It could be you, but probably won't be. In my experience, when a new platform asks for your data in exchange for "being heard," it’s worth checking the blueprint of the machine you're feeding. I’ve been digging into the launch of Vista Music—the new label fronted by Thom Rylance of The Lottery Winners (the friendly … Continue reading The Vista Files: Auditing the “Sign-Up” Framework
Category: Discussion
The Spreadsheet Vs The Soul
"It’s Friday night, March 27, 2026. The tour buses are cooling down, the variant-sellers are counting their plastic trophies, and the audit is officially closed. This week, we’ve tracked the 32-variant 'fleece' and the 72-place chart drops. But tonight, we look at the real ROI: Integrity. While the corporate giants syndicate the 'Summer of Sameness,' … Continue reading The Spreadsheet Vs The Soul
How to Fleece Fans and Win a Vanity Trophy
The KLF once released a book about it: The Manual (How to Have a Number One the Easy Way). It was a step-by-step guide on how to hijack the charts with no money and no musical skills. It worked. Now, it seems our favorite new bands—the ones who have scaled the uppermost positions in the … Continue reading How to Fleece Fans and Win a Vanity Trophy
The Crossroads: What are you prepared to do for your art?
I’ve been sitting on a draft for two years. I called it Privilege. I wrote it because I was tired of the 'Shortcut' culture—the bands with the label connections and the backgrounds that get 'glossed over' to create a fake grit. Looking at the landscape in 2026, I realize that privilege was just the entry … Continue reading The Crossroads: What are you prepared to do for your art?
Why Average is just Small Talk (And the Death of the Parka pantomime)
I once called a band called Small Talk 'average.' The sky fell in. I got piled on by fans who had cosied up to celebrity endorsements rather than actual songwriting. I told them they’d regret charging £15 a pop to see them with no real fanbase, and I was right. Where are they now? We’ve … Continue reading Why Average is just Small Talk (And the Death of the Parka pantomime)
The Rebirth of Cool: Five Years Later
The Voice is Far From Strangled. I’ve been silent for a while. Real life—the kind with clocks to punch, bills to pay, and the daily grind—has a habit of taking over. But while I’ve been away, I’ve been watching. I’ve seen great artists, truly talented people who have given everything to their craft, finally chuck … Continue reading The Rebirth of Cool: Five Years Later
All Blue No Tonic
25 years plus....blown away in an instance... The news about singer and front man to The Bluetones, Mark Morriss hit me like a lightning bolt this week, a band I had admired and listened to since their early days, were shot down as the allegations regarding Mark's behaviour came to light and were held up … Continue reading All Blue No Tonic
Geezer Pop – Ruff n Ready! Part 1..
We all like a genre...it helps us understand the music we are listening to...whether we should invest our time into it. Is it something you want to be part of? Is it something you would like? Over recent months I've been recommended a lot of music that kinda links together...it's loud and in your face... … Continue reading Geezer Pop – Ruff n Ready! Part 1..
So where do we go from here….
A year ago seems a long time away - a lot has happened I dont need to go over it but as we finally start to claw our way back to some form of normailty I'm left with more questions then answers. Where do we go from here? Musically speaking I guess! I have spent … Continue reading So where do we go from here….
When the Music’s over…play another record.
So as the dust settles from an amazing weekend of music and fundraising I'm left thinking what now? What's next? So despite my own little session being a disaster, the Inyourearsmusic sessions supporting #FBWMusic was a triumph...pulling together the great and good from a burgeoning new music scene from all over the country and into … Continue reading When the Music’s over…play another record.
2021 the Reboot of 2020
So we start again, full of hope and optimism The previous year is a full stop and a chance to reboot the system. Take stock and do things different. So what did we learn these last 12 months? Are we better people? Do we care more? Are we there for each other? Or once we … Continue reading 2021 the Reboot of 2020
What’s my age again?
I hope I die before I get old sings 75 year old Roger Daltrey. Age. Is it just a number. Does it not matter anymore ? When is too old? Ever since I was a kid, I was taught to believe that music was a young man's game. That if you didn't make it before … Continue reading What’s my age again?
Sistas are doing it for themselves.
Boys, Boys Boys - that's all you hear. Well not so much anymore - the girls are back - making it to the front, to the top, setting the bench mark. Following on from my piece on Men Solo Singers - I promised I would do the same for our Soul Sisters, highlight the best … Continue reading Sistas are doing it for themselves.
If Q wasn’t the A, then where do we go next.
So its happened again the great paper shredder in the sky has called time on the much loved Q magazine - it has gone the way of many before it - no one is indestructable and its credit its lasted as long as is has in todays world. I'm sure across the UK today many … Continue reading If Q wasn’t the A, then where do we go next.
Tied to the 90s – Am I a music snob?
Since I have never written before, I have been surprised that since I have lifted the lid of Pandoras box, so many thoughts and ideas have been spewing (sic) out! The main one being my own music taste and whether I'm as adventureous as I think I am, is my taste as wide as I … Continue reading Tied to the 90s – Am I a music snob?
