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Month: July 2013

Interview: Baillie Walsh – Springsteen & I

“I think Wrecking Ball is some of his best work, and that from a man who has had a 40 year career is pretty inspiring. For me it was a no brainer.” Director Baillie Walsh recalls how the chance to make a film about the Boss was just too good to pass up. “I was in the middle of writing my next feature film and they called me up and asked if I’d make this film, I said give me an hour to think about it and within 2 minutes I got back on the phone and said sign me up. I thought it was a really interesting concept. I hadn’t seen a film like this and I thought it was a really unique way to make a film about an artist, who despite being in his sixties is still making music that is incredibly relevant.”

“Funnily enough I didn’t come to the project as a Bruce fan, but I am leaving it as a great admirer of the man and the music”. Springsteen & I features enhanced footage from the 40 years of Bruce live performances, with intimate black and white videos to full HD shot clips from the infamous Hard Rock Calling festival. “We approached Bruce for access to the archive footage and amazingly they gave us permission. They said we like the idea, you’ve got access to the music and we don’t any editorial contribution, we don’t the record company get involved – make your film and let us see what you come up with. Luckily, they really liked it. There are lots of laughs in this film; I think we all know who Bruce is. He isn’t supported by Microsoft; there are no skeletons in the closet. It’s a charming portrait of the man through the fans.”

This type of recognition for an artist is one few will ever experience, but as ever the Boss accepted it with grace and humility. “He really liked it; I think he was self-conscious at first, perhaps a bit awkward to watch a film praising himself from start to finish. Bruce has such a great relationship with his fans and subsequently has a great interest in what they have to say.”

With homemade videos making up the bulk of the film, Baillie was impressed by how seriously the fans took it. “We had over 2000 contributors send films in, and to be honest we didn’t know what we were going to get, but surprisingly we didn’t get any crazy ones, most had a story and were very eloquent and well made.”

“We didn’t get celebrities, we could have done but I didn’t want it to be a celebrity talking head kind of thing, it’s much more regular people telling genuine stories about someone who means a hell of a lot to them”.

“You could make this type of film about another performer but I don’t think it would work anywhere near as well, he has a very particular relationship with his fans. Bruce is about heart, and is a very decent and fundamentally honest man – he’s remained true to himself. The key thing is that Dylan doesn’t have this relationship with his fans, Bowie doesn’t have this either, no other artist has this bond. I think people simply trust Bruce Springsteen, which in this world we live in is very rare.”

Although Springsteen captured hearts through the radio, it’s in the live environment where the Boss really dominates. “I saw him live in New Jersey when I met him which was a really great experience. Do I think he’s the greatest love performer? There’s a question, he’s obviously brilliant. What’s great about his performance is the interaction he has with his audience and there is no other performer that has that. On that level he is the greatest live performer. I think he’s got as much time left as he wants, he’ll still be doing it when he’s 70 I reckon.”

Springsteen & I is in cinemas this July http://www.springsteenandi.com/

Read my review of the film here https://mancunion.com/2013/07/24/film-springsteen-i/

Film: Springsteen & I

“Remember all the movies, Terry, we’d go see. Trying to learn how to walk like the heroes we thought we had to be”.  It seems like things have gone completely full circle for the New Jersey kid done good, now idolized in his own movie Springsteen & I – as for Terry, I think he’s still waiting for a bus on 82nd Street.

It’s been a cool 40 years since the eloquent, elaborate and eclectic Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. introduced Springsteen as the next big thing on the music scene. At 63 time has done little to halt the mighty force of Bruce and his gang and despite the losses the E Street Band has suffered he is still widely regarded as the greatest live performer, period.

The concept of Springsteen & I is utterly unique and much more than a glossy highlight reel of past glories. Comprising of home videos and grainy archive footage it really is a triumph that the film has translated so well to the big screen. By no means a Hollywood production, Springsteen & I is a charming affair, featuring extremely articulate accounts shot by the fans themselves.

The biggest relief to Boss fans is that this isn’t an hour of overwhelming “I love Bruce, he is so amazing” stories. The tales are humbling, even romantic at times. Springsteen is in a class of his own when it comes to writing about the self and relationships, and it’s these qualities that create this personable bubble which makes can make it feel like he is singing solely to you. The more emotional tales are mixed with the humorous, showcasing the light hearted side to the man and even the dirty (a little lecture on cunilungus springs to mind)

In its entirety the film hits the 2 hour mark, with TV excerpts of Bruce’s infamous cut short Hard Rock Calling gig shown after the main credits have rolled. Neither rare, nor exclusive (only to cinema screens) these clips feel unnecessary and act as an intermission point for some viewers. However the following epilogue is worth the wait, with footage of Bruce meeting those who featured in the movie.

Springsteen & I is like seeing a new born puppy playing with a ball; it evokes warm, comforting emotions and allows fans to immerse themselves in these genuinely heart-warming anecdotes. This is no ego trip, and in actual fact Bruce plays a secondary role to those telling the stories, he is if you like the tie that binds them together. Although it’s likely to be watched predominantly by Springsteen fans, the human element to this film is something that could raise a smile even for those tortured souls dragged along by Boss devotees.

 

Springsteen & I is in cinemas this July http://www.springsteenandi.com/

Read my interview with Director Baillie Walsh here https://mancunion.com/2013/07/25/interveiw-baillie-walsh-springsteen-i/

Album: Kveikur – Sigur Rós

Released June 17, 2013.

XL Recordings

8/10

For an introverted band with shy tendencies, appearances on Jimmy Fallon and The Simpsons would seem to suggest a severe paradigm-shift for Iceland’s Sigur Rós. Coupled with the recent departure of keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson, it comes as no surprise that their musical output has also been subject to drastic changes. Their first album as a three piece, Kveikur couldn’t possibly be further from its ambient predecessor Valtari.

Album-opener ‘Brennisteinn’ (Brimstone) roars to life with distorted, heavy bass and seismic percussion. As its title suggests, the track is a molten concoction of brimstone and fire, sounding like something brewed in the cavernous volcanos that the band’s homeland is so renowned for. A calming brass section sees the song out as the dust of its climactic finale settles. It’s the darkest, most brutal song Sigur Rós have penned, and the most exciting they have sounded for a long time.

Populated with more conventional, shorter songs, Kveikur doesn’t sculpt the same vast and majestic soundscapes as 2002’s ( ), but is no less impressive in its execution.

Those hoping for a whole album of darker songs in the vein of ‘Brennisteinn’ will be disappointed, however. ‘Hrafntinna’ (Obsidian) is a more traditional offering, with metallic, clanging percussion and a soaring chorus delivered in Jónsi’s trademark falsetto. Another outro of funeral-esque horns laden with sorrow ties up the song in a melancholic fashion. This doesn’t last long though, as Orri’s pounding kick pedal introduces ‘Ísjaki’ (Iceberg), the catchiest, most melodic song in the band’s nineteen year history. With a poppy, upbeat sound and an inspired chorus to rival ‘Hoppípolla’ (Hopping into Puddles), it’s an indisputable album highlight. A screeching guitar sound permeating throughout should be jarring, but somehow works in perfect harmony with the rest of the track. It concludes an opening trio of songs that sees the band reach the unfathomable heights set by career-defining albums Ágætis Byrjun and Takk…

The title-track edges towards uncharted territory with a heavily-electronic sound full of distortion. Jónsi’s vocals are delivered in a much lower register with an almost sinister quality, and it boasts the same momentum that carries ‘Brennisteinn’ forward at such blistering pace. However, the band step back into their comfort zone for ‘Rafstraumur’ (Electric Current), another poppy number with bright, colourful melodies reminiscent of Jónsi’s solo project Go. It is rather Sigur-Rós-by-numbers, with a typical crescendo and explosion of sounds, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.

Much like Valtari did with ‘Fjögur Píanó’ (Four Pianos), Kveikur closes with a sparse piano piece, ‘Var’ (Was). It is something of an anti-climax, though, plodding along with none of the delicate charm that made 2012’s ‘Ekki Múkk’ such a moving piece.

This was always going to be an interesting album after losing such an integral figure from the band. Rather than prove the naysayer’s correct though, it has merely established the post-rock trio’s metamorphic qualities. Always evolving, always experimenting, Sigur Rós are true masters of their craft.

Album: Beady Eye – BE

Released 10 June, 2013

Beady Eye, Columbia Records.

6/10

“Liam Gallagher warns off neighbourhood ‘tramp’ who puts crutches in his bin”, “Liam Gallagher ‘tries to ride dog after drinking champagne in London pub’” and “Liam Gallagher nearly killed by blue peanut M&M” are just a selection of NME’s headlines of late. It can only mean one thing. The most outspoken, opinion-polarising frontman in music has a new record to promote.

BE is the follow-up to 2011 debut Different Gear, Still Speeding, an album that didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but was at least more interesting than Oasis’ later derivative work. With TV on the Radio’s David Sitek on production duties this time around, could we actually have on our hands a quality Beady Eye record?

Opening track ‘Flick of the Finger’ seems to suggest so; pounding drums hurtle the track forward like a runaway train, and a prominent brass section layers powerful horns over fierce guitar from Andy Bell. The track closes with a spoken word passage quoting French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat, injecting a dose of drama and bravado. It’s a real statement of intent from the much-criticised band, and opens the album with typical Gallagher swagger. Whilst it’s true that anyone can sound good with a brass band behind them (Robbie Williams’ strangely-listenable Swing When You’re Winning is a prime example), it has to be said that Liam’s vocals are finally delivered with less of that insufferable nasality; it’s the best he’s sounded since Morning Glory.

‘Soon Come Tomorrow’ is another highlight, with a delicate vocal performance that belies his usual rock n’ roll snarl. In fact the track is so pleasantly polished that some rather dubious lyrics can be overlooked, in particular the line where Liam feels the need to offer some respiratory advice: “Breathe in, breathe out and then breathe in again”. Thanks for the reminder.

Elsewhere, the album is unfortunately (but perhaps predictably) padded out with the same forgettable songs that populated its predecessor; ‘Iz Rite’ is as cringe-worthy as the spelling of its title suggests, and ‘Shine a Light’ misses a golden opportunity for a trademark ‘SHEEIIINNEEEE’ howl. ‘Don’t Brother Me’ brings the infamous sibling rivalry back to the forefront, making no effort whatsoever to disguise the message it’s trying to convey: “I’m sick of all your lying / Scheming and your crying”. Liam never was great with subtlety. The song itself is instantly forgettable and, clocking in at over 7 minutes, it suffers from the same over-indulgence that Oasis’ 1997 album Be Here Now was slated for.

While still bereft in originality and severely lacking in the lyrics department, the album is unquestionably an improvement over their debut. Little by little, the band are moving in the right direction.

‘Reward System’ for Students’ Union volunteers

The results of the latest ‘All Student Vote’ marked a historical moment for the University of Manchester’s Student Union. Students voted for a ‘reward card scheme’ for Union volunteers. I may be bias as I came up with the idea, but I think that if well developed and promoted the system could revolutionise the way things work in our union.

What’s the point? Call me big-headed, deluded or insane but I believe this system could actually make the organisation become the heart of student life in Manchester. For most people the Union is just a place to grab a coffee or buy some stationery but not to ‘be a part of’. If you think about it, when promoting a vacancy within a society committee or hunting people to join student media the magic words used are ‘it looks really good on your CV!’ as if everything in University-life is either for building a CV or getting hammered. But the sense of being a student together with its pride has lost its identity somewhere along the road. We do not feel like we belong to the organisations we are part of but it is more like an attempt to accomplish a series of projects and organise a few socials with no real sense of continuity.

The life in our Union is reflected by the way we rush through university, very sociable first year, we try to study hard and party for the other 2 years and then we apply for jobs hoping to secure the one of our dream. This scheme would aim to bring back the spirit of ‘student traditions’ still felt in many Universities throughout Europe and in some very traditional British institutions, such as the colleges in Oxbridge.

The points have the function to reward the people who dedicate time and effort for the benefit of other students that don’t get reimbursed in cash. The idea is to give something back, whether it’s free vouchers and discounts to the Union’s services or organising a series of free socials (staff parties, volunteer’s balls, outings and so on) creating a community within a community for people who make our Union what it is.

The idea will need to be developed by next year’s executive team but the way I envision it is similar to the ‘air miles system’ in which you get a different card (basic, bronze, silver or gold) depending on how often you fly. In this case it would not be a question of flying but taking certain responsibilities or committing to carry out activities for the benefit of the Union on a regular basis.  Based on the amount of responsibilities given and depending on the rough estimate of hours actively worked for the Union every week, you will get the card you deserve for the length of time you take the responsibility for. The Swedish word ‘Lagom’, which translated means ‘the right measure’, would be the perfect name for the system as everyone should get the amount of benefits they deserve and use them within reason. For example, if my card gives me free coffee, it means I can have as much as I want, but running round campus filling everyone’s cup would be surpassing ‘the right measure’.

People might say ‘expensive and pointless’. I disagree. Think of the potential benefits of having a more active Union; more people involved means more activities and services offered for the benefit of us all. Also, by rewarding people in services offered by the Union itself, we could increase the number of students using them, ‘since I have a free lunch at the Union I’ll convince my friends to come with me instead of going to Subway as we normally do’.

There are benefits for RAG, student media and societies as well. By having more people actively involved in organising events we will be able to improve them and make more of them, and we will be able to increase the number of contributors to our student media.

Some people have criticised this idea saying it ‘stops real volunteers from being true volunteers’ to which my answer is that anyone is free not to sign-up for a reward card. Besides, those who do would not do it for financial gain as it would not pay much compared to a regular job. Others have pointed out that this system would take away jobs from the student union’s workforce, to which I can say that this would not happen as it would defeat the point of the system itself, that aims to get more people involved and expand the Union’s activities and not cut down.

This is just the first in a series of ideas that I plan to forward to the future assemblies, part of a broader vision of how we could offer a richer student life across our spread-out campus.

So if during Freshers’ Week you hear people saying ‘get involved with us and you will get amazing free socials and incredible benefits’ you will figure that something might be changing in our Union. Could it be possible that people actually start thinking about enjoying student life instead of constantly looking for extra bullet-points for a CV? If this happens, remember that you heard it here first.

Peter Chinnock – Project 365

Earlier this year, 2nd year Architecture student Peter Chinnock won The Mancunion’s first Photographer of the Year Award for three images depicting ‘Life on the Oxford Road Corridor’.

Here The Mancunion showcases some of the young photographer’s best work.

The following images are taken from a series entitled ‘Project 365’. During this project Peter looked to document his time at university and develop his technique by taking a different photograph everyday for a year. The result is a series of images of street life in Manchester which display both tremendous skill, and sensitivity to his subjects.

Speaking about ‘Project 365’, Peter said:
“Last year I did a photo project in which I took a photo a day for a year. Over this time I developed a real passion for street photography and street portraits. I see it as a way of telling stories, setting scenes and understanding areas and communities. I found myself walking to and from uni last year a great deal so I could get a photo for that day. Over this time I built up quite a range of different portraits and scenes. There are a great deal of homeless along Oxford Road. I talked to a fair few, all very pleasant people with great stories to tell and all very happy to have their photo taken. I enjoyed the conversations much more than I imagined, it really helped with my confidence too. 99% of people are more than happy to have their photos taken. They just need to be asked!”

You can look forward to seeing more of Peter’s work in The Mancunion next year as he’ll be taking up the position of Photography Editor in 2013/14.

For more pictures and details about how to get in contact with Peter head to his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/peterchinnock/