From the Erased Tapes label. Gorgeous melody:
Erased Tapes
For those of you who like Sigur Ros or music that is completely transportive then this post’s for you…
Earlier this week I discovered the most amazing music released through a small, independent record label called Erased Tapes. Finding this label was actually one of the things that galvanised me to set up a blog – I heard their stuff and immediately wanted to tell the world, to grab people by the collar and tell them about this amazing music that has had such an indelible and immediate impact upon me.
Some people call this kind of music post rock (horrible, awful term) others call it cinematic music and there might be something in that as much of their output is fast becoming another soundtrack to my life. Not that my life is actually cinematic but you know what I mean. Anyway, all I know is that it’s some of the most haunting, beautiful and life affirming music that I’ve ever heard (especially on one label) and just listening to it makes me glad to be alive.
I’ll be posting some video and track highlights but you can actually download the label’s sampler collections (Erased Tapes Collection I and II) for free and I urge you to try them, if I could I’d grab you by that collar and take you there! Just visit:
Identity of words
So, after introducing myself I thought my first post proper should relate in some way to the power of words and identity because these are the two things that seem to me to be of almost critical relevance to something like a blog. And so here are two short poems that deal with these themes in ways which really struck a chord…
Somebody Else
If I was not myself, I would be somebody else.
But actually I am somebody else.
I have been somebody else all my life.
It’s no laughing matter going about the place
all the time being somebody else:
people mistake you; you mistake yourself.
–
This Poem…
This poem is dangerous: it should not be left
Within the reach of children, or even of adults
Who might swallow it whole, with possibly
Undesirable side-effects. If you come across
An unattended, unidentified poem
In a public place, do not attempt to tackle it
Yourself. Send it (preferably, in a sealed container)
To the nearest centre of learning, where it will be rendered
Harmless, by experts. Even the simplest poem
May destroy your immunity to human emotions.
All poems must carry a Government warning. Words
Can seriously affect your heart…
Why
Hello
Why am I here and what will you find?
Quite simply, this is my little hub of memories – a place to save and share the things I love; the things which inspire and move me or that make me laugh and smile. There will be everyday things but also music (lots and lots of music) poems and aphorisms, books, memories, family and friends and perhaps something that you who may not know me might find curious or of interest. Let’s wait and see.
In the real world I work as a consultant advising corporates on arts sponsorship strategy and cultural institutions on major fundraising campaigns. But this is not a professional blog – I have nothing to sell here but knowing what I do might illuminate some of what you find here.
Feel free to leave feedback or to get in touch and leave posts and links to things you want to share with me – it’s why I’m here.
J
memoryhouse 