Music

An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times. I think that is true of painters, sculptors, poets, musicians. How can you be an artist and not reflect the times? That to me is the definition of an artist.

Nina Simone

Thursday, 07 March 2019 14:46

The Making of a Two Tone Nation

Written by Mark Perryman

in Music

40 years on, Mark Perryman celebrates the release of the debut single from The Specials On the 3rd May 1979, Margaret Thatcher leads the Tories to a crushing General Election defeat of Labour. The next morning I pop into the small independent record shop tucked away by the platforms at…

Tuesday, 20 November 2018 22:48

Rise Up Higher than the Tower Blocks: Bread and Roses Songwriting and Spoken Word Award 2018

Written by Mollie Brown

in Music

The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) and Culture Matters are pleased to announce the second edition of their successful Bread and Roses Songwriting and Spoken Word Award.The Musicians' Union is also sponsoring and supporting the Award. The Award is an example of cultural democracy - the struggle for a more democratic…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Monday, 19 November 2018 11:32

Ordinary Giants: a review and an interview with Robb Johnson

in Music

Written by Chris Guiton

Chris Guiton reviews a great new album by Robb Johnson called Ordinary Giants, and interviews the man himself. The release of Ordinary Giants underlines Robb Johnson’s ability to write songs of great sensitivity which address big themes through the prism of ordinary lives. Based on the life of his father,…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Saturday, 17 November 2018 18:29

Ride of the Red Valkyries: Wagner, Marxism and ‘The Ring’

in Music

Written by Sean Ledwith

Sean Ledwith examines how a dialectical approach that recognises the contradictions of Wagner’s ‘Ring’ might help us prepare for capitalism’s Gotterdammerung in the 21st century. In May 1876, as part of his search for spa-based treatments for his carbuncles, Karl Marx found himself in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth. The…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Sunday, 16 September 2018 12:45

'Get on the road and in the streets': interview with David Rovics

in Music

Written by Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

Reuben Bard-Rosenberg caught up with renowned radical songwriter David Rovics to talk music and politics. David is about to kick off his worldwide Musical History Tour - details of gigs are at the end of this interview. Your shows in England are part of your Worldwide Musical History Tour and…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Monday, 10 September 2018 20:16

He sang on behalf of the people: Victor Jara, 1932-1973

in Music

Written by Jenny Farrell

Jenny Farrell memorialises Victor Jara. Forty-five years ago, on 11 September 1973, the Chilean military under the command of General Pinochet and backed by the USA, overthrew the democratically elected, socialist government of Salvador Allende. Allende had won the election in September 1970, and was faced even before taking office…

Allende Pinochet

Wednesday, 05 September 2018 14:14

Barnstormer 1649 – Restoration Tragedy

Written by Chris Guiton

in Music

Chris Guiton reviews the new CD by Barnstormer 1649. Restoration Tragedy, the great new album by Attila the Stockbroker’s band, Barnstormer 1649, centres on the events of the 17th century English Revolution. This was a pivotal point in our history, part of our transition from a feudal to a capitalist…

English Revolution Diggers Levellers Ranters

Sunday, 19 August 2018 20:34

Aretha Franklin: the sound of vulnerable, hopeful, defiant, precious humanity

Written by Robert J. Gallagher

in Music

Robert J. Gallagher says goodbye to Aretha Franklin Goodbye, Doctor Ree. Fare forward. The death of the great Aretha Franklin has come at a time when a great nation is enduring a relentless assault on its dignity from within. But anybody looking for any firm evidence of a peerless singer…

Marvin Gaye James Brown Nina Simone

Karl Eliasberg conducting, on 9 August 1942

Wednesday, 13 June 2018 15:19

The Siege of Leningrad, Shostakovich and the airbrushing of history

Written by Jenny Farrell

in Music

Jenny Farrell recounts the story of the genesis of Shostakovich's Leningrad synmphony. The Cold War against Russia – and previously the Soviet Union – continues. This includes the removal from public memory of the many atrocities committed by Nazi Germany on the Soviet population, and the latter’s heroic role in…

Tuesday, 17 April 2018 08:57

Bread and Roses Songwriting and Spoken Word Award

Written by Chris Guiton

in Music

The Bread and Roses Songwriting and Spoken Word Award was launched by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Culture Matters in November 2017. It closed in February 2018. The aim of the new Award was to encourage songwriters and spoken word performers to write material meaningful to working class people…

#songwriting #spoken word