The London Scene and Euro Music at Large
December 16th, 2007
By Carl Carpenter
It’s a big world outside. Terrific new bands from every corner of the world pop up each day. Keeping up with all the hot new bands in your home city, let alone entire continents at large, can be maddening.
Often times I’ll think about all the American bands with whom I’m currently enthused. I realize that, as good as they are, many will soon be forgotten. Given that only a handful of foreign bands hit it big each year in the States, I conclude that an unimaginable number of delightful songs will never reach my ears. It’s with this in mind that I’ve started this blog.
As a student at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, I’ll be traveling to London for Spring semester, 2008. I’ve secured an internship with one of the top booking agencies in the city, and will be working for them throughout my stay. Given my location in the epicenter of world music, and my unique work situation, I plan to acquaint myself on as many worthwhile London and global artists as possible.
This blog will serve as a resource in the endless quest for life’s perfect soundtrack. There’ll be artist and song recommendations, popular music videos, personal anecdotes, concert and CD reviews, artist interviews, and more. You might not like it all, but given my diverse, and nearly all-inclusive tolerance for every genre, you’re guaranteed to never leave this blog empty handed.
Stay ahead of the curve, rediscover a forgotten classic, and find a new favorite. It’s The London Scene and Euro Music at Large.
To get things started, here’s some sample material:
Classic UK artists and song:Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - “Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me)”
Classic UK artist and video: The Who - “A Quick One While He’s Away”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oamahR97xpA
* This 9 minute track, off the Who’s second album, was Pete Townsend’s first crack at conceptually based song writing. This performance, from the Rock N’ Roll Circus, is further verification that The Who were unparalleled showmen, in their time and ours.
Recent Classic Album: Kasabian.
* In your face Brit rock attitude, a flair for electronics, and smartly layered harmonies. One of the best of the new millennium.
Current Live Sensation: Enter Shikari
* Though they don’t take kindly to the name, Transcore might be a fitting description for the sound these four blokes have created. Their live shows are notoriously hectic, raved out mosh pits. Heralded by NME for their innovative sound, they opted to release their own debut, despite several lucrative offers from all the majors.
