Every January, I take a well deserved break from Twitter, Instagram and the housewives’ favourite, Facebook. I find I am compelled to take such a break because of how much of my time I spend (or waste) on there. I know I’ve been doing this for at least five years because the closest I’ve come …
My Music Jar 2020
As we hit the end of the year and try to work out how much better 2021 is going to be, I thought it would be a good opportunity to dwell some more on what happened last year. I undertook a project to listen to 52 artists that I hadn't taken the time with before. …
Music Jar – week 52
In this, the final week of the year, I have taken the final piece of paper from the pickle jar and have been joyfully listening to Childish Gambino, the performing name of Lando Calrissian Donald Glover. What I Knew BeforeIt's impossible not to know of Donald Glover, he's one of those incredible talents who transcends …
Music Jar – week 51
Each week, I take a name from a jar and listen to that artist, someone that I wasn't really into before but maybe should know more about. This week was a real Sophie's Choice, as I was down to my final two. It is time. Charli XCX, I choose you. What I Knew BeforeI had …
Music Jar – week 50
Each week, during this hell of a year, I take the name of an artist from a pickle jar on my bar caddy and try to ignore the different ways the world is falling apart and listen to their back catalog. This week was the turn of London-born singer-songwriter Anna Calvi. What I Knew BeforeI …
Music Jar – week 49
Each week I listen to an artist or band that I should really know more about. This week was the turn of both Prince and The Artist Formerly Known As Prince. What I Knew BeforeI don't think it's possible to be anywhere or do anything without at least being aware of Prince. For a long …
Music Jar – week 48
Each week I listen to a band or artist I've never explored before. How do I find them you may wonder? I asked friends to help me compile a list at the start of this hell year of people I should know more about. There are huge gaps in my knowledge and I wanted to …
Music Jar – week 47
Each week, as penance for trying to make plans in 2020, I take an artist from the music jar and do what I can to ignore the world and lose myself in their music. This week was the turn of California Girl, Sara Bareilles.What I Knew BeforeI recently listened to Bareilles on Armchair Expert, one …
Music Jar – week 46
Each week, inspired by A Beautiful Mess, I take the name of a band or artist from a pickle jar and listen to that band for the week. This time around, it's California pop-ska-rock tromboners, No Doubt. What I Knew BeforeNo Doubt were, without doubt, a band who were around when I was coming of …
Music Jar – week 45
Each week, I listen to an artist or band that I should know better, taken at random from a pickle jar. This week was the turn of heartbreaker, Tom Petty. What I Knew Before:I once worked with an older guy who took me under his wing and introduced me to a lot of bands that …
