We’re all familiar with certain artisans in popular culture – our cultural discourse is very much dominated by these figures.
David Bowie and Prince are but two examples of those who’ve recently gone out as legends. These were innovators: iconic, radical symbols who subverted norms of sex, gender, appearance and creative expression, and are rightly held in high esteem. Their music and essence colours our rites of passage and punctuates moments in time.
Conversely, there is a certain attraction in romanticising some pioneers as essential outsiders; as underground, cult or resistance figures. Some, as in the case of Throbbing Gristle for example, embody and encourage revolting against the norm. Many others occupy this space necessarily –blues, jazz, disco, and by extension house music and countless other genres were born against institutionalised oppression, of a desire for collective and individual liberation and expression. Perhaps as we integrate the shared histories of these marginalised groups, so too will their heroes be held in similar regard in pop culture.
That can of worms aside…let’s take a look at a few crucial musicians who deserve a little more love.
Theo Parrish
Not exactly an unknown name among the heads, and a true craftsman of a groove, Theo’s been around for decades, sculpting jazz-inspired house and techno soundscapes, funky soul and disco edits (with his lauded Ugly Edits series), and mixes redolent of the rich musical histories of Chicago, Detroit and beyond. He is as much an inspired record collector, DJ and radio host, with an impeccable ear and music taste.
Where to start:
Theo Parrish – ‘I Can Take It’, 3 Chairs – ‘I Wonder Why (Edit)’, Theo Parrish & Marcellus Pittman – ‘Questions Comments’, Jill Scott – ‘Slowly Surely (Theo Parrish Remix)’, NTS Radio mixes with Charlie Bones
Throbbing Gristle
[pictured above]
Performance artists, musicians, provocateurs – progenitors of noise and industrial, Throbbing Gristle’s influence on the course of music is undeniable, with the inspirational, inimitable Genesis P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson leading from the fore. Birthed in the mid-1970s, they thrived off the unravelling of convention and causing utter discomfort. Tape recordings, spoken-word, sound effects, drone, gurgles and the odd foray into something resembling a dance beat were just a few elements of their unpredictable compositions. Challenging as they were, this was never just about causing a racket: their deliberate, unflinching references to the grotesque, including the then-recent Moors murders, underlined their revolutionary social commentary.
Where to start:
‘Hot On The Heels Of Love’, 20 Jazz Funk Greats (unless you’re brash and overconfident, in which case, The Second Annual Report)
Yellow Magic Orchestra
We swing wildly over to the other side of the spectrum now, to the electropop of Japanese group YMO. They exploded into fame in the late 1970s and, quite amusingly, landed a spot on the beloved Soul Train in 1980, sending the crowd wild with their performance of ‘Computer Game’.
While they may sound a little kitschy to modern ears, with a joyous, bubbly approach that contrasted sharply with their European synth counterparts, their influence on electronic music, R&B and hip hop, and popular music overall is absolute. Having largely abandoned their more traditional instruments for the Moog, Korg and the burgeoning wave of accessible equipment becoming available at the time (including the Roland TR-808), YMO extended the boundaries of what was possible with technology at the time. They paved a way for aspiring musicians the world over to embrace modern instruments, and this impact can very much be felt in today’s context.
Where to start:
‘Mad Pierrot’, ‘Firecracker’, ‘Solid State Survivor’
Best releases this week:
Tlim Shug’s Split EP with DJ Playstation – the A-side is slammin’ lo-fi house; the B-side a repress of a groovy 1992 breakbeat. And, for something completely different, Jamma-Dee with his modern-boogie collection Vol. 1 (and 2).
Recommended:
FRIDAYNOVEMBER 25
Oscar Mulero@Jam Gallery
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26
Samba Encontro – Brasilian Journey Edition Especial@Play Bar
Grooveman Spot, Sauce 81, 77 Karat Gold@Cake Wines Cellar Door
Motorik x Earthcore: Vitalic, Slam, Oscar Mulero, Boris Brejcha and more@Western Sydney Parklands
FRIDAYDECEMBER 2
Majestic Casual@Max Watt’s
SATURDAY DECEMBER 3
Josh Wink@ Chinese Laundry
SATURDAY DECEMBER 10
Salmonella Dub@Factory Theatre
SUNDAYDECEMBER 11
Honey Dijon, Claire Morgan@Cruise Bar
FRIDAYDECEMBER 30
Leon Vynehall@Civic Hotel
SATURDAY JANUARY 7
Optimo, djHMC, Abstraxion @Manning Bar
