'Sing Street', behind the music

Sing Street 

First, kudos to John Carney for making me enjoy a movie that pays a lovely tribute to the New Romantics movement! You have to be a masterful director for making such a haunting film with such terrible bands (imo, of course) as Duran Duran, Hall & Oates or Spandau Ballet being not just your soundtrack, but a really important part of your work.

But I shouldn't be surprised. After all, Carney is the man behind 'Once' and 'Begin Again', two films that already proved he's capable of making movies about that irrepressible, life-changing & life-driving passion named music that entertain, engage and connect with all sorts of moviegoers, not just music lovers. And that's exactly the case with 'Sing Street'.

Settled in 1980s Dublin, 'Sing Street' is the story (or tale, most appropriately) of 14-year-old Conor (surprising debut by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who is not having the best of the times. His parents are on the verge of divorce. There are serious money concerns. And his new, catholic school is full of bullies, including the school's director. But after meeting the arresting & mysterious Raphina (magnetic Lucy Boynton), things are about to change drastically. He has to form a band in order to win her love... And so the magic begins.

For nearly an hour, maybe even a bit more, the film is almost, pure joy. The tunes, of course. The hilarious way in which the band gets born. How they compose the first song, 'The Riddle of the Model', that also becomes a really funny, ramshackle video, a refreshing way to talk about the arrival of MTV and the bursting videoclip culture. The imitation of music trends (where's the post-punk phase?), the aesthetics, the young bunch of kids transforming themselves in a creative sponge. The ups and downs of Raphina's heart conquest. The endless music & life talks with Conor's older brother Brendan (Jack Reynor, who steals every scene he is in). Sure, you have seen this tale before (being honest, the story development is far from original), but in such a dynamic, unstoppable way? Can't remember...

But then comes the last part of 'Sing Street', in which Carney has to take decisions. Is this going to be about music or just a romantic movie? Are the dramas (which, as usual, become bigger as the film advances) going to be dealt with, or the "feel-good" vibes are what really matters? To my view, Carney takes the easiest, most pleasing options. Subplots and secondary roles that have a lot of potential (the brothers' relationship, Brendan deserves a movie of his own) get shadowed. Others (the parents, Conor's sister) completely neglected. Even the band is somewhat "displaced" because of Conor & Raphina. Dramas are basically skipped... and then there's the final gig where all seems to fall into place. I get it: music can make the troubles go away, give us the strength and courage to take risks, be brave and fight for your dreams. But for a band looking for the "happy sad" song formula, once has the feeling Carney has decided to skimp on one part of the equation, making whe whole film look like A-ha's 'Take On Me' (and most of the mainstream 80s music): at first appealing, even intriguing... but finally bland. I won't be that harsh with 'Sing Street', because nevertheless, is an incredibly engaging, cheerful movie. But what it could have been with a bit more of punch...

SCORE: 6,75/10

These Go to 11: interviewing Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records & Crashing Through Publicity

Our first interview of the year is a very special one, thanks to the incredible curriculum of our guest, a real renaissance man, an incomparable music activist (record store manager, record label owner, and concert promoter). Here are the answers to our questionnaire of Mike Turner, the man behind the label Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records (HBBTM), Crashing Through Publicity, the Athens Popfest and many more. These Go to 11 (but it could possibly go to 40 with him)! 

Mike Turner, HHBTM Records, Crashing Through Publicity, Athens Popfest...

Mike Turner, your go-to-music guy

Mike Turner breathes music 24 hours a day 365 days a year. After a brief stint studying graphic design, Mike returned home and started publishing The Bee’s Knees, an influential magazine than ran from 1995-2005 and featured some of the earliest interviews with Suede, Olivia Tremor Control or the Shins, among others. In its 4th anniversary, Mike released a compilation CD that sold so well he decided to take all the money and started a label called Happy Happy Birthday To Me records (HHBTM). With a label to promote, Mike formed Yum Yum publicity, a small firm that worked some of the earliest records for Dirty Projectors, Yacht, Bearsuit, and many more. Since most of his friends & his label’s roster were already living there, Mike decided to move to Athens, Georgia, in 2004. To celebrate, he threw a four-day party that soon became an annual event: the Athens Popfest, that has featured artists like Daniel Johnston, Throwing Muses, Rory Erickson, Mission of Burma and Of Montreal, just to name a few. He also became manager at Wuxtry Records, one of the top indie record stores in the country & the place where R.E.M.'s legend began. As the day only has 24 hours, he quit working on The Bee’s Knees and the publicity firm to focus on HHBTM, experiencing great success for a label with such a DIY scope. But friends in bands and labels kept asking for his help and advice, so Mike decided to get back into the publicity business with Crashing Through. As you can see, a MAN OF MUSIC. Here we go!

Christmas presents, a risky affair... 

1. First record that you bought (be honest)
Well the first record I ever had was actually a cassette and it was a Christmas gift of Duran Duran's 'Rio', but I also received Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' on cassette as well. The first cassette I ever bought might have been Weird Al Yankovic's '3-D' or Devo's 'Freedom of Choice'. I really don't remember which one I got first.

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

This is a bit more tricky of a question cause I went to local high school band shows through high school which would be held at practice spaces, abandoned buildings, rented out VFW Halls, etc. The first like, real concert where I had to buy tickets and so on would have been a triple bill of Nirvana, The Breeders, and Come. The most recent show I went to see was one I put on which was Marshmallow Coast, Nightblonde, and Mind Brains.

The Throwing Muses in high school 

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)

Not sure I really have one. I used to be super snobby about music, but years of working in a record store did the opposite to me to where now it's all just whatever. I've always had a soft spot of pre-gangster era hip-hop, and to be honest I don't see why everyone is so anti-Phil Collins. I guess if anything I could probably say Vampire Weekend would be a guilty pleasure.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

I have a bunch of records, but I'm not really a collector. I guess I have to say the item it took me the longest to find maybe which would be the self-released 7" by Throwing Muses. Took me over 10 years to find a copy, so I guess that would be it.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
Lately, I love these two lines by this band Ought which just makes me laugh:
'Tell me what the weather's like/so I don't have to go outside' and 'Wave your hands in the air/that is the universal sign for not having a care.'

The Godmother of Goth

6.Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
I never like meeting heroes really. It can always just go wrong so easily. I guess it depends. I've met most of the bands that mean the most to me and 90% of them have been great, but that other 10%... well, I don't go out of my way, is all. I guess I should find an answer though, so let's just say Siouxsie Sioux or Colin Newman.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Almost anything by V23 or 23 Envelope. Pretty much everything by the Pixies.

'Rat Girl', the muse tells her story

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 

Book is easy 'Rat Girl' by Kristin Hersh which might be the best music book ever.
Movie isn't as easy, maybe 'Bling Ring', 'Spring Breakers', anything by Todd Solondz.

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
Each record means something different. I really can't choose the one that means the most. I think I might be the most proud of the leap between albums of Tunabunny, yet I'm proud of Eureka California from how they have grown as a touring act and professional band, and the one I am most blown away by is getting to release a record with Throwing Muses, which is one of my favorite bands of all time. Honestly, each record and band means something different, so almost each record I am proud of or have been proud of for different reasons.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
I think it means doing things on your own terms without help or money from major labels or the system that supports them.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
Probably looking at a catalog of 300+ releases, still doing the label, and still doing publicity. I might start another label imprint with a focus on packaging or maybe a reissue imprint, but pretty much I'll be 50 and still going to shows, putting on shows, putting out records, designing records, and doing press. I'd like to maybe get more involved doing videos, or possibly sitting in on a recording and producing a record, but for the most part I'll still be doing the same thing more than likely. I'm a lifer.

                                                                                                                                  Zillion thanks Mike!

These Go to 11: Interviewing Wiggum

Fourth interview, and we go back to a musician, one to came from the cold (and imo from one of the best countries of the planet, Iceland, at least one where the word democracy has a real meaning) to join one of the most exciting indie-rock bands of the Spanish scene, Wiggum. These Go to 11!

Halldór Már Stefánsson, Wiggum

Halldór, man on fire

2013 for me is the year (hope it's just the first one & more will follow) of label El Genio Equivocado. And one of the first, most exciting discoveries among their roster has been this quartet from Barcelona. Formed in 2009, and with just two records, one has the feeling they should be on the verge of "becoming big". Otherwise it will be the confirmation this country is deaf (and dumb). Their sophomore album, "La Guerra Mundial", released this year, is a blast full of guitar-driven 90s alternative-rock anthems without losing their melodics talents (these intertwined harmonies). Halldór Már is 1/4 of the band, fuelling the combo with his vocals, guitars and contagious passion live. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

Honestly, I don’t remember. But it’s possible that it was a Duran Duran album...

Abba... glups (in different colours) 

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!) 

First, must have been some local Icelandic group (Sugarcubes included) but I’m pretty sure that first international group I saw was Whitesnake! Last concert: Seeing Austin TV in The Arenal Festival.

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
That would have to be ABBA or The Carpenters, but it’s not very embarrassing for me since I listen to a wide range of music.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
My made in U.S.A. Telecaster.

Mr. Vedder

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

I’m always fascinated by The Beatles' “I Am The Walrus” and Bowie's “Space Oddity”. “Mother” by Lennon and “Blue Valentines” by Tom Waits make me cry but my favorite has to be Pink Floyd's “Wish You Were Here”.

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Eddie Vedder (again), David Bowie and, last but not least, Prince! Yet a supper with Tom Waits might be interesting...

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Surfer Rosa by The Pixies (these questions are hard!!)

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)
Comic: The Watchmen

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
I like to think that my best is yet to come but the first song I wrote for my debut album is somewhat special to me: "Twisted Minds".

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Indie means being independent. Means you can do whatever, as they say in Spain, comes out of your balls. Not having to change anything for market reasons. It also means, in most cases, little money...

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
10 years older and hopefully still here.

Zillion thanks Halldór!

These Go to 11: Interviewing EardrumsPop

For our third interview, we move from musicians (after Astrid Wiezell, aka Northern Spies, and Vasco Batista, aka Big Summer) to the man who started EardrumsPop.Yes, a personal music hero. These Go to 11!

Knut, EardrumsPop

Knut, indiepop superhero

How many times EardrumsPop has been featured in this blog? Did you know I run a formal petition & campaign to make the label win the Nobel Prize for their contribution to mankind's well-being & good-taste? Any indiepop lover with ears knows that each time this label announces a new EPop release great music is awaiting us. Do you want to know who started the netlabel & still runs it today along Stefan, Tim and Silja? Coming from Norway, our own Batman, making justice for indiepop on the blogosphere, is Knut B. Lindbjør, and here are his answers.
 
1. First record that you bought (be honest)

The first record I bought was actually a cassette tape, and I got it when I bought my first cassette player. The tape has indeed been a very influential one for my taste in music. It was a compilation of new wave bands, and included several songs and bands I have much love for even today. My first vinyl record was probably something by Elvis or Beatles or Kiss. I can't remember it as well as that first cassette tape. My taste in music was as varied then as it is today! In 10 years time, will you be asking people about their first mp3 or the first song they streamed on Spotify? :-)

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

I think my first concert was an outdoor one with A-Ha in my hometown of Tromsø, Norway. Me and my friends played in synthpop-bands at the time, and I think all of us only had our eyes on the synth gear of Magne Furuholmen throughout the concert. I remember we were impressed that he seemed to play everything live, and not much seemed to be on sequencers. The last concert was last week, actually. It was an acoustic concert with the Norwegian singer/songwriter Richard Holmsen in Drammen, Norway. A wonderful night! He's good.

Explanation needed Knut!

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)

Not embarrassing at all! I have lots of guilty pleasures, and I am proud of them all. My daughter introduces me to all these boybands and hits of today, and I actually like One Direction. They do have some really catchy songs! I am also a part-time hiphop fan, especially when I am out walking. And Elvis is still cool. And Duran Duran and Bananarama and Bronski Beat. I could go on and on and on!

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
I am not a collector at all, but I think I must say the compilation "Shadow Factory" by Sarah Records, or the early Creation Records compilations "Doing it for the Kids" and "Doing God's Work". The reason is mainly because they had a huge influence on me at the time, and have shaped me musically.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

I would have to say Kraftwerk's "Pocket Calculator" or any of Cocteau Twins' lyrics. :-)

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
There are not many musicians that I find so interesting that I would like to meet them in person, but I think Kristin Hersh sounds like an interesting person, and maybe I would like to meet Martin Gore as well - but only if he would show me around his studio and let me watch when he makes music.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
It's not easy to pick one. Impossible, I would say, but let's try. It will be "ONE OF my favourite artworks", not "THE favourite artwork". One of the artworks I have dreamt myself into the most, is probably Yo La Tengo's "And then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out". It's beautiful. I usually fall for illustration-kind of cover art, but this one is very special to me. From more modern bands, I really like the artworks on The Leisure Society's releases. The art on Golden Fable's releases are also outstanding.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)

Books. Rob Sheffield - "Love Is a Mixtape". 

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
I think it has to be the "Between Two Waves" compilation. It became much bigger - and much better - than we dared to hope for. It also means a lot to me, because it was the start of the label as a team-based project, and I started working with people who mean a lot to me today, - Stefan, Tim, Leena and later Silja.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)

I hate serious questions! The word indie does not mean much to me, and I think I mainly use it as a name for a very wide genre. A long time ago, it meant "independent from the major labels", but today, - I don't know. I don't like the mentality that often goes hand in hand with the word indie. "We're indie, and we're so much better than the major-label-shit-bands". I care about good music, not where it has been released. We at EardrumsPop are probably very indie, if you use the word as "independent", but mostly because we can do whatever we want. That has kind of become an internal slogan for us. It's a creative freedom that we really appreciate. We have no deals with anyone, we are not limited by money and we don't have to please anyone other than ourselves. We hope we make a lot of our listeners happy, though!

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I am myopic. I can't see that long.

Zillion thanks Knut!