nothing is underground anymore

Great music blog from Simon Reynolds here, who argues that the internet has blurred the lines between what is seen as "underground", and what is seen as "mainstream". Everybody now has access to a wide variety of music at the touch of a button, which means that if you so wish, you can go and easily discover new music from the comfort of your own bedroom. In previous generations, mine included, there were often physical barriers to entry into an underground scene - either by virtue of not being old enough to get into clubs or gigs, or simply being too far away from a decent record shop, so that it became physically impossible to listen (or even know about) music which was not played on heavy rotation on the radio.

It meant that there had to be a big psychological step for any person who wanted to become part of any scene, a step into the unknown, or at the least having the bottle to go into that musty smelling record store and ask for an obscure name of a band that you had jotted down on a notebook while listening to John Peel. That barrier is simply not there anymore, and as soon as a genre has a name, you can simply google it and find out what exactly it sounds like without handing over some of your hard-earned cash.

'Kidults' living with their parents longer

The Office for National Statistics have released a study saying that many young adults in their mid-20s and early 30s, are increasingly postponing the transition to adulthood.

It seems that 1/3 of them say they are still living at home because they cannot afford to get a toehold on the property ladder by buying or renting. But that means that 2/3rds of them are staying through choice.

I find this very strange. I couldn't wait to leave home, and I saw it as an important part of growing up - having my own space, being independent, and being responsible to no-one but myself. And frankly, I saw the people who stayed at home as dullards and a little bit weird to be honest: why would you stay with your parents, and abide by the rules set down for you when you were a teenager, when you could live by yourself, and do exactly as you pleased.

It was made easier for me, as I left home for university, but even once my course had finished, I moved back to my mum's for only 5 or 6 months, while I found a job and got some money together. Once I had enough money to afford a deposit and month's rent, I moved out. Yes, there were some tough times, and yes, I couldn't always afford to eat properly, but that is part and parcel of gaining independence, and growing up. You make your mistakes when you are young, so that you learn how to budget properly, you learn how to cook, you learn how to fend for yourselves. It was a greater education than anything else I have done, and I can't help but feel that those people who stay at home are not only isolating themselves from the joys of living by yourself, but also willingly infantilising themselves.

stewart lee interview

I am a long time fan of Stewart Lee, from way back when he popped onto TV with Richard Herring with Fist of Fun. They then provided great Sunday morning hangover entertainment with TMWRNJ. An interview in the Guardian provides a fascinating insight into how and why he chooses what to write his stand-up material about. One interesting thing is the following quote:

It's interesting to me that apparently distasteful comments from the right against weak targets tend to draw a lot less media fire than apparently distasteful comments from the left against hard targets. That's one of the threads that runs through the show and that people hopefully pick up on."

A very valid point, although in fairness, the same is also true vice versa. I hate the shit that comes out of littlejohn, davidson's etc mouths, but maybe I just notice it more because I am already looking to be offended. The only other option would be to have no comedy, and no targeting of anything - which would make for rather boring comedy and life in general.

Haven't posted in a while

I realise the irony of this, given the name of the blog, but I haven't been inspired to write anything. In a couple of cases, I dipped my toe into the water, but the post ran out of steam, and now they sit, unfinished and sulking on my blog dashboard.

I shall endeavour to write about something every day, it's not like I don't have opinions about absolutely everything, it's just a question of writing it all down. Damn my laziness.