Prior to this morning I’d have probably had the same reaction to this as you’ve undoubtedly just had, which is “Who…?” (some of you may have also unwillingly thought of Suggs, but don’t let that little ditty get stuck in your head…). The “who?” was then followed by the curiosity of just how many days of the year can be assigned to a person or cause. But St. Cecilia is, rather appropriately, the patron saint of musicians, and today, the 22nd of November, is her feast day. A feast i’ll prepare in a moment…

My awareness of this has come about through the endeavors of former KLF frontman Bill Drummond and his efforts yesterday (and in the previous two years) to make the 21st of November No Music Day. Originally, he tells us, it was practically a personal affair with very little awareness, but it has began to snowball with BBC Radio Scotland supporting this years efforts, making yesterday a music-less day over the airwaves – for Scotland’s public radio at least. I myself unfortunately failed to adhere to the occasion, what with my laptop and headphones in front of me and a freshly acquired Moha! album I succumbed to temptation. I still however think that, impractical or genius, this day seems to make sense. It made me consciously think, and recognise, my ignorance towards the continual flow of music I feed myself. Then I thought about other music that crosses my path, in shops or in adverts, even the postman whistling his morning chorus. Music is an unavoidable aspect of our culture to the point where it’s presence is all but taken for granted. It has literally become part of the fittings of our society and while I question how possible it is to silence the harmonious elements around us, the effort of a days fasting can really go some way to helping our understanding and appreciation for this wonderfully expressive and meaningful medium.

It is no coincidence that No Music Day should fall on the eve of St. Cecilia’s feast day either. What a wonderful preparation for an overindulgence of music the 21st could be, and for this foresight I raise my beanie to Mr. Drummond. I do think it may be a little too ambitious to be fully realised, but even if it inspires just a moments consideration in folks for music in our environment it may be considered a success.

Back to the point at hand however in that today – the 22nd – is a day for music, and in light of this I have compiled a playlist of some really great songs from amazingtunes for you to lend an ear to (Click here). The styles vary and I’m sure there’s something for everyone in there – with no excuses as to why you haven’t clicked the link, what with it being the 22nd!

A quick mention goes out to Steve Mclaren, unlucky mate! At least we won’t have to go through the unimaginably painful process of deciding on a terribly weak and dull Official England Song for next summer’s European Championships.
Like this… [video] …if only you could see the look of contempt I’m now sporting after having just watched that.

…amazingtunes.com

While perusing the internet this week I came across a couple of stories regarding a study, published last month in the JECH, that has released findings that pop and rock stars, in accordance with popular opinion, do indeed die younger. Looking at a sample of North American and English artists from 1956 to 2005 some alarming patterns were uncovered. Particular findings, like stars are 3 times more likely to pass away within the first 5 years of fame than the general population, are sobering indications to the detrimental effects of ‘rockin’ out’ for a living.

In light of this, here is the definitive list of the 10 things a rock star must be sure to cram in to his, potentially short-lived, existence before ‘another one bites the dust’:

1)Raid the stage of a high profile awards ceremony, preferably during the climax performance, and pull a moony, sure to show those ‘square’ business men and record executives that the creative nature they’re hiring you for isn’t ill-found.

2)Carefully place a large object, ideally a car or a grand piano (though there are many other options), into a large vessel of water. A swimming pool would be the favourite here, but i would also recommend the pond of a large estate or a city river at the album launch party hosted by the label on an expensive yacht.

3)Punch a photographer. An easily attainable rock star maneuver, though you must ensure at all times not to consider the consequences of your acts.

4)Perk up a tour by wrecking your hotel room. Fire extinguishers and mini bars should be your focal point, alongside televisions and windows, so work from there. It is often good to try and combine this with point 2, since a swimming pool will be readily available.

5)Swear on day time television. While not difficult to achieve with a high enough profile, bonus kudos will be gained if it’s a Saturday morning show on national television.

6)Challenge, better still, demand, the lead singer or guitarist of a rival band to a bout of fisty-cuffs. He’ll obviously never be as hard or extreme as you, and it comes with the added benefit that the larger the audience you make this proposal to, the less likely it is that you will actually have to go through with the bout.

7)Apply a small amount of paraffin or lighter fluid to your guitar body and when you hit that orgasmic face melting solo spark a lighter. Be sure to position yourself at the front of the stage, get down on your knees and, with your eyes shut, passionately gurn, altering your face contortion with each pitch bend. Ideally have a roadie with a fire extinguisher to the side of the stage, though point 4 may have back-fired here.

8)A simple trick sure to guarantee a cult status is to remove the head, via an oral maneuver, of a small rodent or animal. Be aware that whichever animal you choose will affect the said cult status, and that vegetarians and animal rights activist should not be one of your key demographics.

9)Take heed in the fact that nearly all of life’s relationships will eventually dissolve and release a tasteless solo album, safe in the knowledge that your band is nothing without you. After all, you’ll earn way more money with a reunion tour if the rest of the band do get the hump, so the risk is a non-entity.

10)Finally, outlive the drummer. Easier said than done, this is a good guarantee that you weren’t the one to ‘go’ in this band, and it means you can go on to reap the [financial] rewards of the autobiography, the many compilation albums, the Sotheby’s auction of band memorabilia, and obviously that reunion tour.

…amazingtunes.com

Global Rotation – Summer Farewell

This tune nostalgically reminds me of a more sophisticated, cleaner version of the type of music heard on the Commodore Amiga in the early 1990s. Cheerful and summery, I would recommend listening to it while drinking a cocktail such as a singapore sling or a strawberry marguerita. But unfortunately I can’t do that in the office.

Yaporigami – Velvet

This is a track for all fans of the likes of Autchre, Bogdan Raczynski, and Venetian Snares. Delicately scatty synth lines harmonise behind erratic breakbeats that move in an out of the track as if the song is breathing it’s progression. The production gives a great balance towards the energy of the beats against the melody, pushed back in the sound stage. While it could be said the song becomes a little cluttered at times this seems to add to the release of tension when the upfront beats and sounds drop-off. An overall great track.

Belle Humble – Maraschino Cherry

From the first note to the last this acoustic tune, comprising simply of guitar and voice, dances around with a wonderfully buoyant energy. Lyrically very strong, the topic, phrase and style fluently moves with the guitar, incurring thoughts of a modern [Bob Dylan] Subterranean Homesick Blues, for the romanced folk. This is definitely one of the most pleasant tunes I’ve come across in recent weeks.

Sweet Jane – Take Me Home

An strong Brit-pop/Indie air moves around this tune, with definite likings toward giants such as Oasis and Stone Roses. Not looking to confuse matters, the straightforward nature of the track looks to drive it onward, a powerful drum beat with a full compliment of sound from the back-line easily filling the sound-stage. A strong sense of importance on the production of the vocals comes through and this ultimately creates that textbook Brit-Pop sound.

…It appears the industry really is having a shake-down.

To all those fans of the ‘Material Girl’ it will be common knowledge by now that speculation is rising over Madonna’s future with Warner Music Group. With 2 album releases left on her contract with WMG – her career-long label – her attention is now moving towards a more suitable representative, with seemingly more impetus being placed on the live shows and world touring. Speculation surrounds a new deal with venues and promoters company, Live Nation, which seems to hint at a growing disillusionment with diminishing record sales amongst major artists and labels. This all comes soon after Sir Paul McCartney signed to the Hear Music label of Starbucks, the coffee house chain, via which his music could be fronted to a captive audience within the Starbucks stores. Starbucks have gone on to strike a deal with Steve Jobs’ iTunes, granting it’s customers free access to the iTunes stores, via which they can purchase the likes of McCartney’s releases from the coffee house chain – in effect bypassing the current fall in solid state media sales. I have yet to see a hint as large as this that the major labels are in a downward spiral. When a, albeit glorified, promoting agency and a major coffee chain can out-maneuver and out-earn the major labels through their better placement amongst the market place – essentially modeling themselves towards where tomorrows money lies – i would speculate that, unless the majors soon spark into a frenzy of adaptive activity, a shift in the housing of popular artistes maybe just around the corner.

As for the slightly more modest world of unsigned music and amazingtunes.com things are just as exciting (relatively!). After a sizable amount of early media coverage over the weekend for ‘tunes on both television and paper, an influx of new talent and expectant ears have fallen upon the site. I’m trying my hardest to get through everything that is being uploading, fully impressed by the array of styles I’m hearing, though my penchant for breakcore dance music and doom metal is still to be fully realised…

I’ll leave you with one of the more unusual tunes that has been uploaded over the last few days titled ‘Maybe It’ by Jazz Headburn. An open soundscape of a track, akin to Four Tet with hints of Aphex Twin’s Drukqs, and even some early Jaga Jazzist. Enjoy…

And if you want a bit more Madonna…

…amazingtunes.com