Love for Music (and recent musical events)

If you spent time with me over Labor Day weekend, you witnessed me hunting for a copy of the movie 24 Hour Party People.  I had seen it previously, but it was this revisit to the film that made me realize why I liked it so much.  It has to do with the protagonist Tony Wilson, a man who loved the music scene of his hometown so much, he loved it to a fault, going bankrupt in the process.

There's this seemingly throw-away scene mid-way through the movie where he visits his sick ex-wife and his child.  The notable thing about this scene is that this is the first and last time you ever hear about these characters.  He turns to the camera and states that THIS is not the story; the real story is about the musicians. "I'm a supporting character in my own story" he says.  Of course, the irony of that statement is that this scene is all about him and about where is passions and priorities lie.

Tony Wilson engaged in a sort of wish fulfillment for a music fan.  He had the financial ability to promote any band he loved, giving them creative freedom, and even letting his record company go under because of them.  The movie basically reflected love a for music I used to, and hopefully, still have.

Well some recent events have reinvigorated my love for rock music.  Most notably a recent Clap Your Hands Say Yeah concert.  The show wasn't exactly history making, but the closing song was one of those rare rock moments I'm always going to shows for, with the band's energetic performance matched by the crowds enthusiastic response. 

The other is the Arcade Fire.  Even though their album is exactly a year and a day old, they are still aggressively promoting it, and in the last week they've had two television appearances.  They brought down the house both times.  Too bad I've missed them in person.

But that's not all.  Recent releases by Kanye West, Franz Ferdinand and the New Pornographers will keep me busy for a while.  Here's hoping this ride doesn't end.