I BUY MUSIC

Ok, so we've all done it. We've all downloaded something for free. We've all got a big batch of music of one of our mates. We've all borrowed something from the library, ripped it, and taken it back. I'm not a complete stranger to the odd bit of 'liberation'. But this is getting serious. You see, you like music. You like music of a certain standard. You even like the artists. Some of you, even have feelings for the artist. How do you think we, as artists, can make music if there is no money in it? Are we, by default, expected to suffer for our art? Does that make it more true? You see, we live in what is known as reality. Money doesn't float down from the heavens. Bills aren't paid by some patron. Food doesn't fill our fridges miraculously. So we have to work. And when we work, we're not making the music you like. We're not giving it top priority, because we can't.

I buy music.

Maybe you should?

SIAN, MY HERO

Why, when you type ‘Sian Evans’ into google, does a jewellery designer pop up first?

…Most of you will be thinking, ‘who is Sian Evans?’, even those who are familiar with her music. Sian is the lead singer of Kosheen, drum and bass/dance band extrodinaire, whose career peaked in the early 2000’s, with hits such as ‘Catch’, ‘Hide you’, and ‘Hungry’.  It seems though that Sian prefers to ‘hide’ behind another name, as she is now in a collaboration called ‘Melopark’, which is so totally different from Kosheen yet the thread which I suspect is the most important element of both sounds, is the voice.
 It’s that voice which rings out, so true, so unique, above all other popstrels. You rarely hear distinction like that in the charts, if feels like one insipid rant on to another. But Sian is different. String willed, feisty, I doubt she is a pushover in the studio. She definitely reminds me of myself, especially in this article quote :

“She has talent, humour and life experience on her side and being the female focal point in a male band (with `techie boys' Markee Substance aka Mark Morrison and Darren `Decoder' Beale) she's a musical force to be reckoned with. ``I'd like to think I'm easy to get along with, but I am strong-willed and I don't suffer fools,'' said Sian, who admits to ``taking no sh**.'' “
``Sometimes the only way to get these boys to listen is to give them what they're not expecting. You can reason 'til your head falls off, but I do raise my voice when it's necessary. And, believe me, it is necessary sometimes.''

Being female, musical, hanging round with techie boys, ain’t no picnic, believe me. But you put up a fight, and you get heard, because ultimately you deserve respect. Sometimes you have to go off and do your own thing(Hence my album, ‘Lately’), but it’s great collaborating on drum and bass projects with the boys....love you boys!!!

Sian, would you agree?

She may hide her name, but she definitely doesn’t hide her talents. Sian, I salute you!