FlipYourWig

Bummed I'm not going to be in town for this http://tumblr.com/xdrk3n3w7

Xiu Xiu, Guy Blackman etc. playing today at Frankly Festival, Powerhouse - New Farm

I don't think there is much wrong with that Monthly article and I agree with Frankie that Forster is engaged with the subject at hand. The man can write, there's no doubt about that, and he does so pretty consistently. Which makes it even more disappointing that he would lead with an uniformed and somewhat dismissive statement. It just had no place in the piece other then to provoke and I don't get why. I don't fault the guy for not having an in-depth knowledge of Tasmanian music, but I take issue with the tone. If you do follow his writings in The Monthly (all back issues are free online - go check for yourselves) you eventually begin to discover a pattern - and that particular tone does come through a bit. It's subtle, but it's definitely there. It's like he's assuming some god-fatherly type position - a ''I am Robert Forster, let me tell you how it is'' vibe, and because of his semi-legendary status, his editors seem happy to either play on it or let him get away with it. It also comes through in his book and it comes through a bit in this three-part series. I don't know, it's just grating a little with me.

Like I said earlier, I like Forster's work and I've mostly enjoyed his slightly larger-than-life persona, it just feels as though what once could be interpreted as playful jest and intellectual hi-jinks is now becoming a little tiring.

As for anon's point about writing to your audience, I can see your what you're getting at, but still, why lead with that introductory sentence? And really, shouldn't the writing illuminate your audience as opposed to catering to its needs?

But yes, that's probably a whole other discussion.

Is there a link to this article, FlipYourWig?

here

When is Tasmania going to produce some great bands? It must be soon,.....

That's how Robert Forster starts one of his recent articles in The Monthly. It did make me wonder.....

To be honest, I was a bit blinded by the legend for a long while; I've largely enjoyed his work, and in a way I've always quite liked that snobbish vibe of his. Even if I did chuckle at times, I've tended to think it's been his shtick all along and in a way he's built a lot of his persona on that mildly arrogant demeanour. Over time he's struck me as someone who is acutely aware of the game he's playing, and for the most part, I didn't mind the odd stupid thing that came out of his mouth as a result. But sadly, without Grant balancing and grounding the rhetoric, Robert is lately becoming a bit of a nuisance to my sensibilities. I know, everyone needs to make a living, but if I was advising Robert, I'd tell him to tone it down and back off for a while.

I dunno, maybe it's a touch too soon to have a 3-part icon interview series, maybe it is time to write some more songs and maybe it is time to do some research into the history of Tasmanian bands before you start writing about it? Just saying...

I still like you Robert, and sorry 'bout the rant.

My first time tonight. Even worse then I thought possible. And after laughing for about 10 minutes, the depression started to set in. Both very sad and infuriating to see money being spent something so dreadful.

rigid said 9 minutes ago:

it just hit me, the whole phil wood management operation is an elaborate prank. me dumb

not sure if it's true, but rumour has it that Phil is monetising that elaborate prank. At least attempting too... go figure.

hungryhungryhippo said 19 days ago:

I forget everything. where is the manual?

hungryhungryhippo said 19 days ago:

I forget everything. where is the manual?>

hungryhungryhippo said 19 days ago:

I forget everything. where is the manual?