About Them

These folk have rare talent I reckon...

 

STEVEN WILSON

PORCUPINE TREE front man whose 20 years of insanely hard work and brilliant music is finally paying off big style. Wields one of the finest guitars in modern music, and contributed a track to my epic tome THE FIRE THIS TIME under his ambient incarnation BASS COMMUNION. Pioneering the emerging field of 5.1 surround sound audio releases, with three albums out already in this format, Wilson is also spearheading a resurgence of interest in vinyl. A true British original, and a workaholic of astonishing proportions with no less than 6 different musical outfits operating simultaneously.
www.porcupinetree.com
www.swhq.co.uk
www.blackfield.org
www.no-man.co.uk


TOBY MARKS

Wry genius behind the unique ethnic and magical sounds of BANCO DE GAIA, whose excellent body of work now spans 15 years. Somehow ended up editing his concert video / DVD for him, "TWO THOUSAND AND 4" and continue to dream of a future collaboration on something. His latest effort "FAREWELL FERENGISTAN" is one of the best albums of 2006 in my opinion.
www.banco.co.uk

PAT MacDONALD

Rather unfortunately lumped in amongst the 'Hits of the 80's' is 'The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades' by what most people think was a one-hit-wonder outfit, TIMBUK 3. What they've missed since is the tremendous talent of perhaps the best lyricist in America, and two decades worth of outstanding albums with T3 and as a solo artist. MacDonald's pitch perfect mix of politics, humour, cynicism and heartbreak is best revealed on T3's EDEN ALLEY and EDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, and on his superb solo debut PAT MacDONALD SLEEPS WITH HIS GUITAR. To cap it all he's a master of finger-picking acoustic guitar and low down and dirty electric. Curiously doesn't have much of a web presence, but the search is well worth it.
Kudos too to former collaborator Barbara Kooyman.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=4835251
www.patmacdonaldmusic.com
www.timbuk3music.com

KAIT GRAY

A professionally trained singer with an angelic voice, cheeky hat face, filthy laugh and mastery of all  styles. You can't go wrong. Hire this girl immediately. Does truly wicked versions of Joni Mitchell, and erm, herself.
www.kaitgray.net

MATT GREY

Long suffering webmeister of the former home of THE FIRE THIS TIME. Now wandering the world blowing saxophone, clarinet and pretty much everything else he can get his hands on. Makes beautiful web sites to pa(y)ve the way.
www.mattgrey.com

BEN WHEATLEY & ROBIN HILL

Old film making cohorts from Brighton. Now editing TV and indy-features, but making insanely brilliant shorts and virals in between. Can not this ratio be reversed? For Wheatley it seems the time has arrived ....now writing and creating After Effects insanity for Armando Ianucci's TIME TRUMPET. Lobby them like crazy to re-post their short 'THE ACTORS' featuring one of the best lines in film history. Two million hits and counting.....
www.mrandmrswheatley.co.uk


NOAM CHOMSKY

Simply one of the best analysts and deconstructor of world events anywhere. 
www.chomsky.info

GRINAGOG

Computer musician, restoration expert, wood carver, fractal designer and all round artist. Now 'Beta Testing' new art software, he's gone that far into it. Very honourable member of WHITE GONE DEAD.
www.grinagog.deviantart.com

BILL HICKS

The screaming voice of reason. And humour you couldn't possible have thought of yourself. Simply the best ever. It actually hurts that he's no longer around.
www.billhicks.com

NEGATIVLAND

Good hello. Feel under-whelmed by modern culture? Dismayed at the level of discourse? Longing for insight, depth and searing musical criticism? Pine no longer, with these brilliant media assassinators, and enjoy a new primary colour to boot. Have done more to highlight the ridiculous nature of copyright law than a flock of lawyers....whom they are usually at the wrong end of.
www.negativland.com

BILLABONG ODYSSEY

These people practice holding their breath for 4 minutes at a time, and swim for 2 hours non-stop every day. You need to.......when you surf 60 ft plus waves. Surely the most intense artistic thrills known to humankind. The ultimate combination of madness and jaw dropping beauty.
www.billabongxxl.com
 

MICHAEL HEDGES

The greatest acoustic guitarist in history. If you've ever heard anyone play better, solo and with no dubs, than AERIAL BOUNDARIES or RICKOVER'S DREAM, then shoot me. Another torch bearer of brilliance no longer with us. There really is no justice. 
www.nomadland.com
 

GLENN MARSHALL

A modern day combination of James Whitney & Jordan Belson, producing ethereal, organic, computer generated mind-scapes the like of which have no contemporary equal. And does his own outstanding music too. Well, he did once. He's quit everything now.
www.butterfly.ie
 

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