The Very Good Agency

Open the Magic Doors

Have you been looking for an interesting musical video? One that challenges your perceptions of art and music? Well have I got great news for you. Portishead, that talented bunch of folks from Bristol, have just released online the new video for the track ‘Magic Doors’, the third single off their latest album which is coincidentally called ‘Third’. the song has quite a bold, catchy, jazzy beat, which is used as a musical canvas for Beth Gibbons’ haunting vocals. The video itself has a fluid but glitchy almost D.I.Y feel to it which suits the song well, open for interpretation and speculation.

If you have already seen and liked the other singles Machine Gun and The Rip, then you should also dig this. But if you haven’t seen them and don’t mind a slightly confrontational sounds, then best you go check them out too. Especially ‘The Rip’ which has a very odd and surreal animated video, not quite like anything I’ve seen before. Very interesting and experimental if nothing else. Glad to see the Portishead team back in the game after their long tea-break/hiatus between 1999-2005ish.

Portishead – Magic Doors

“Through the glory of life
I will scatter on the floor
Disappointed and sore
And in my thoughts I have bled
For the riddles I’ve been fed
Another lie moves over”

(The Rip – Portishead)

there is no other place…Yossarian

Tags: Music video, Trip Hop

Australasia gets a little Tricky

Going to concerts has been an everyday thing for as long as I can remember now, from seeing my mother perform as a child, to the scar punk groups that had me moving my drunken teenage body like never before, and just about everything imaginable between and since. Such a part of my existence concerts have become, that I rarely feel the anticipation prior to seeing an artist or band these days, whatever their stature may be.

English Trip Hop legend Tricky however, was a different story…

Tricky has arrived on Australasian shores to play ‘Splendour In The Grass’ 2008, last night I was lucky enough to be at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda, Melbourne to see him… or so I thought.

Tricky feat. Ed Kowalczyk of US band Live and Hawkman
Evolution Revolution Love

Catapulting to fame as a recurring member of Massive Attack, Tricky decided to go it alone in 1993 with his recognition and fame only growing as a solo artist. Due to his countless collaborations, remixes, and fellow artists sampling him, (as well as having a mother who was infatuated with the Rebirth of cool mix-tapes during my pre-pubescent years), going to see Tricky was a well overdue and pretty exciting night for me. Unfortunately, the night was not as enjoyable as I had hoped it to be.

Playing an inspiring, tight collection of his new and old pieces, encompassing his infamous mash up of trip-hop, rock, hip hop, and assorted genres, the concert was more suited to a theater performance with seating and red wine as opposed to the sold out, sardine can room full of tall people and bright lights. Special thanks goes out to Tricky on the last point, stopping mid intro to adjust the mood by casually requesting “Stop! Stop! Stop!, tun the fucken’ lights down man, ’cause that’s just how we do this”.

His random yet gripping lyricism, in combination with his unusual, intriguing character allow his stage presence to compliment the brilliance of his music, performance, arrangement, and production.

If you have already bought tickets, or are considering it… DO IT! I’m just saying if you get the option to see him in your local jazz club, or maybe living room, then go with that.

A true artist.

you can check out more of Tricky at:

www.trickyonline.com

or see him at Splendour in the Grass

… bs

Tags: Trip Hop