News that Beth Ditto's rags to punk rock riches story will go down in history in the form of a memoir has got me thinking of the other memoirs that I need or really want to be published.
Courtney Love- Dirty Blonde
Although reviews have stated that Love's 2007 book, featuring letters, notes, lyrics and personal pictures, offers nothing new for fans I still think it will be an amzing read. Despite the press trying to slander, demean and devalue her work over the years Love has remained; a survivor and a truly inspirational individual.
Patti Smith- Just Kids
Just Kids documents the naive yet loving relationship between Smith and Robert Mapplethorne who, in the early seventies, were both aspiring artist. The story behind the youthful, creative and ambitous crowd in seventies New York is one that everyone can enjoy.
PJ Harvey- You're Not Rid Of Me
Ok this one isn't real but I really want to hear a detailed story of the person behind the artist. I know it'll spoil the myth but I don't care i'm greedy.
I had a great Christmas this year but too be honest I'm kinda annoyed that it could have been so much better if I just tuned into 6 music.
The ever fabulous Beth Ditto recorded a special Christmas programme for the station that included 2 hours of music that has inspired her over the years all wrapped up with Beth's unique take on the world.
If you missed it, like me, and are in the UK, like me, then you can listen again today at 3.30pm.
I've neglected doing this post for nearly a month now mainly because I felt my list was pretty predictable to anyone that's seen a post or two on this blog, but who cares I'll put it up anyway and if you think it's predictable you can tell me. I won't cry.
The rules of this list, yes there are rules, are that those featured have to have come to prominence in the last decade and they must have had a lasting effect on the world, or at least enough of an effect that it can be explained in written form.
Now that everything been explained let's get started...
Beyonce
I've loved Beyonce since I was shy little tween, this was before tween was a real word. I'm counting B in this list because she became a super influential star when she went solo. For all her faults, the separation of Beyonce and Sasha Fierce to name a few, she is probably the greatest pop star of her generation and one that can wiggle her crotch at you without looking too dirty. To quote the great Kanye West "Beyonce had one of the greatest videos of all time."
M.I.A
I previously discussed my annoyance with how criminally underrated M.I.A is and I'll say it again M.I.A is criminally underrated. 'Kala' was the stand out album of the last few years and saw Maya take over the world with her genre-bending, top tapping, worldtown beats. She has sung about her feminist beliefs previously and has discussed her feelings to the haters who put her down. M.I.A is the most aggressively political rapper out there who has not resided to rest on her talented laurels as many others have. She can do no wrong in my eyes.
Karen O
Karen O was my first love. I ignored all the spot ridden boys and focused all my shrinking violet energy onto Karen. Her semi-violent, colourful outbursts turned my grey mundane life into array of colours. Not only is she one of the best performers around today but she's also in an ever evolving, charismatic, super band.
Lady Gaga
I've tried my hardest to figure out this girl. She is a mass of contradictions. In a way she is an amazing pop star what with the stage costumes, grandiose performances and catchy tunes but she also lets us down sometimes. Her shaky ideas of feminism and her reliance on sexuality make me slightly wary of her but she has still made an amazing impact on music in 2009 and for that reason deserves to be on this list.
Peaches
Peaches is a true artist of the noughties. She came into our lives in 2000 like a filthy storm and blew us away with the cult hit 'Fuck the Pain Away'. More than just a one hit wonder she has stayed around the whole decade to entertain us with her sex-crazed, fun filled spectacular shows.
Beth Ditto
Beth is probably the woman who sums up this decade. To compensate for our society's sick obsession with thin women we developed a sick obsession with supposed 'real women'. This led to a sick obsession with one larger woman named Beth Ditto. The constant tabloid obsession would have destroyed a lesser woman but not Beth. She has enough charm, personality and talent to brave the tabloid storm for now and probably another decade as well.
It feels like I've been waiting forever and a day for the gossip's new album. Ever since I heard the demos of 'heavy cross', 'spare me from the mold' and '8th wonder' last year I knew their new album was going to be amazing. Now I don't have to wait too much longer as the album comes out in just over a week and the the video for the new single 'heavy cross' has premiered on YouTube, through Perez Hilton strangely enough.
It has garnered some criticism with some calling it another 'SITWOC'. I can see the comparison but I'm not sure if I really care, I just love dancing to too much. It allows you have one of those Le Tigre-esque eau d'bedroom dancing moments where you let loose alone in your room without worrying about who's looking at you. I invite you all to draw the curtains, put on 'heavy cross' and flail your limbs about like your having a seizure. It's fun I swear.
