The day the music didn’t die
The weekend is here, and we come once more to my famously dangerous Weekend Blogs, in which I take advantage of a slightly reduced readership to express some mildly controversial opinions. Today I’d like to express a mildly controversial opinion on the scrapping of 6Music, a subject which has animated me and many of my contemporaries over the past couple of weeks. And by ‘animated’ I mean we’ve been pretty scathing about it on Twitter, signed a petition, and some of us even wrote to the BBC or The Times. Which, in this depoliticised age, is the equivalent of a previous generation setting fire to something or marching on Parliament.
Now it should go without saying that I’m opposed to closing 6Music, like almost everyone I know who’s ever listened to it, but - crucially – unlike the Director-General. The reasons have been well covered by other people: it’s the BBC’s best, most interesting music radio station, representing cutting-edge music where the likes of Radio 1 suck up to the Saturdays; it’s not right to close a station because it offers unacceptable competition to commerical channels, as has been absurdly claimed; its entire budget is the same as the BBC pisses away on people to write Jonathan Ross’s monologues, or wax Graham Norton’s face. And so on. And more worryingly still it’s a slippery slope: if the BBC sets this precedent, what other assets will it sell off or throw away once the Tories come to power? As I say, I’m in agreement with all these arguments and I would strongly recommend adding your voice to the dissent, writing to the BBC Trust, pretending you also care about the Asian Network, whatever it takes to at least make sure this isn’t done lightly.
But.
It does seem to me that the whole idea of ‘music radio’ is something of an anachronism in a world where we can all download any song in the known Universe, in a matter of seconds, for about 70p (and I’m aware that certain individuals also do it for free, but I can’t sanction that on this blog or we’ll slide into anarchy). 6Music was better than most because of people like Adam and Joe, Jon Richardson, and recently even the great Jarvis Cocker. But when I hear people saying ‘how am I going to hear good music now?’, I have this urge to go and buy them an MP3 player.
Nobody in this day and age needs to rely on radio for new music. You can go online and find out what’s good. You can download it in less time than it takes to go for a wee. Then you can set up your music player to play it, and everything else you like, forever. No adverts. No ‘you’re listening to…’ No chatter about current affairs. No news and sport every hour. Just music, the way it was meant to be listened to, for as long as you want.
Yes, I know people listen to things like 6Music for more than just the music; they like the badinage. But you can buy DVDs and CDs if you want to listen to comedians. You can get podcasts. You can watch the telly, even. There are more ways than ever, these days, of listening to funny people talking. What the world needs more of is people, quite frankly, shutting the fuck up and putting a record on. That’s something which even the best radio has struggled to provide consistently. But it’s something we can do all, in the comfort of our own homes, without producers’ playlists, without commercial interests playing a part in what we hear.
The evolution of music into digital forms has alarmed many traditionalists – and I’m pretty much a traditionalist myself – but all it really means is more power to the individual. Each of us is his or her own radio station now: that’s what the MP3 generation has inherited. And of course it has its pitfalls. If you choose unwisely you might be a bad radio station, like Heart. But get it right, and you can have 24-hour-7-days-a-week music that you, yourself, individually, want to listen to. And that’s even better than 6Music. If it makes you feel better, you can always say ‘you’re listening to Mark’s iPod’ between each track. Works wonders for me.
I’ve just read back through this and I realise it sounds a bit snooty saying ‘I have this urge to buy them an MP3 player’, because even shitty ones cost a bit of money, and not everyone has any money. So to pilot this blog back towards ‘fun’ than ‘preaching’, I’m going to buy one person an MP3 player. Just a cheap one, like an iPod Touch or something. To win it, you have to convince me you’re in the greatest need of it – i.e. you won’t be able to listen to decent music any more. The only catch is you might have to come to one of my shows to collect it, but you’d still be well in profit.
You have a week to leave the most deserving comment. Hehe. This is fun. I’d better hope no-one’s reading, with it being the weekend.
Posted by Nic (@nwoolhouseuk) on March 10, 2010
Hi Mark
I’m just catching up with your blog (I am rubbish at daily reading, but do catch up eventually). I’ve not yet posted about TYSIC on here either but I plan to blog about it this weekend when I can give it the time and length it deserves.
I do agree with what you say about the download generation, but I also agree with some of the comments to a point, the sense of community from listening to a show with others is something special (sometimes). However, as you say, there are podcasts! A few of your TYSIC followers are also podophiles (as named by Michael Legge) and we listen to a podcast (#PreciousLittle) together and tweet along, we get to choose the time, comment together and all is well. You could apply this to anything, I have also tweeted along to a #filmclub where we all watched a DVD together (Labyrinth in case you were wondering). We are a more mobilised generation, and can keep the sense of community, it just takes a little effort and my favourite part of all, planning (I am such a nerd I love planning). Do feel free to use the tweet along idea for one of your games.
I don’t want another ipod, so won’t comment on that part, but thanks for the offer.
Posted by Stephen on March 10, 2010
Hello Mark,
Listening to radio isn’t just about the content…it’s about communing with the presenter and the other listeners. When we listened to John Peel or Anny Nightingale it made us feel part of a community…we had mates.
Here’s a weird thing…I have DVDs of films, good films, films I want to watch, but I’ve never watched them. But when ‘Time Cop’ came on the telly the other night, instead of putting a DVD on, I watched van Damme police the very fabric of time “with” the audience of dozens around the country, despite it being a work of desperate mediocrity and laughable scientific pretext. And I’ve seen it before! It just seemed more fun at the time to do that than be “alone” with my self-selected DVD.
Anyway, I’m confusing the issue by bringing up poor quality content, rather than sticking to the main point, which is, sitting in a room choosing songs you like can’t beat the air-punching thrill of doing the washing up and hearing the radio choose a song you like…
Posted by Matt on March 10, 2010
What would I do with a brand new iPod?
I’d immediately put it on eBay, and use the proceeds to buy myself food for two months so that I can actually feed my body in order to finish this degree without collapsing at my desk from starvation.
So please: I am poor, I am hungry, I am trying to improve myself… If I can’t feed myself then I’ll end up as a homeless junkie working street corners just to scrounge together enough pennies so that I can buy myself a rock to get me through the bitter cold of the next harsh winter…
Posted by Seamus on March 10, 2010
Why do I deserve an MP3 player from you? Well, music is what my world revolves around. I make music, listen to music, play music, everything. However, my MP3 player broke some time ago, and for the past 4 or 5 months I have been borrowing my mum’s, as she doesn’t use it that often. However, this is far from ideal, as I don’t really think she would be too happy if I removed all of her music to make room for some industrial death metal, for example. I would buy myself a new MP3 myself, but I would need to buy one with at least 8GB of memory to have any chance of fitting a good number of my CDs on it. As you pointed out, even “cheap” MP3 players cost money, and that is my problem. If I save up to buy myself a new player, I won’t have any money left to buy any new CDs to put on it, which isn’t exactly ideal.
The problem with money could easily be solved by getting a job, but there are 2 problems with that. 1, I’m 16, and my exams are in a couple of months, so revising is a higher priority, and 2, I live in the Scottish highlands, so even if I had the time to get a part time job, there simply aren’t any within an hours drive of me.
So, ummmm, yeah. An MP3 player would be nice.
Posted by Cas on March 9, 2010
6music (and music radio if it’s good) is the ultimate mix tape from your friend who has a way better music collection that you do and much more time on their hands to find the good stuff so you don’t have to. When I download (legally, course!) it’s stuff I already know, I’m not going to chance it. Radio keeps me fresh! Lovely!
I have an iPhone and a shuffle for jogging so I don’t need the MP3 player. But my friend in Lithuania’s broke and she can’t afford to replace it, so I’d give it to her. We both work for art galleries so we are both generally broke and underpaid!
Posted by helen on March 9, 2010
helloooooo.
why i would like an ipod requires context…
i live in france in a town in the middle of nowhere (in fact it’s only an hour south of paris but certainly feels like that way). My town has a speaker system set up so that broadcasts the town’s local commercial radio, the joy of which follows you wherever you go. I’m training for a marathon at the moment so could really do with something to block out the annoying adverts (avez-vous pensé de votre enterrement? appelez monsieur harreau pour discuter touts vos besoins après la mort) and the terrible music.The french stuff is fine, it’s the terrible choices of english music that is upsetting, I heard 50 Cent and The Nolans in the space of one run – although it did make me run faster in attempt to get away, so maybe an ipod would be counter-productive..?
and also getting it to me in france might be a challenge, but a fun one perhaps?
Posted by Steph Kempson on March 9, 2010
Greetings Mark!
I do have an ipod, there is no sob story here I’m afraid. There’s a small issue with the headphone socket being broken so music can only be listened to through one ear at a time. It’s not that sad or desperate. It hampers me at the gym when I’m on the running machine and I’m trying to run to a World Inferno song, but I’ve got dance music coming in the other ear-hole and I start doing a kind of mad-crazy limp run. However it is also an aid on trains for eavesdropping.
The real bargaining chip here is cake. I promise that I would in return make you a cake. An epic cake. Last summer I spent two days making the first ever female ginger pope cake: http://missknee.wordpress.com/
Perhaps a pink hitler lookalike head would be in order? An optimism cake? All though I’m not quite sure what an optimism cake looks like. Black-out goggles? An unbreakable hopeful helmet?
As for the radio argument it’ll be sad to lose BBC6, I didn’t even know it existed until the twitter campaign started. If only they’d get rid of Chris Moyles (not that that would improve radio 1 much, but they’d save a few pennies), he’s just so rude to everyone. If I wanted to hear someone being obnoxious I’d go and yell something nasty about Jeremy Clarkson outside my neighbour’s house.
Posted by Jorik on March 9, 2010
Hi Mark,
I feel a bit awkward about leaving this comment, but as I’ll spend it begging for some electronic music-face-gear I’ll just go and do it.
I’m one of those seven freaks who follow the UK comedy scene from the continent (in my case, Holland. I am Dutch myself; officially. English is my second language. It is. It really is. How could I convince you? Erm… Shex! (I am the only Dutch person who learnt the mock-Dutch accent made famous by Steve McLaren and, erm, Mike Myers) Yes. I have no life.(I like brackets.))).
I lost my mp3-player (a Phillips, oh yeah) when I was staying in a horribly dingy Youth Hostel in London . I suspect the slightly frightening Argentinian alcoholic Physician (this is what he called himself (not the alcoholic bit, obviously)) took it, trying to trade it for some booze. I pitied him so didn’t go after him. Also, as I said, I was scared of him.
I believe I deserve the i-Pod for prolonging the misery of this clearly troubled man and not helping him trying to sort out his problems. Also: I’m foreign, so that’s double points.
…
I am ashamed of what I have become.
I hope I can get tickets for the Brighton gig. Good luck with the 10 year program!
Posted by Bev on March 9, 2010
I would very much like an ipod for the following reasons;
a) Mine is broken and I need something to drown out the horrible music that the kids at the back of the bus play every morning
b) I was an integral, yet invisible part of the 24 hour, 2005 minutes and 36 hour shows.. yes indeed, I was one of the Pleasance Dome bar supervisors that kept having to come upstairs and turn the air conditioning back on. I worked in that bar for 4 years and never did find out why it had air con that had to be reset every 2 hours. So I think for my services to keeping everyone cool, I should get something. Even a certificate really. But you can’t listen to music on a certificate….
Posted by Matt on March 9, 2010
Why me? Well, first of all I’m coming to see you in Southampton later this year so collection will be easy. Secondly, I was on of those who identified the Ben Folds Five reference which perhaps is deserving of a prize in itself.
My view of Ben Folds Five is perhaps a view of my attitude toward music in itself. Back in ‘97 I think it was, I went to buy the single Brick. It not being in stock, I took a punt and bought the album which was. Since then, I’ve discovered Ben Folds and previously (BFF) who is and are my ultimate artists of all time.
The point is that music is about discovering things you didn’t know you liked rather than listening to things which you know you do. OK, I’ve bought some dross in my time but through this attitude but such is life.
Should I win this, it would be set constantly to shuffle. Listening to those tracks you wouldn’t normally select rather than those ones which you know you would….if that makse sense?
Posted by Beth (@Doomed1) on March 9, 2010
Dear Mark, Please find attached my plee for a new MP3.
I have and will always be a big music fan. I currently listen to music about 11 hours a day, I love everything from Brand New to Girls Aloud. However tragically my mp3 decided not to charge just before Christmas, so it was given to my dad to try and fix, even tho i was going to take it back as it was within warranty. My Dad refused saying he could fix it, then claiming he had. The day after my warranty runs out I go to turn it on and it unfortunatly had passed on to mp3 heaven. I refused to let my parents buy me a new one as they do a lot for me, and didnt want them to be spedning more on me. So I currently have a very small, unnamed brand of mp3 player, that fits about 2 albums on. The only thing keeping me from going insane at work from the loud shouting lawyer and the very noisey eating man opposite me. Please help me remember what other albums exist other than the ting tings!
Thanks.
Posted by Magnificent Josh on March 8, 2010
I probably don’t deserve the MP3 player more than most of the people here.
Not a good way to convince you to give it to me really.
The only reason you could give it to me is that it would stop me stealing my friend’s iPod Touch to play GTA on. I might even get a doodlejump highscore.
Posted by Lewis Tappenden on March 8, 2010
I most need the iPod because I can’t bear going to the store to buy it because if I do I will be charmed by the sales person, and they will convince me I need extra items. I will leave the shop with 10 spare headphones £100 iTunes vouchers, 3 cases, Fire tird party and theft insurance and some Nurofen to help me cope with my splurging-ache.
Posted by Lizzie on March 8, 2010
I think that I need this mp3 player the most for this very simple reason: my iPod fell in the toilet. Properly.
And yes, it’s more easily done than you think; one minute it’s safely tucked into the waistband of you pants after a session of dancing around to Kaiser Chiefs in your kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed, the next moment you are peeing happily when you hear a verrrry suspicious plop. And you know it wasn’t natural. Alas, its little LCD screen stares mournfully up at you from the depths. What to do? You can’t flush, you can’t ignore it, so you must bear the humiliation of lifting your own iPod from an (all too full) toilet bowl. And only after this ordeal do you realise that your prized music player shall never function properly again.
Now when I wish to dance in the middle of the night without waking my loved ones I am forced to imagine my backing track or return to my sad litte ‘pod, shake it repeatedly and see if it ignites a spark of life back into the poor thing. It never does.
Posted by Kai on March 8, 2010
I tend to listen to the radio to find new music. Otherwise I’m floundering about on the internet, struggling to find something new that I enjoy and it’s just a waste of time. I’ve tried it and all I find is rubbish, at least on the radio there’s the hope of something good popping up.
Posted by Thomas on March 8, 2010
The reason I need an MP3 player so much is simple:
Radio 1 is played at work all day everyday, and it is terrible.
That good enough?
Posted by Lucy Tucker on March 8, 2010
This seems to be full of people claiming they don’t want the free iPod.
Well I do.
I do have an iPod but foolishly, I bought an iPod Nano when it was more squarish. As soon as I did they went back to the original, more rectangular, shape. It’s always the way. Now my iPod doesn’t fit in with all the others.
That’s my reason for wanting it.
Oh and I’m a student now, I have no money and can’t afford to buy loads of great music so I love having the radio to widen my musical knowledge. Especially 6Music. So I’m not going to pass up the chance for a free iPod in all honesty. It’s a very lovely offer.
Posted by Beth on March 7, 2010
I’m not posting because I want to win the ipod; I’ve got a pretty decent one and wouldn’t want to deprive some ipod-less individual of winning one.
Instead, my comment is mainly just saying that I wholeheartedly agree with you. I like 6music, don’t get me wrong, but I’m just not as bothered as I perhaps should be. I buy the music I want from itunes/amazon etc because that’s what I want to have on my ipod and not because I’ve been listening to what radio station think is “cool” at the moment.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that, people need to (maybe) stop listening to what people are telling them is good, and go out and find it for themselves. Read reviews or listen online (spotify etc). That’s the way you find amazing unsigned bands.
You don’t need 6music or Radio 1 for that.
Posted by James on March 7, 2010
When listening to 6music, I like to adopt Stanislavski’s theory of leaving myself at the stage door. It’s almost like the station is my house. I’m greeted by the warm hand of Jon Richardson and entertained in the bar by the whimsical musings of Adam & Joe. Every room has its own life and atmosphere that I can’t even come close to understanding in my own meaningless existence. I love the idea that if I were to be ‘closed down,’ (or in this case demolished) my friends and loved ones will gather in support. 6music isn’t just a radio station, it’s an experience I cannot (and will not) live without. But if I have to face the dark, silent abyss; at least it’s comforting to know that there are always those who will fight for the little things in life.
“When an actor is completely absorbed by some profoundly moving objective so that he throws his whole being passionately into its execution, he reaches a state we call inspiration.” – Konstantin Stanislavsky
Posted by atri on March 7, 2010
True, 6 music was fantastic because of the people who presented the shows.. but it was also a great way for me to catch up on music. Work and driving to-and-from it (4 hours! Every day!), and other such nonsense makes it difficult for me to search for new stuff on my own, so the presence of 6music really helped me in terms of exploring what music is out there. Well, the stuff I like anyway. Indonesia is a great country, but the music sometimes makes me weep. I was ecstatic when I found 6music.. and although I know there are probably other stations out there I can listen to, it’s just a shame we might loose this one.
As for the iPod.. Well. Mine is still working. It’s lovely of you to offer. =D
Posted by Sarah on March 7, 2010
“just a cheap one, like an ipod touch”
I thought that was the expensive one.
I used to trawl all the blogs for new music, and do again occasionally (but mainly for something “new and edgy” to impress my friends with because I’m that pretentious) but the radio does provide something quite different. I like hearing a little bit of news and banter mixed in.
Terry Greene – reburn your Angles CD. I like playlisting it so i can skip the annoying tracks (c’mon, they’re not all killer)
Posted by Corry Shaw on March 7, 2010
I don’t need an iPod but I was interested in people asking how they would find new music without shows on 6 music. May I recommend Marsha Shandur on XFM, also you can join her music mailer which is a brilliant resource for muso’s everywhere. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2405829285
Posted by Dean on March 7, 2010
See from a consumer point you’re right: there’s plenty of podcasts by comics out there, and there’s plenty of MP3 blogs and stuff to discover music on.
But then there’s the artist. The comics and presenters get paid (though I’m guessing not much) and the bands played presumably get some royalties from that.
Honestly, 6Music doesn’t need to be a 24-hour radio station. If the BBC really want to move in to the future, then they could just get all the popular presenters to put out a two-hour podcast every week. It’d restrict the music somewhat to stuff they could clear for downloadable podcasts, but that’d just mean more new and interesting stuff.
You’re right that radio really isn’t the best medium for what 6Music does. But losing any sort of publicly funded version of “that sort of thing” is a great loss.
Posted by Simon (again) on March 7, 2010
Mark, you’re giving away a free iPod on the internet. Shouldn’t you just uphold tradition and give it to the 1,000,000th lucky visitor to your blog?
Posted by Chris Stead on March 7, 2010
I’ve never listened to 6 music save once when messing around with my new DAB radio and stumbling across the excellent Steven Merchant.
I suppose if all these people who claim that it is the greatest radio channel ever and that without it, their lives would be over, just listened to the station a bit more, then the BBC won’t get rid of it.
One also has to ask whether it meets the remit of public sector broadcasting – is it really offering anything special or unique?
It strikes me the campaign to save it has been driven by comedians/DJ’s on Twitter who either work on 6music or would like to in the future.
I’d love an Ipod Touch but there will unquestionably be someone far more needy than me so best you give it to them.
Posted by Heather on March 7, 2010
I’ve never really listened to the radio. In fact I think the only times I’ve listened to radio shows was when they were released as podcasts, or on the “listen again” thingy on the BBC website if I find out about an interview or something that I want to listen to. I tend to get my new music from online sources; people recommend music on their blogs (I believe I have Neil Gaiman to thank for my current addiction to the fantastic Jonathan Coulton, and in turn I have JoCo to thank for getting me onto They Might Be Giants), there are even specific communities online for people to recommend and discuss music they like (livejournal has a few, for instance), and then there are sites like jango.com, which makes personalized radio stations based on songs you already like (and actually works outside the States, yay).
So I guess what I’m saying is I pretty much agree with you, Mark (and, um. I really like parentheses?). BUT it is true that it’s harder to get exposed to new acts online the way you can from the radio, and it seems like radio shows maybe foster more of a sense of community, which is a shame to loose.
Posted by Arwel Owen on March 7, 2010
I won’t be able to listen to decent music anymore because: I’ve just bought a house and have no money… My wife watches repeats of ‘Come dine with me’ and other randomly boring cooking shows which means I can’t catch up on decent music channels (of which there are not many) or the footie and stuff. I don’t have a digital radio or anything and so can’t tune in to decent music and have been lost since my PC download speeds are as fast as a snail slithering away from a life threatening fire. Please please please help me by buying me a MP3 player; it would also be a great night out having to come see you to pick it up and all… Cheers.
Posted by lex on March 7, 2010
You know what I think is amazing, and this is going to seem obvious, but I don’t care. Fifteen years ago:
“Hey, check out my disc/walkman! Pocket-sized! Huh–u–uh (rip). See, it fits! And fourteen whole tracks!! All in this convenient wee package! We are like, TOTES living in the future, man. Can I tape that new Supergrass track off you?”
And now: “Oh yeah, i keep losing it under my fingernails, but shit! It fits bloody 50,000 hours of music! Oh, yours is only a gig? For shame, for shame. Gigs are soo last year. Mine’s a frigging TERABYTE MONSTER”.
And so forth and so forth. Wowee. Just saying.
I have an ipod, incidentally, so not after another, just wanted to join in.
Posted by Someone on March 6, 2010
Simon seems pretty genuine and deserving to be honest… It makes sense. Think of the technologically disadvantaged burnt kids!
Posted by rachel on March 6, 2010
i’m trying to think of a good, non-tacky reason for being given an iPod. hmm.
ok. it would make me happy. and that would be pretty bloody good right now.
that’ll do. x
Posted by Linsey on March 6, 2010
For once Mark, I disagree; after falling out of love with NME magazine (over the cost more than anything – I’m only 18 and I remember buying it when it was £1.80, a 50p price increase is ridiculous) the radio is one of the main ways I find new bands, and 6Music is basically the only ones I can stand. Shows like Jarvis’ and Steve Lamaq’s are fantastic for finding great music, and I’ll be gutted if it goes!
Posted by Ben Draper on March 6, 2010
I would agree with you but I find that Radio 6, Lauren Laverne in particular, is one of the best and most pleasant ways of finding new music. Especially now youtube has clamped down on the music that’s on it.
I recently exchanged my origional Iphone (before there was 3g) for a Blackberry as i could no longer afford the contract (went off to uni didn’t I) and as a result need something to story my ever growing music collection on.
You’re a reasonable man, Mark and I know you would hate to add the insult of having to buy an Ipod (a luxury I can ill afford) to the injury of losing the old friend that was my Iphone to another type of phone. As an Iphone user yourself you will be aware that once you get one it’s impossible to think of trading it for anything else.
Sorry about all the brackets.
Posted by Lisa Brunders on March 6, 2010
Hi Mark, it’s the first of your blogs that I don’t agree with, although I still enjoyed reading it as usual. And I think the ipod idea is a brilliant idea.
I haven’t a PC, although I have got an ipod. My brother and ex-brother-in-law bought it for my 50th. My friend’s daughter put some music on for me. Some of my CDs and some of her music, disney and high school musical amongst others, she was only 9 at the time!
But even if I was able to easily fill my ipod, I still think it’s the variety of radio that appeals. I listen to all of the following, most days; radio 1, radio 1xtra, radio 2, radio 4, radio 5, radio 7 and BBC Radio Leicester. Not either of the threatened stations though as I expect you noted. I listen in the car to and from work and in the middle of the night on freeview when I can’t sleep.
Today for instance I happened on some enjoyable music from the sixties on radio 2. I would NEVER normally choose to listen to sixties music, and they were tracks I hadn’t heard for years, but I must’ve just been in the mood. And I even carried on listening for a while when I got back in the house.
Unlike Anna, I do know what’s number one as I still listen to the charts on sundays most weeks, and if not I look it up on teletext on sunday night.
I still buy chart music, although not so often these days. I was still buying a single every week with my shopping until the supermarkets stopped selling them a couple of years ago.
I love music, it makes me happy, it makes me cry, it moves my heart, it holds my life’s history. I don’t mean in the words, I mean the associated memories. ( I’ve just realised why I enjoyed the sixties stuff this morning, it held memories of my grandmother, as she always had music playing in the house, comtemporary music, during the sixties. Happy days.)
I expect you gathered I’m not after the ipod, it might sound as if I’m angling for a pc, but not at all, if I wanted one I would get mself one. Just giving you my thoughts, as you have given yours.
Posted by MrMatt on March 6, 2010
Have an iPod and love it. So disqualified,
However, I do want to say that this really was an interesting post. I personally love 6Music for its mix of music and banter, both of which I know I can (and do) have at my disposal on my ipod. For me, it’s the fact I know the radio station is there if I can’t be bothered searching for something due to laziness. The other thing being that it is a useful medium for background noise for large groups that way you don’t feel to be forcing your music on people, so it’s less guilty. A service I feel the BBC needs to continue provide, guilt lifting for music fans in a work place.
Posted by Someone on March 6, 2010
Aww that is pretty nice of you to do that. Music is a must for life. My mp3 player broke a while back ‘cause I got soaked on the moors and it died and got dissected by my inquisitive housemate. I can’t be doing with the noisy outside world though so for a while I had the biggest mp3 player around in the form of my laptop. I carried it around with me with my earphones plugged in. It was bloody heavy. I bought myself a new one in the end anyway – christmas present
. I’m just that nice you see (to myself (although technically provided by the Student Loan Company)). So I wouldn’t say I’m eligible for your kindness.
I wish I’d appreciated 6music before now as the last few weeks I’ve listened to Jon Richardson which I really enjoyed! And it introduced me to ‘Symphony of Science’ which is amazingly geeky and great. Last fm is also pretty good – similar artist radio and all. Can’t stand Spotify though.
(And Lovvve Jason Mraz.)
Posted by Simon on March 6, 2010
My wife and I run an orphanage. It is privately owned and we only accept donations in the form of electronic goods. Currently we are one iPod touch (or two Navman F35 Satellite Navigation Systems) away from being able to complete our state of the art happiness facility which will improve the quality of life of our clients twentyfold. I should probably mention that most of the orphans are also burns victims.
Thank you for your consideration, Sir.
Posted by Louise on March 6, 2010
It feels wrong whoring yourself out for a free mp3 player especially as I ain’t particularly deservant of it either.
My MP3 broke a year and a half ago and I still have yet to replace it as each semester worth of books costs me £250 (my criminology, psychology and sociology books are cheap(ish) maybe £30 each but law books are the devil). I thought I would be lost without it on the bus but I have just used the time to read books instead although it is very annoying when they person next to you leans over and reads what you are reading, I am very funny about any intrusion of my personal space. One good thing about music is the fact that it can put you in a good mood for the day; I used to listen to The Decemberists July, July! or Ben Folds Five’s ‘Underground’ in the morning to make me automatically feel happier and waken me up a bit.
I find it weird that you never mentioned spotify, one of the best things ever. Although it doesnt have a full discography of most bands I like the fact that it still gives me the chance to listen to bands straight away. However I was pretty annoyed to see a band called Owl City are number one on their chart even though they are a rip off of the postal service.
I am already going to see you in Glasgow. I am a little bit upset that it is at the clyde auditorium because I dont like SECC related venues but I am sure it will be a good gig nonetheless.
Posted by Katie on March 6, 2010
Pah to the MP3 malarkey; I am the proud owner of a record player and a stack of vinyl straight out of the 80s. I have an iPod, I like my iPod (it has Assassin’s Creed on it and that makes me happy), but nothing makes me as happy as when I sit down with a cuppa and listen to an original pressing of Ocean Rain, or even total crap like Rick Astley. I find new music by taking the artists I like, and finding out who they like; that’s how I found Aztec Camera, We Are Scientists and Aereogramme, and I shall continue to do so until all good music is sucked into the vortex created by Lady Gaga’s massive ego.
That’s not to say I won’t miss 6music, though. I have no idea what radio station to listen to now, and I am to afraid to re-tune my DAB radio.
Posted by Rachael on March 6, 2010
I like the idea that I am my own radio station, it’s a good point.
Posted by Patrick Lickman on March 6, 2010
iPod plz.
No, I have more. There are a few reasons I could think of why I could be given an MP3 player- many of them rubbish. For exemplum, I have the 6th most posts on your fan forum, at 155. I’m aware that the top is 542, but that’s beside the point. But that is a bit of a rubbish reason since it basically comes down to sucking up.
I guess another reason would be that I can come to one of your shows- again, rubbish. A lot of other people who are better in many other things (wit, attractiveness, morals etc) will come to your shows, since they’re clever enough to know which comedian to go and see (again with the sucking up, it’s hard to stop).
My final reason is that I really really want it. That’s the best I can do. Follow that, losers.
Posted by Meg on March 6, 2010
Idk. Even though I grew up in the mp3 age and always had my computer at hand to download new music, when I was getting into good music I relied a lot on my local alternative radio station. I listened to it pretty much every night as I did my homework, and it changed the way I thought about music.
I don’t listen to the radio at all anymore, and I do still discover music online, but there’s something about the radio format that I miss. Ads and all.
Anyways.
I don’t need an iPod and I can’t come to any of your shows either, so that’s my input for the weekend.
Posted by Nobby Nutkins on March 6, 2010
Not sure that just rummaging around online would turn up some of the stuff I’ve heard on Jarvis Cocker, Stuart Maconie, or Marc Riley’s shows, so wholeheartedly disagree!
Thanks for the blog, nonetheless!
Posted by Steph on March 6, 2010
I need an mp3 player. I need to somewhere to put my collection of live music; Jason Mraz, Macca, Muse and such.
I also need to put on the inspirational tracks I wil be recording as part of my TYSIC. They will consist of chanting statements such as
“She is a blonde angel.”
“She knows A LOT about sport.”
“Darts coverage would not be the same without her.”
“Her scottish accent is very becoming.”
Have I won?
Posted by Jonathan on March 6, 2010
It’s not that easy to “go online and find out what’s good” – I wouldn’t know where to start. The sheer scope and obscurity of what is played on 6Music means it would take an age to research, then all those unsigned bands to sift through, it would take more time than I have.
I’m not lazy, nor the busiest person in the world. But music is a great escape to me and when I’m doing the washing up or cooking dinner its great to be able to put on Radio6 and hear new things I would never otherwise hear. I’ve discovered three new bands I love this way just this week. One is from a genre I’d never have considered looking up and listening to. They’re also unsigned so I doubt I would have found them any other way.
I discovered your comedy this way too, on the radio, a happy accident. It’s not something I would have tracked down another way. It’s something I found while, doing something else (fixing my car) and I think a lot of people use the radio in this way.
I’d quite like an MP3 player, but could you fill it with 6Music progammes first?
Posted by CarlBurktwit on March 6, 2010
When they came out, I never wanted an iPod.
In 2008 though my girlfriend was in America for 3 months and when she returned she had an iPod for me. It was the most money anyone had spent on me. I was overwhelmed and I soon realised what I was missing out on. Several weeks later she ended the relationship revealing she cheated on me in America.
Two years on I still have the iPod (like fuck was I giving THAT back) but I do often look at it with disdain. Guilt had bought me an iPod and anger had made me keep it.
Last month my beautiful girlfriend Beth, who I’ve been lucky enough to have not driven away for almost a year, had a bit of an accident. We were in a rush to leave the house – my fault – and during the commotion her drinks bottled exploded in her bag, filling her iPod with water. Not a pretty afternoon.
So I would love for Beth to be awarded with this iPod, not me. Mine is fully functional (and caused a dent in my ex’s wallet) whereas hers looks all sad and moist during the final months of her degree, which, in my experience, requires some relaxing tunes to help you power through.
Also, collecting it from you will be her first ever comedy gig. Fate? x
Posted by Olga on March 6, 2010
Just wanted to say that your blog and TYSIC inspired me to start my own blog. Thank you and wish me luck!
Posted by Joanne on March 6, 2010
You’re right about music being more freely available than ever before; however, most people have neither the time nor the inclination to go snuffling around myspace/spotify/last.fm etc. I also avoid using Spotify on moral grounds because they pay musicians incredibly poor royalties, while many of their record companies profit from its advertising and subscription income because they are shareholders in the company! At least on radio, artists are guaranteed a fair royalty fee from PRS.
I listen to 6music because I know it will introduce me to new bands, and music from older artists that I am unfamiliar with. There are also amazing live sessions at least twice a day on weekdays – where will we get that if 6music shuts?
It’s not all about the music, either. I love the personalities of the presenters on 6music and how they help perpetuate the feeling that listeners, presenters and producers are one big family. I know that sounds lame but that’s the feeling i’ve always experienced while listening to the station.
And lastly, 6music has not only introduced me to a lot of new music, but also to new comedians. Jon Richardson’s show in particular has done a lot for British comedy and i’m very sad that he’s leaving. I’ve gone to see a lot of comics after hearing them on the show, and his shows from the Fringe were fantastic (it would be great if he came back for a guest slot during August, actually).
Just my 2 cents.
Posted by Olga on March 6, 2010
I’m going to be honest, I would love an iPod or an mp3 player. BUT I’d feel bad taking it. Why would i love to have one? Well, one simple reason, I am in love with music and completely addicted to it. From Mozart to Metallica and Led Zeppelin to Frank Zappa to Arctic Monkeys to Jason Mraz. I myself play bass guitar and a bit of piano. Music has saved my life before, as whenever I’m down, I listen to it. It saved me from suicide when my parents were splitting up. It sometimes saves me from crying, or sometimes makes me cry. Either way it is the single best thing that exists. It’s the only thing that I can trust, it heals my broken heart and helps my headache. In a world where I cannot trust anyone anymore, not even myself, my love for music is the only thing that remains constant.
I’m not trying to convince you to give me that iPod or whatever, I’d just simply feel bad (I never really expect anything from anyone, when I do get something I never feel I deserve it). And even though my dad stood on my mp3 player a few months ago and I can’t listen to music anymore, I don’t think a music player is something necessary. As cheesy as it sounds, there’s always music in my heart. On that note ( ;D ) I shall end this unneccessarily long comment, which I’m probably going to copy/paste to my new blog I’m going to start and hopefully maintain (as part of my TYSIC).
The main point to take away from this presentation is that music is THE most important thing in my life. And I didn’t write this to convince anyone I deserve the iPod, just to express my feelings somewhere where it might be read. So I don’t think i should get it.
Take care everyone!
Posted by h2osarah on March 6, 2010
I was going to nominate myself for this because my current iPod is on it’s last legs, with a loose screen and the tendency to suddenly stop working whenever the mood strikes (or it gets cold) and that I lost all my music from it when my computer harddrive died on me a few months ago. So, being lazy and without enough music taste to try and find new music (and get some of the old stuff back), I’ve given up on music alltogether and use my iPod just to play podcasts. If you got me a new iPod, it might inspire me to revamp my music collection.
That being said, sounds like Terry is more deserving. He seems to know what he’s talking about music-wise.
Posted by BeckyMarsh on March 6, 2010
I am reluctant to leave a post…although a mp3 player would be a welcome gadget in my life. I have never owned one (i know its weird) and many ask me how i survive…but like you say the internet is full of music all for the taking and you can even try songs out before you buy (the wonders of spotify…other streaming sites are available). I agree the removal of 6music from the airways is stupid when we have to endure two dance shows a year and watch over paid presenters all year round but for the sake of new music we are surely not that useless that we can’t go and find it ourselves.
In summary, maybe i should receive the mp3 for then i will be able to listen to good music when i move around as well as sat in front of a computer screen.
Posted by Steve G on March 6, 2010
I don’t claim to deserve the mp3 player any more than any of the other people who will undoubtably reply to this blog post, but I do like getting something for free.
If I win I’d even be willing to pay for a seat at one of your shows, rather than downloading your stuff for free.
Posted by Sam on March 6, 2010
I do student radio, and oh so often I have arguments with people there, for they don’t play music. Which is fine if you’re doing talk radio like Radio 4, but they’re not. It’s local radio but without the adverts and with even less music. When they do finally play a track it’s either in the top forty, some classic rock or a cheesy nineties tune that they’re playing ironically.
This year saw a large rise in what people were calling ‘alternative’ shows, but they all had pretty much the same playlist, and it was the kind of ‘alternative’ music that still manages to get Radio 1 air time.
I feel I’ve painted a very negative picture there, it isn’t all bad, one genius started a blues and soul show which was quite frankly magnificent. A friend of mine at Swansea had the most muso show ever where you would learn so so much.
Radio can be great, unfortunately I fear with the closure of 6music and all the students going into radio sucking at it, that it never will be again.
Posted by Laura on March 6, 2010
Hi Mark,
But what about the joy you get when you hear a song on the radio that you haven’t heard for years and you think ‘Ooh, what a great song this is, I had forgotten all about it’? And nothing compares to the joy my boyfriend has when his band is played on the radio – not even the thrill of selling a song or CD.
The fun of the radio is in the surprise. The most exciting an iPod gets is when you put it on shuffle…
Excellent post though!
Posted by Anna on March 6, 2010
For the sake of my son, you should give me this MP3 player. You see, I was cool once. I had pink hair, I went to gigs, I knew who was number one in the indie chart. But, gradually, without me even noticing it was happening, I started to get old. These days, my hair is a very sensible colour, and the last gig I went to was 18 months ago ago (Frank Turner, in case you’re interested). I’ve no idea who is number one in the main chart, let alone the indie chart. In short, I’ve turned into my mother.
Modern music passes me by, I don’t have the time or the inclination to seek out new bands, and this makes me sad. When I look at my little boy I can imagine him in 13 years time, turning his nose up at me when I tell him all about the stuff I listened to when I was his age, thinking me old and irrelevant. I’ll just be his embarrassing old mum who doesn’t know anything about proper music and lives in the past.
To prevent this happening, part of my TYSIC is to listen to a new album every week for 10 years. I pledge to discover new music, to uncover classics I might have missed, and to no longer turn my nose up at anything purely on the basis that ‘it’s new, it must be rubbish’.
I can’t promise I won’t embarrass my son by singing along to Pulp when he has his friends round. I can’t promise that I won’t make him watch Manic Street Preachers DVDs and point out that he was named after the one in a frock, but I promise that I will at least know who is number one. Who knows, he might even turn out to be a little bit proud of his mum and her encyclopedic musical knowledge.
Of course, to do all of this, I need something to listen to all this new music on. Mark, I implore you, help me with my TYSIC, save my son from a lifetime of his mummy living in the past, and give me an MP3 player.
Thank you.
Posted by Ben on March 6, 2010
i have one and i love it, so i disqualify myself.
i’ll add, though, if you have £20– buy huge headphones. it beats low-quality mp3s on laptop speakers. do it!
Posted by MIsha on March 6, 2010
That’s a lovely idea.
I occasionally think about making a whole load of bits of chat to add to my ipod, then making a radio show for myself. But then I don’t like my own voice so there it falls down.
But its true. It’s not exactly beyond the wit of man to find and get new music.
Still, it’d be nice to have some radio that doesn’t make me want to teat my own eyes out.
Happy Weekending.
Posted by Ally on March 6, 2010
Haha, I found the ‘preaching’ bit fun, though you did sound remarkably like my media lecturer at uni (this could be both a good or a bad thing).
I shan’t try to convince you to buy me an MP3 player as a) I already have one that works and b) with the closing of the radio station others might need it more
Posted by Terry Greene on March 6, 2010
I’ve never felt more dirty leaving a comment.
But currently I am only able to listen to cd’s on a very old portable cd player. It doesn’t even close, i have to hold it the whole time or tape it closed!!
And I can’t find my Dan le Sac Vs Scroobious Pip album and I really want to listen to it on the way to work, it just sits there on my computer saying “We’re here Terry, we’re a digital copy, why wont you listen to us outside?”. It kills me to here my music crying.