I started blogging because of a burning passion for indie music, film and art. When reading an interview with Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn of Sleaford Mods and how they decided on their name, I found it inspiring. Jason said they saw themselves as being from the same lineage as The Jam, The Stone Roses and Oasis.
They sounding nothing like them, but what they had in common was a working-class ethos and mentality and a truckload of alienation and despair. During Cameron’s Broken Britain they were a voice for the disenfranchised, in the same way the Jam were in ‘77. Sleaford Mods for me are the voice of a generation. Their albums define an era and are a sole voice of dissension in a sea of drab musical lightweights.
Social Value
The lyrics from The Jam song In The City are the inspiration for this blog. The song is about politicians ignoring young people. It has tremendous power and articulates much of what I want to achieve with this blog. Many people and issues in society are marginalised. It is my hope that this blog will attempt to redress many of these issues. What you’ll find in this blog will be music and culture that put social values at the top of the agenda.
Influences
Sometimes music and art have to mean more than just being something pretty, though pretty can be nice at times. I love classic punk and alternative artists like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, The Who, The Jam, Sleaford Mods and Fugazi.
I carry a torch for The Beatles. Their genius has always left me awestruck. They were a tremendous force for good. They refused to play racially segregated venues until promoters relented and agreed to let black people sit where they wanted. The Beatles changed more than the face of music, but society as well.
The blog is mainly influenced by my love of indie music and also film, art and literature. When I was a teenager I remember reading To Kill A Mockingbird. It had such a profound effect on me. So much so that I named my daughter after Harper Lee. The film was remarkable. Gregory Peck’s character Atticus was a beacon of social justice in the racist American Bible Belt. All my favourite films had similar themes of social commentary from Apocalypse Now to Rumble Fish to Taxi Driver.
Background
I come from Belfast, Northern Ireland. If you know history and keep up to date with current affairs you’ll know about the Troubles. I have always felt completely neutral and frustrated by how religion overshadowed class politics.
We are a society in the process of healing. We live in a time of tremendous hope for our sons and daughters. It is hoped this blog can heal and inspire in equal measure and bring people together through music, art and ideas.
I hope that it continues the legacy created by the peace process and helps to create healthy discussion around entertainment, social issues and politics.
Recently, I completed a Certificate in Digital Marketing and after realising how much I enjoyed web design and social media marketing, decided to combine this with my love of culture and start this blog. I have a BA (Honours) Degree in Politics and an MSc in Political Lobbying and Public Affairs.
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