DISCLAIMER: This show is non - profit based and was made to work on my craft in audio storytelling. Please support the official releases by the artists whose works I have played.
The genres I was most afraid of people finding out that I enjoyed was rock, alternative indie and especially folk. I had just started learning the guitar, and was finding out about the sounds more and more, liking what I heard. I felt fear that my friends would all ask me (a Cape Town Coloured kid) what ‘white stuff’ am I listening to. Reflecting back on this now, this was a limiting perspective to have and I am quite sure my friends and I would have been head banging to the songs just as much. The whole narrative of rock and anything guitar based belonging to white people in general, was not the best mentality to have, as the Khoi, San, and many cultures had their own styles of string based instruments. Heck, many can point towards those who were black in the usa during the civil rights era and even before as the originators of jazz and blues, with blues giving way to rock and roll.
In my own life, I have recently found that embracing the alternative is not corny at all, especially if you get to re - connect with yourself. I especially felt humbled when I heard basketball legend Dirk Nowitski mentioned that he listened to Ben Harper, and then I decided to listen to who he was, to hear what melody Dirk was playing on his guitar. The song was “diamonds on the inside” and it felt incredibly moving to listen to.
Lately after going back to the music I had avoided, I got to listen to Kings of Convenience, Vertical Horizon and appreciate a song I had long thought I had moved on from, the song being “rain don’t last” by HOPE, which I heard for the first time from a film called “Where God left his shoes” on our local broadcaster (ETV). Shazam came in handy for the first time in that moment.
I hope this show contributes to you embracing alternative sources of inspiration as it did for me, and until next time, have a blessed journey ahead.
Sincerest warmth and regards,
from Liam Joseph Mick
Playlist and Video Clips
Kings of Convenience - Misread (Album: Riot on an empty street)
Video clip: Jason Isbell - If we were vampires (The Off Camera Show with Sam Jones, Album: The Nashville Sound)
The Cranberries - Tomorrow (Album: Roses)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Hunnybee (Album: Sex and Food)
Video Clip: Jungle (Live) - Casio (Album: For Ever)
Tame Impala - The less I know the better (Album: Currents)
Eric Clapton - Tears in heaven. (Album: Rush)
Video Clip: Live 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tribute to George Harris with Prince, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Steve Winwood (2021 Remaster version on Youtube).
Jimi Hendrix - All along the watchtower (Album: Eletric Ladyland)
The Kinks - Waterloo sunset (Album: Something else by The Kinks)
Video Clip: Queen (Live) - Bohemian Rhapsody (Album: A night at the opera)
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to heaven (Album: IV)
Incubus - Drive (Album: Make yourself)
Video Clip: Nirvana (Live) - Come as you are (Album: Nevermind)
Linkin Park - Somewhere I belong (Album: Meteora)
Britany Howard - Stay High (Album: Jamie)
Video Clip: Tracy Chapman (Live) - Fast Car (Album: Tracy Chapman)
Ben Harper - Waiting on an angel (Album: Welcome to the cruel world)
Hiatus Kiyote - Red room (Album: Mood Valiant)
Video Clip: Men I Trust - Seven (live) (Album: Oncle Jazz)
Mac Demarco - Chamber of reflection (Album: Salad Days)
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony (Album: Urban Hymns)
Video clip: Yes - Roundabout Intro (Live)
Yes - Roundabout (Album: Fragile)
Recommendations that were considered for the show
HOPE - Rain don’t last (a personal favourite)
America - Riverside
RHCP - John Frusciante Bedroom lick, Under the Bridge acoustic version, Can’t Stop, Dani California, Dark Necessities.
Bob Dylan - Don’t think twice it’s alright
The Smashing Pumpkins - 1979, Perfect, Tonight Tonight.
311 - Amber.
Foo Fighters - Show me how, My Hero.
Vertical Horizon - Everything you want
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