a Japanese Noise Artist but I wouldn't recommend it. Wet toilet paper that is, not Japanese Noise Art.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 61 posts Report Reply

  • Scott Common,

    I know the feeling about late nights for gigs actually - I have to play them.. I've often tried to get venue owners to let us run gigs starting earlier - but there just seems to be this huge resistance to the idea. I would love to be able to rock up to the bar at 8pm, see a support act, play a set at 9:30 and be out of the venue and all packed up by 11pm! It would be a dream come true!!

    Then again if it's not rock'n'roll to be prepared I'm probably as the least rock'n'roll muso out there (I have checklists!).

    Earplugs - always carry them. I actually wear them at work (in an office) when I'm on the phone (ie just one plug in the non-phone ear). Useful too if theres roadworks or construction taking place nearby - I'm far too aware of how much loud noise I'm exposed too (both through choice and through our natural enviroment).

    Anyway bigs ups Graham for the post - good as always - and it was your attitude on Random Play that led me to invitie yourself to our Auckland gig!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 62 posts Report Reply

  • Heather Gaye,

    OTOH, I got caught once inserting earplugs by a roadie for Motorhead, before a concert by said band. He was most disdainful.

    Pfff! Motorhead's gig last year was the least loud I've been to in years! I would've thought they'd have to pump the volume right up just so that their noise-damaged heads could hear the foldback, but no.

    Actually, it was really good - still nicely wall-of-sound, but not hideously screechy.

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report Reply

  • Nick Howells,

    Its worth getting a pair of earplugs made to fit your ears if you go out a lot. I take mine with me everytime I go out. Unfortunately I already have tinnitus but better late than never.

    Good to see your column is back in the Real Groove mag this month Graham.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 20 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Bell,

    Nick Howells wrote:

    Unfortunately I already have tinnitus but better late than never.

    Yeah, me too. And I played in a poncey 1980s band. I really feel for Pete Townshend!

    It's when I see that the musicians in the band are wearing earplugs (and I'm not talking about in-ear monitors) that I start to worry. I mean, nowadays, if the backline is so loud that you need earplugs onstage, you have a seriously fkced up sound and I don't see why you should be inflicting it on an audience.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report Reply

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