Hey there, yes I think that’s where they originated.  I’ve only seen the imagery used two other times, but I wonder if there are any others.

This is the first post tracking some ideas towards a new piece of work that I hope to develop, coinciding with the analogue TV transmitters being switched off across London on the 18th (?)April 2012. 

I’ve always found TV interesting as a medium.  Until widespread internet access in developed countries (because of course there are plenty of places on earth that don’t have easy access to reliable, high-speed internet) became the norm it seemed that TV had a monopoly on its capacity to diseminate information to a huge number of people.  It is constantly maligned as creating apathy or perpetuating ethnic, gender and class stereotypes, it is also seen as generating feelings of hysteria amongst its more credulous viewers. 

On the other hand there are plenty of instances where TV has been challenging or downright radical, I’m thinking here of a few very disparate examples such as Our Friends In The North or early Channel 4 programming (some of the best of which can be found on UBUweb or most university film libraries) and also recent series such as HBO’s The Wire.

Right..here are a few things I’ve had in mind at the start, some songs that have come to mind in relation to TV

Maybe it’s an obvious thing to start with but it was the first that came to mind, I remember hearing this at school and thinking how well it captured that sense of idleness that watching TV can incite - “you will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out”.

I listened to Nation of Millions again recently and this was a song that used to stand out from earlier listens.  I’ve always been really frustrated with the severely mysogynistic tone of it but also interested in how it talks of TV as a distraction from far more important issues.

Earlier this week I watched a really well researched documentary about improvisation in music.  It was written and presented by Derek Bailey and broadcast on Channel 4 in 1992.  You can watch it now on UBUweb.

I felt it warranted a post on this here esteemed online publication because there were so many sections that prompted debate.  In section III Bailey is doing a talking head bit alongside a short excerpt of his playing.  At about 36’ he talks about improvised music being far removed from regular rhythm/harmony/melody - i.e. conventionally structured - music.  I think this is really interesting mainly because there are so many similarities between the two. 

Elements of improvisation can be found in nearly all music on the planet.  Even the most insipid, derivative pop - although rigidly structured and rehearsed in its production and performance - will usually have elements of improvisation in its conception. 

The short clip of Bailey playing guitar is also fascinating.  Although I sometimes find that music difficult to listen to, I imagine his playing like that of an alien who is learning to play the guitar but has no knowledge of previous music made using it - like someone who has the instrument but is having to imagine how it is supposed to sound.  Seeing this clip also reminds me of why I’ve always been more interested in playing bass rather than the challenge of playing guitar.  The guitar has so much baggage due to it’s habitual use in pop, rock, jazz and other areas of music which tends to give it a somewhat fixed aesthetic, narrowing the scope of what can be imagined as possible. 

Nevertheless there are lots of exciting bands and individuals making original music, which challenge this ‘nothing original can be made with a guitar’ thought, making it much more compelling…

Yes Matt!

A few things are in-store.  I think this year I’d like to do a great deal of research and writing but on the other side of that I’m excited about doing more live work. 

I seemed to spend lots of time making videos in 2011, I think more immediate work will be a good contrast to this.

Richard said I should make easy-listening music so I’ve been having a go at that too.

And of course The Printernet are going to be very busy!

What are you going to do in 2012?