Can the "New Era" NME Breath Life Into The Independent Scene?

With the ever-changing way in which music is consumed in the click-tap, instant gratification society of today, how relevant can a magazine with articles spanning more than 140 characters be? The truth is, and this is coming from a blogger who speaks from experience, today's youth/young adults are not an easy demographic to pin down for a 15 minute read, and getting them to pay for the experience is becoming a nigh on impossible task. So to the recent news of NME's decision to distribute their long running magazine for free, which I'm sure 99.99% of those reading this article will already know about. What will this do for, not only the magazine, but for music across the UK?

Now, it goes without saying that the NME is an iconic and powerful institution, but trying to stem the rising tide of download culture, twitter, facebook, pintrest, Tumblr, SoundCloud, Skinny Fraps, Granola and Youtube is a tall order in anyones books. People will simple scoff at the concept of paying for anything music related these days; yet will happily fork out £4.60 for a pint of Birra Moretti in West Didsbury, so long as they can tint their filter to ensure their grueling battle to grow Fagan-esque face pubes looks uber-hipster on social media. It's what we have to contend with these days and unfortunately brands like NME have to evolve as youth culture does.

We at the Stiff Upper Lip are enthused by this new chapter and feel it can get more young people involved and part of what is a growing underground culture of independent music. For decades NME has been the pioneering representative of the British Alternative scene and with this new switch and increase circulation we will surely see this continue for years to come. So whether you're waiting patiently at a train station or in a coffee shop, pick up a free NME and gaze at the parchment that the words are printed upon. Yes, young pilgrim. This is paper, its what they used before Iphones where invented. And you never know, you might find that you learn something that Facebook couldn't teach you.


Peace x

10/9/15 - Sip Tap @Bakers Vaults with Leaf Productions: Tracey Browne Steals the Show

Stockport's Bakers Vaults gets back to its roots with Thursday night acoustic set Sip Tap, courtesy of Leaf Promotions. The Stopfordian bar was serenaded by the soulful sounds of Tracey Browne, who took us on a journey from the wistful to the down right dirty (or as she put it "Cock Rock").  

It's not often you turn up to a night like this and one of the acts have simply not bothered to turn up. But when it appeared that Daniel Liptrott had better things to be doing on a Thursday night, the stage was left to the obliging Tracey Browne. Admittedly I had never heard of Tracey before and was all the more intrigued when one of the Leaf Promotions staff mentioned she was one of their most experienced and rousing acts. 

She began her set with an excellent homage to Tracy Chapman's Revolution to wet the whistles of the ardent crowd, before taking us straight into Under the Radar. Here she unveiled what has to be the cream of her eclectic repertoire. Lyrically and structurally this was the best song of the night and is a perfect platform for Tracey's fervent and soulful pipes.

Her Influences are clear and out there for everyone to see, with dashes of Janis Joplin and Sheryl Crow pitter-pattering their way into her narrative & sound. Not only can she take your eyes and ears to places of nostalgia and occasionally melancholy, there was a clear and distinct feeling of fun. Fun, love and passion for what she was doing, feeling and saying. Another highlight of the night was another cover, this time of the aforementioned Joplin. Piece of My Heart put to bed any doubt (not that there was any in the first place!) of her ability as a vocalist. It was a bonafide face melter of the highest order. My whole boat race was melted and my jaw was somewhere between my knees and my shoe laces. What a voice. 

She has the full package: she can write, hold a stage with humility and ease, sing and her guitar was well up there with any acoustic performer you're likely to see on the circuit. We look forward to hearing more from the Tracey and others who Leaf represent. 

If you like what you've read so far check out Tracey's Sound Cloud page.

Leaf Promotion's big night to attend lies on the first Friday of every month at The Magnet, Stockport. The next date is set for the 2nd of October. Make sure you're there and there early if you value your buttocks; finding a seat ain't gonna be easy. 

Till next time

Peace x