Category Archives: Music

Brat

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

You just have to applaud Charli XCX.

‘Brat’ has really caught the zeitgeist of summer 2024.

And there is a lot to discuss regarding the cultural side of it, which appears to be the gift that keeps on giving.

But I’ll start with the music.

It’s really satisfying to see a pop album do so well which boasts a level of sophistication that a musician like me can appreciate. The album sounds fantastic, and it does not shy away from experimentation and fun. It’s uncompromising in that respect and garish in a way that’s really captivating, not least represented by the green cover.

This has been a feature of Charli for as long as I’ve been listening to her, starting with Pop 2. There’s this tension that she has between a desire to be an iconic pop star but also stay true to her underground routes, but I think she plays that to her strengths, especially on ‘Charli’ (2019) and now ‘Brat’.

Lyrically, the album as a whole has multiple dimensions to it. Much has been made of what ‘Brat’ defines, in Charli’s words it’s ‘the girl who stays up late, wakes up late, parties, is kind of messed up and carries cigarettes with a bic lighter’. However, you listen to the album as a whole, and there’s much more humanity at play, there is insecurity, vulnerability and guilt. ‘So I’ (possibly my favourite track) is a devastating track in honour of SOPHIE where Charli admits things so honest, that it hits hard. ‘Girl, so confusing’ is a playful track that explores overthinking and a real lack of confidence in her relationships with other women. This album is victorious in its integrity as well as its execution.

Now there is the cultural angle which everyone from newspapers to Jeremy Vine have hilariously been trying to make sense of. Marina Hyde and Richard Osmand covered this excellently on their brilliant ‘The Rest is Entertainment’ podcast. As a male, I don’t particularly think it’s anything I can offer insight on, other than what appears to be happening is that the ideology of ‘Brat summer’ is giving license for people to enjoy themselves and that it’s okay to be a bit messy. And unlike other cultural shifts previously such as the ladette movement of the 90s, this is all done on the terms of women themselves.

Then there is ‘Kamala is brat’. Who knew that this would extend into the American political contest a month ago?

An artist’s political endorsement is always arguably risky, but when it’s the choice between female productive rights, and a misogynistic, racist, kleptocratic wannabe dictator, why wouldn’t you lend your voice to the cause?

So I’m enjoying the album a lot. And I’m so pleased to see that in 2024, music of this nature is a driving force in the culture.

Last year’s highlighter colour was pink, this year was green. It’s anyone’s guess as to what it will be next year.

Remedy – 5th April

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

My new single ‘Remedy’ will be released on 5th April via @rexiusrecords

It’s one of the most joyful tracks I’ve written and I’m so excited to share it.

Spotify subscribers can pre-save the track via the following link: https://ffm.to/remedy-pre

Artwork by @myhappylee_darleeou

Head Above Water – Now available on CD.

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

Happy Bandcamp Friday everyone!

Today is an extra special day because I am able to announce the physical release of my new album ‘Head Above Water’.

You can now order a copy of the album as a beautiful CD Digipak with an 8 page booklet featuring lyrics and individual artwork for each track. Perfect for those of you who, like me, still like to listen to CDs chronologically and follow along with the lyrics of each track.

You can order your copy here: https://ryanmarkelliott.bandcamp.com/album/head-above-water

This is one of the best ways that individual artists can be supported and as always I am grateful to those of you who choose to engage with our music this way.

Warm wishes,

Ryan

Tool – Live at Manchester

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

It’s been a long while since I’ve seen a show of this scale.

Tool have been on my ‘to go see live’ list for years and I’ve never had the opportunity until now. I believe the last time they played live was early 2010s with the exception of download 19.

I had seen the bootlegs and some live footage and saw the audio visual element which is astonishing but as can be expected, nothing compares to being there in person.

They started by using a gauze curtain with thin textured lines coming down. The work that went into the screens and lights was incredible and about 4 songs in they opened it up.

This is a major part of the experience but the essential element is the playing, which is at the highest possible level.

The Tool band members are in their 50s and their experience and dedication was on full display. They were totally in control and played with so much precision, it was unbelievable. Maynard. Adam, Justin and Danny are all so damn good at their instruments. The sound is unbelievable too. Adam’s combination of Diezel Amps and Gibson guitars absolutely screams whilst Danny is a drumming octopus with loads of nice touches including pitched percussion and a modular synthesiser. Maynard sings in the dark like a ghostly figure and Justin hits the bass hard whilst interacting with the crowd the most.

It was overwhelming…and loud!

But what made it even better was that the audience of 20,000 honoured the band’s request not to have phones out during the show until Maynard granted people request to take their ‘stupid effing cell phones’ at the end.

For far too long, being at a show is about the audience saying they are there than just allowing oneself to be experiencing music in the moment.

It was so good to see music of this level of sophistication being enjoyed by so many people but then again, these guys have been at it for decades, and what we witnessed was decades of work.

It gives me hope. So much music today is blamcmanche and quite frankly banal to the point of total irrelevance and swarming in a desperate toxic sea of approval chasing social media crap, but not all. And it’s about time we start nurturing younger acts who want to make music at this level.

Tool inspires me to maintain integrity, stick to my musical instincts and be ambitious.

If you get the chance to see them live, do it!

Today’s Music Business vs. Artistic Vision

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

I just read the Bob Lefsetz article on Today’s Music Business.

The short of it is that data on social media dictates the business above any of the music. Record labels capitalise on that which already gains traction.

And usually what gains traction needs that viral train wreck, shock value so it’s instantly shareable and can catch fire.

That’s not music anywhere near in it’s full art form.

But labels, don’t care about that, they care about money.

So, if you are keen on garnering as much attention as possible, getting mindshare and being talked about so much it leads to a major deal and beaucoup bucks, get cracking on with your short hooks on Tik Tok.

Otherwise, the better approach is to accept the reality of the situation, then ignore the business trends of today and steer your own path with your own vision.

You might not make any money at all, but you’ll be fulfilled knowing that you’ve made that which you want to make without pandering to any of the lower common denominator nonsense.

You might build an audience, a small viable audience that appreciates you for who you are and respect your integrity and willingness to dance on the edge. And if Kevin Kelly is right, 1000 true fans is all you need to get somewhere.

Dancing on the edge of failure.

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

There’s a common thread with records I regard as my favourite releases of the year.

And it is that they take risks.

Take ‘Pang’ by Caroline Polachek, where the album is full of wild production choices, insane use of vocals both in lead and accompaniment and unique sound worlds.

Or ‘Sawayama’ by Rina Sawayama that sounds as equally influenced by Nu Metal as it does Britney Spears and unapologetically tackles themes of dysfunctional families.

Nothing makes my eyes roll quite like music that plays it safe. Predictable choices through and through with structure, sounds, and performance.

That’s what the radio seems to lap up, and the majors for the most part. There’s a refusal by many to take risks and choices made to cater for what people think other people like.

But what I’m interested in is bold, courageous creativity that doesn’t pander for anything else. Uncompromising artistic vision made with integrity.

That means it might not work, most of the time it won’t, but when it does, that’s where the real magic happens!

Coming Soon…Live at Ratio Studios

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

One of the most frustrating things for musicians during this whole era has been the inability to get out and play in front of audiences.

Restrictions where we live have even made it hard for us to get rehearsals together.

After months of planning, myself, Miff and Jiff recorded a full live Kinky Wizzards set comprising of our last two albums.

We had an absolute ball making it and was in an incredible space, and we look forward to sharing it with you soon.

To the wire

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

My mind always boggles at the fact that Peter Jackson didn’t see the final cut of Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King until the premier, simply because they were still doing a few final edits.

The difference between work and art is that when you work you want to do the bare minimum, when you do art, you want to do everything possible.

The latter is an amazing bug, but the amount of times I’ve agonised over a piece of music, bounced, rebounced and then still finding things to tweak!

It’s sometimes good having a deadline imposed upon you. The pressure, the adrenaline and the need to get it done all sets you off on a relentless mission to get everything done in the precious amount of time you have.

Finding something that you can commit to, give your all and spend a phenomenal amount of energy on…is a blessing.