Glastonbury 2013: My 4th Time to Avalon - A Mini Review

After one year off, and what felt like an infinite wait, Glastonbury 2013 seemed to come and go in a Jumpin' Jack Flash. That said, time did momentarily stop on Mick Jagger's face... before it caught up with itself again really quickly, horrifying small children, and anyone watching the Glasto coverage on HD televisions.

Anyway.

The bill for Glastonbury 2013 was crammed full of major headline acts (many of them not in headline slots), and came with more than a smattering of hidden gems. As a result the festival line up was clash central. So much so, making decisions on what to see each day was the biggest worry I had all weekend. I needn't have worried, I didn't see one disappointing act. And before you ask, no. I didn't watch Mumford and Sons.*

Not much is certain in the fields of Glastonbury, but I have learned one truth: everybodys' experience of Glastonbury festival is different. Even attempting to give a comprehensive review would be a fools errand. That said, here is a brief overview of this year's festival highs and lows as I saw them.

For me, Glastonbury 2013 was a chance to see many acts I had been trying and failing to watch live for years. I certainly made the most of the opportunity. Below my mini review you will also find I've included a 'long list' of everything I watched (for context as much as geekery). Please comment if you saw anything I didn't (even if it was just on the tele), or want to share your thoughts on any of the acts listed. I love a good discussion, and new musical recommendations.

GlastonHighs

•  Phoenix 

The ultra-suave Parisians are simply the coolest band I've ever seen. The drummers passion compliments the bands outstanding contributions to slightly geeky fashion. They are stylish, and just a little eccentric. In Phoenix exceptional stage craft meets quirky showmanship and slick performance. Their set felt hyper energetic, yet perfectly controlled. Their set also featured a number of tracks that were seamlessly interwoven with each other; a pretty neat touch. In all honesty, the only fault of their performance was it was all over too soon. That said, it absolutely left everybody wanting more.

• Ben Howard

"Surf-folk vibes for a sun drenched Saturday. Serene yet powerful, like the seas that inspires his music." said a pretentious blogger, this one time.

• Daughter

Daughter aren't the sort of act that forces you to remember them. There was no showing off, or any musical cries of 'look at me'. In fact the performers themselves all came across very humble. I left their show having enjoyed it, they do craft a stunningly beautiful yet eery sound. I then carried on with my day, looking forward to all the other performers. It wasn't until that evening I realised how good Daughter had been. Then it clicked. Daughter don't stun you, or command that you have a reaction to their music. They haunt you. Consequently, I now have their album on repeat. All the time. In the hope repeat plays are as good as a priest who gets a kick out of exorcisms. 

• Foals

Math-rock, with a bit of dance attitude thrown in for good measure. Oh, and a rapid drummer. Psuedo-clean guitar tones take you on a journey (if you are able to enjoy/ignore Yannis Philippakis' voice).

• The Hives

The most energetic headliners not to be in a headline slot. 'For the first time ever, the festival line up has been turned upside down' announced the banterific Hives front man Howlin' Pelle Almqvist. The Hives laid down a huge gauntlet; they claimed to be the best band of the weekend, and they did this on the morning of the first day. They set the festivals' musical bar very high, and only a few challengers got close. Oh, and they also have stage Ninjas. Genius or what?

• Of Monsters and Men

They're young, very talented, and still brimming with potential. Even though I didn't know their music before going to watch them, this Icelandic ensemble turned out to be a surprise highlight of the festival. Their music is friendly, well written, and comes with a generous helping of feel-good fun. Happiness all round.

GlastonLows(AKA GlastonRegrets)

Its hard to truly regret anything at Glastonbury. For instance, I was gutted I didn't see Mick Jagger singing 'I got them moves like me'. Granted this actually happening in reality would have been a long-shot, but that sort of thinking doesn't ease the pangs of delusional disappointment I still feel...

Genuinely, I do regret only seeing half of the Chic show. I was late to the party, and it was a great party. In the same vain, I also completely missed a few acts I wanted to see. First Aid Kit eluded me this year, just as Crystal Fighters eluded me two years previous. I always seem to miss one of the bands I get irrationally excited about before the festival starts. I know I shouldn't dwell on this. Its near impossible to see everything at Glastonbury. Even Bernard with his magical watch would struggle. He'd start the festival as a schoolboy, and finish with a zimmerframe. I have definitely let these 'first world disappointments' annoy me more than than is resonable. After all, at worst I have an excuse to get out and see more great bands and music in the future.

So... I win?

Having regrets isn't really in the spirit of Glastonbury festival either. You are supposed to lose your plans when you get to the site, and you are supposed to get swept away by the festivals bizarre and irregular current. That said, there were certainly things I was hoping to do that I didn't. I guess I'll just have to do them next time. Things like:

1) Find out who was holding that Pikachu flag I see every time I go. The very same flag that taunts me when I watch my favourite performances back on TV. I like to think the flag's owner must have a similar taste in music to myself. After all, I always see it.

2) Avoid wearing myself out during the day so I can spend a full night enjoying Shangri-La.

3) Successfully wear my purpose made Tie-Dye T-shirt at some-point over the weekend.

If aspiring to become a nocturnal, flag chasing, hippy in a field isn't a good enough reason to go back to Glastonbury, I don't know what is.

What I Watched: The Long List

Thursday

Hackman
Alt-J
Eats Everything

Friday

Beady Eye
The Hives
The 1975
Jake Bugg (Acoustic)
Arthur Smith
Andy Parsons
Miles Kane (w/ Alex Turner)
Dinosaur Jr.
Foals
The Arctic Monkeys
Chic

Saturday

Beatbox Collective
Jaguar Ma
Charlie Sloth (w/ Guests)
Laura Mvula
Ben Howard
Daughter
Johnny Marr
Two Door Cinema Club
Steve Winwood
The Rolling Stones
Fatboy Slim
Chase & Status

Sunday

Zulu Winter
Leftfield Debate (Feat. Tony Benn, Billy Bragg and John Harris)
Stornoway
The Palma Violets
Of Monsters and Men
Sergio Mendes
Kate Nash
Lianne Le Havas
'Amazing Grace' (Feat Billy Brag and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.)
Phoenix
The Congos


*It is easy to hate on Mumford and Sons. Especially as their name sounds like a crap shop run by a man in a dirty off white apron, with a torn pocket. He sells thimbles, loose tobacco, golden syrup, hinges and off biscuits... I'm also pretty sure the Mumfords bring musical pleasure to a large number of people and that is important, and should not be devalued, even if they are annoying. Just listen to them. Quiet then loud, then quiet, then loud again... then quiet. Wait, no, its a pause. Or is it? No, it was just quiet, and of course, they've gone loud again; using that one hoarse-y, throat-y, roar-y note that gets absolutely abused. I guess thats just their sound. At least they have one.

If you can't tell by now, I personally find M&S difficult to warm too. Especially if I have to listen to more than one of their songs in row. Never say never, one day I might find myself singing a long. Probably with little choice, and with the ambition of saving the life of a loved one.

(Too much? Probably. Loads of bands sound the same. This one just attracts a  hyper-irrational dislike. Bite me.)

Music Videos On Repeat - July/August 2013

Over the last year I have made countless playlists. However, I've never given much time to the humble music video. Until now!

Welcome to my first audio-visual playlist. Music videos are the name of the game, so, here are my 5 of favourites music videos from the last few weeks.

I've put a little blurb underneath each video as a sort of synopsis, but I'd love to get your interpretations and opinions of the videos in the comments below. Happy viewing!

Cold Bandit - Dust Clears

Slightly surreal on first watch, but the narrative of the video seems to make more sense every-time you watch it.  The vid also gets bonus points because the band filmed it. Plus, (one for the skaters) there is a kickflip executed towards the end of the vid - but it is performed on a make shift ice-board. Pretty frozen lake cool.

Lucy Rose - Bikes

I love juxtaposition, and this video is full of it. A small girl starts numerous fights with burly bikers over spilt milk, whilst pulling a series of comedy faces to express anger. The music is completely out of keeping with the subject matter of the video, probably due to the use of glockenspiel, yet it all seems to work together regardless. This video is light entertainment at its nonsensical best. 

Ramona Flowers - Lust and Lies

Honestly, the video is a little predictable despite its original concept, but, 1) it doesn't matter that much, and 2) the video does explore the lyrics of the song, turning them into an outlandish but visually engaging tale of woe. The ending of the story is left open - leaving you in a ponderous state. I guess thats good, if pondering floats your boat. 

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks 

In this video animation is combined with acted film, with the gap between the two being bridged by intense and impressive levels of make up. I guess there is a plot to be dissected too, but its very difficult not to be drawn in by the video's art. This is an immersive video, with plenty to look at. 

James Blake - Retrograde

In truth, I have no idea if anything actually happens in this video. You are taken on a journey, the music is chilling, and there is a comet - why? Not a clue. Its probably all cleverly connected to the word 'retrograde'. Either-way, I can't be sure that any of it actually means anything. I just know that I keep re-watching the video, find myself being distracted by the dazzling use of slow motion, and repeatedly forget if anything important has, will, or might happen. My brain hurts. 

(Bonus Video) 

Daughter - Youth

A text book no frills music video: A classic feeling black and white production, with well considered lighting and a band that actually look to be playing in time to their own record. The track is hauntingly powerful, and the impact of the music could have been lessened by a high budget production. I guess simple can sometimes win out. 

Almost A Musical Study: Rodney Mullen

Life is tough. It grinds you down, and chips away at your soul. The trick is keeping happy.

Until recently I had forgotten that skateboarding makes me happy. Without realising the impact of my actions, I had been neglecting a core part of my identity, and I was feeling worse for it. To try and make amends for this, I thought I'd go back to my roots, and remember why I first fell in love with skateboarding. Then it struck me.

 I didn't fall in love with skateboarding alone, I fell for an entire philosophy.

Skateboarding is many things to many people. For some, skateboarding is nothing more than wheels on wood, for others, it is the heart and soul of everything they do. Rodney Mullen is one of the latter kind of people. He isn't the reason that I started skating, but he is the reason that I am still doing it. 

Rodney isn't the easiest of character to introduce either, but one thing is clear - his love of skateboarding is pure. Any non-skaterboarders reading this are probably now thinking 'Rodney who'? Essentially, he is perhaps the most influential skater since skateboardings initial inception. 

Skateboarding is what he breathes in, and progression is what he breathes out. 

Mullen pretty much invented every fundamental trick all contemporary skaters use to express themselves, and he speaks about everything he does (and has done) with an inspirational passion. In short, Rodney Mullen is the humble pioneer responsible for cementing skateboardings' foundations. Without him we would not have the tricks that now bind individual skateboarders together with a collective sense of identity. 

Even though his most athletic days might be behind him, Rodney now spends the time he is not skating campaigning; spreading the word about the benefits of skateboarding. Skateboarding by its very nature is an individual's pursuit, and there are a multitude of approaches to it - but as Rodney explains, skateboarding has become a global 'open source community'. A community grounded in reinvention, redefinition, and innovation. A community of creative thinkers. Of course, there are good skaters and bad skaters (in both style and outlook) within this community, but that is not what is important. 

What is important is that all skateboarders can call themselves skateboarders. 

Skateboarding might be nothing more than an earthly distraction, but for many it is the only purpose they have in their lives, and for others, it is the purpose their lives are missing. 

I count myself amongst the lucky. I have the time, the opportunity, and the resources, to explore many interests that give me a sense of purpose, fulfilment, belonging and identity. So, last weekend I decided to combine a few of these interests. The result is the below musical sketch.

Almost A Musical Study: Rodney Mullen

To make this track I scoured the internet and found two interviews with Rodney Mullen: one recent, and one from the start of his career. I also recorded the sound of myself doing a kickflip, a trick Mullen invented, and added the sound to the musical sketch I created. Finally, I added an old clip and a recent photo of myself skating to the mix. 

The track I produced feels individual, and a lot of people won't understand it, but I enjoyed the time I invested into it. Whats more, I am happy I did spend my time in this way. Interestingly, this is usually how I feel when I've been for a skate. 

So, by now you've probably also guessed that Rodney Mullen is a hero of mine. Though I might not ever meet him, or see him skate with my own eyes, I am happy in the knowledge that I don't need to...

Rodney Mullen has made a positive impression on me: he kept me a skateboarder - but one with a sense of perspective about, and a positive outlook on, why I skate. Hopefully he'll impress these beneficial sentiments upon many more people to come.

Right, time to go skate.

'Music is All' and The Sonic Self-portrait: One 8tracks Playlist a Month, for a Year

One day, back in early 2012, a friend introduced me to an unassumingly cool little website called 8tracks.com. Personally, I have always taken great pleasure from recommending songs to friends and family - as well as trying to get ahead of the popular music curve. I will happily spend valuable hours discussing musical trends and movements with likeminded, sonically engaged, individuals. It has always been apparent to me that music just has some inherently fulfilling quality about it.

When a talented artist invests some semblance of themselves into a track, music becomes something more than organised sounds. Music becomes a pure art form; supremely expressive and exploratory. Just a few seconds of music can cheat the rules of time, and transport you to different eras and memories.

Music is power.

The more you listen to life, the more you realise music is everywhere, and it is always playing a role. Its no wonder that I started to ask myself questions like; what effect has music had on me? Has the music I listen to defined me? And if so, why and how?

These are difficult questions to answer.

It seems music is now perhaps the most outwardly obvious foundation of my own identity. I latch onto ideas and world views embedded and vested into lyrics; and I score my own life to the interplay between the bass drums and chord changes that I find resonate. Essentially; music paints the landscape in which I walk, whilst also defining the pace at which I observe and enjoy it.

To better understand the impact music has had (and is continuing to have) on me, I decided to paint an audible self-portrait. A self-portrait painted by using of the works of others.

Every month I made a playlist, took a photograph, and wrote a small amount of text inspired by the time and place within which I then existed. The results of these efforts you see below. So, without furthermore ado, I present to you a year of my life (June 2012 to June 2013), time-locked into 12 playlists.

The Sonic Self-portrait

1.

Joon from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

4 new tracks from Newcastle (Toon) bands + 4 songs on repeat in June = Joon.

2.

50 Shades of July from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

A lacivious mix to get your pulse racing this greyest of summers..

3.

An Olympic August from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

A bright soundtrack to a golden summer...

4.

September, and the shadow of summer from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

A mix to reflect the bright end to summer, beckon cold crisp air, and celebrate transient autumnal light.

5.

One Night In October from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

A cascade of sound to enjoy as the leaves fall and clocks change...

6.

No!vember, consume December... from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

I skipped my monthly 8tracks mix for November because apparently November's purpose is advertising December. The songs in this mix aren't Christmas-y. We're celebrating November in December. Pow! Take that logic / world.

7.

Jan, You're Free from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

A mere month after the Mayan time keeping device was defeated by people doing absolutely nothing, we usher in yet another new year. We reclaim our liberty and freedom to once again listen peacefully to the sounds of life. Here is a celebratory mix for 2013.

8.

Fabruary '13 from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

The fab-best of Feburary 2013. Or at worst, the best of a killer month. Dance-y and chilled all at once. Saaaay what?

9.

Alas, the years keep March'n from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

Time marches, and we find ourselves in the month of March already. How did we make it this far so quickly?

This mix attempts to mimic the march of time by treading both slowly and quickly from Electro vibrations to Rock music - with the mix's final denouement cheating death and time itself.

10.

Ape-Thrill(s) from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

Spring returns, and brings with it our most primal compulsions. This mix explores the variety of emotions we feel when awaking from a prolonged winter hibernation; celebrating our optimism and hopes for a joyous summer.

11.

Bonus Round 1: April Remixes from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

Watch out, April's vibe is getting remixed.

12.

May, the Rain... from scottcho on 8tracks Radio.

May the rain fall,
and the tunes pour,
May the sun shine,
and the music become something more...

A hipster's guide to the 'Sonic Self Portrait'

The sonic portrait above spans a year, and in this time the sitter has changed, not just in pose and stance, but in character. The portrait is dynamic.

Though the portrait will perhaps change more, and mean more, for the subject than for any other viewer, it is drawn from, and draws on the works of others. It will hold countless other meanings for a myriad of anonymous souls, and in turn, these meanings will continue to change as the years pass. This portrait is the embodiment of an endless year.

Despite the portraits dynamism, and its ability to transcend time and audiovisual contexts, there is one constant truth present:

Music is all.

A Mothers’ Day Victoria Sponge, Against the Odds – Introducing 'The Victory Sponge!’

This mother’s day I decided I’d try and do something a little different, whilst challenging myself in the process. I decided to try baking. After all every Mum loves a cake, and good Mums like anything that their kids do, no matter how badly they do it. Luckily, I’m blessed with a great mum, with fantastic patience despite having been tormented for 23 years with shitey crayon drawings and bad jokes. Surely, she’d love a cake to celebrate the completely non-corporate festivities of Mothers’ day - no matter how woefully un-cake-like it could turn out?

So it was decided. I shall bake! And that is what I did.

The only real problem was, I’ve never really baked, well not solo anyway.  I think my lack of baking to date is down to the fact that I’m quite choosey when it comes to the cakes I like. I have a pretty rigid idea of what I think constitutes a cake. Also there are a number of luscious cakey varieties I just don’t think I could stomach, let alone bake. For these reason I decided to avoid the mothers’ day cliché of chocolate, and bake a Victoria Sponge - but give it a unique and personal twist. This cake I would later dub, the Victory Sponge! A cake baked against the odds.

The Recipe:

I actually stayed fairly loyal to the Victoria Sponge recipe I sourced on the Big British Castle website which you can find by clicking here. Well, I say I stayed loyal, loyal in the first instance anyway… excluding cock-ups. I followed the recipe and directions to bake the sponge element of the cake, then I went off road. I guess this makes me some sort of a cake maverick.

Instructions for Baking a Victory Sponge!

Put on the Atoms for Peace’s debut album ‘Amok’, loud.

Measure out the ingredients.

Add the margarine to sugar.

Add the Flour, the Eggs, and the vanilla extract to the sugary marge puddle you just made.

Stir, whisk, and beat the mixture until you get arm ache - because baking is strangely physical.

Go out for 3 hours…

Wait a minute. What?

Come back home after wandering around aimlessly until you remembered you’re actually supposed to be baking.

Re-pre-heat oven.

Dollop the mix into two cake tins. Cook for 28 minutes at 180 degrees because you can’t wait two minutes longer.

Place your awesome cake on a cooling rack, and marvel because you haven’t re-baked ‘Grey Cake’ - that tasteless cakey sensation you baked with your younger brother when you were 14.

Shut your laptop hiding BBC food, fasten your seatbelt, tighten your jam roll cage, and switch to 4x4 mode. It’s time to go off the rocky road.  << These are terrible cake jokes. But, I bet they’d be funny if I had said them in Greggs.

Cut the two cake bases in half – providing 4 layers of cake, not a simple sandwich cake like the BBC website wants you to have. You’re a rebel, f*ck instructions.

Consult your Mum because you’re not that much of a rebel, and you’ve got lost in the perils of the cakey outback after going off road without a map.

Bin the intended 4^th layer of cake because it doesn’t look to have cooked as well as the other 3 – you’ve still got a double sponge sandwich on your hands, so you’re also still a rebel. Pow! Take that Merry Berries.

Prepare fresh strawberries (which you lightly sugar), and blackberries that you hope are both tart and tangy.

Add clotted cream to the 2 bottom layers (because you want this to taste like a giant mega scone), and seedless jam to the underside of the 2 top layers.

Decorate and fill the bottom sandwich with strawberries, and the top sandwich with blackberries.

Place on a square plate even though the cake is circular because you’re edgy.

Pre-maturely tweet a picture of the cake because you’re super proud it looks like a cake and not an undercooked yet fruity pile of vom.

I baked this cake - super #proud of my first cake attempt! twitter.com/SirScottofMac/…
— Scott McLoughlin (@SirScottofMac) March 10, 2013

Feel your heart sink as a friend informs you it looks like a “Big Mac”.

Die on the inside when another chimes in asking “do you want fries with that?”

@rossmcgeown @sirscottofmac Do you want fries with that?
— Craig (@Craigloves) March 10, 2013

Feel renewed hope when you are informed you forgot to frost the cake.

Add the missing frosting, and once again ‘feel the biz’.

Serving the cake:

I went with a sideplate full of cake, with extra fruit and a pot of tea for good measure.

Oooh yeaaa. You’ve arrived at the taste party.

Did it taste good?

Well there wasn’t any left. So either it was unbelievably good, or my Mum once again proved she is a lovely lovely person, willing to eat cakey nonsense to see me smile. 

Music Power: An exploration of culture in search of the ultimate snowboarding playlist

Music and snowboarding - my two great passions. The first and last thing I think about each day. Effortlessly complimentary, with one infinitely enhancing the other when a perfect match of track and snow is made.

If you're as much of a musical purist as myself, choosing the tracks you ride to is no small matter. There’s a lot to think about. After all, the songs you listen to ultimately soundtrack your truest moments of freedom: the time you spend closest to nature, and the time you spend defying it. The tracks you shred to will inevitably score the best days of your life - that day you conquered the mountain, that perfect power day, the day you stuck the landing clean, and the days you forgot you had 9 – 5 stresses. No pressure then.

Profoundness aside, I do believe that snowboarding and music just make each other better. Not only can music help your performance on the board, it can help you recall and remember the good times with more fondness. Music can carry you up that freezing chairlift, or give you an energy boost to trudge through the deepest powder to hit that once in a lifetime spot. As Richard Ashcroft says many many times over 4 minutes, music is power.

As I’m sure you’re all well aware, there have been countless scientific studies into the ‘power of music’. In truth there are a way too many disciplines and approaches examining this concept to discuss at length here (though this viral video is one heart warming example). Extreme sports athletes particularly seem to draw power from music. Almost every snowboarding video you see these days shows at least one rider directly plugged into their MP3 player as if its an actual power source. Of course, these same riders are then shown dropping some "next level shiz". This isn't merely coincidence, is it?

Pro Vox - Jenny Jones

"Do you have a track you can’t stop listening to when you ride?"

@sirscottofmac two songs from drive soundtrack, rad for first runs in the morning
— Jenny Jones (@jennyjonessnow) January 1, 2013

I personally ride with the vain hope that the ‘Mozart effect’ will magically help me stomp a perfect switch back 9, but considering I still find button lifts an unexpected challenge, I think that this hope is a little bit pipe dream. Nevertheless, our apparent need to harness and utilise the power of music at a personal level has emerged as lucrative market. Sadly, the technology that enables us put good music to good use is valued much more highly than the music itself. People are more than happy to spend their money on a smart phone or a music player. Disappointingly, many of these people then cringe at music prices, and hunt out the nearest torrent. I do find it a little bizarre that people have such an eversion to supporting the artists and musicians that give such desirable pieces of tech a purpose and a soul. Our society seems to crave technology, but it fails to see that its the creative content produced by artists, not the gadgets themselves, that makes their lives more fulfilling.

2012 was yet another year where music sales struggled, but almost counter-intuitively headphones sales appeared to grow exponentially. 2012 could easily have been dubbed 'the year of headphones'. Snowboarding, like mainstream fashion, has seen a huge increase in the number of dedicated brands providing stylish cans to wear whilst you get it done on the slopes. Mercifully snowboarding/headphone crossover brands, such as ‘Frends’ for example, have adopted more bespoke approaches to audio gear. With snowboarding culture acting as the foundation for these brands, they seem to go about their day-to-day business with a reverence to the unwritten rider's ethos of 'independence'. This is stark contrast to the Beats by Dre cash cow, for example - a brand which seems to reek of  ‘look the same’, ‘fit in’ and ‘be like everyone else / Justin Bieber’.

Dr Dre's 'Beats' headphones gate crashed the London 2012 Olympic games setting the standard for mass audio-fashion

Image from (http://www.the2012londonolympics.com/forum/business-london-2012-olympics/19275-dr-dre-beats-strict-olympic-marketing-rules-giving-his-high-end-headphones-athletes.html)

Of course, the 'on board' music experience isn't the only way boarding and music combine. Snowboarding, like skateboarding before it, is cultivating its own exciting and unique fringe music movements and arts culture. Increasing numbers of snowsport-centric acts are appearing. Its interesting that whilst the snowboarding community at large continually fights to maintain its own 'alternative' identity, paradoxically it also appears to be easing itself into mainstream culture. Snowboarding is slowly but surely co-opting big name DJ’s, as well as numerous producers and acts who wish to differentiate themselves from the charts, or be associated with snowboarding's lifestyle choices. Of course some just want to play the unique events and festivals (like Snowbombing for example). It may even be the case that snowboardings' 'counter-culture' is just becoming more accessible. However, this also seems to be true for other 'energy drink affiliated sports' and their unique cultures. Coincidental? I think not.

If we're honest, its no big surprise that the free market economy has found a discreet way to infiltrate extreme sports' largely defensive and cliquey sense of identity. Its just a little strange the market intruded via the medium of energy drinks of all things. This is not to say the presence of energy drinks is a bad thing, the jury is still out. Sure, they might not be good for you, but they finance a lot within the extreme sporting world. Not only do they sponsor live events, and pump money into action sports, these fizzy caffeine brands also do exactly the same sort of things for music. Energy drinks are essentially a self appoint 'culture fuel'. Red Bull even have a record label. Rather cleverly Red Bull use their own artists to soundtrack whatever "Whoa! Cool!" ad campaign they then wish to push. Case point - AWOLNATION (aka, abuse of caps lock) provides the song for this frankly inspired video / advert in disguise:

As the above video demonstrates, it seems that Red Bull have learnt one thing from extreme sports culture: a good choice of song can make a video edit great, and great videos and great songs get remembered - the Art of Flight, anyone? The awe inspiring big mountain epic / Red Bull über ad? (Who knew helicopters had so much ad space on them?)

Cynicism aside, the soundtracks on shred flicks have always been, and continue to be a point of artistic and personal expression. Soundtracking an edit still remains a potent channel for musicians to widen their audience reach, or claim endorsement by revered sporting icons. You could also argue these films map the socio-cultural borders of where snowboarding culture and popular culture overlap. The Art of Flight is particularly interesting in this regard, as it is arguably the most commercially orientated pure snowboarding film ever released - its soundtrack indulges popular culture whilst simultaneously thrusting lesser appreciated artists onto new audiences and unsuspecting potential fanbases. 

So I know what you’re thinking, “Blah Blah Blah, music is great, or at least it used to be before I read this long winded obituary of an article. When will this now legnthy article get to a list of tunes I can cruise too?!? Blah.”

Well, that’s a good question, if you’re going for a cruise… What if you’re hitting the backcountry, or sessioning the park? Music can absolutely make riding better, but only if you make good musical choices to ride to.

So now, take a quick moment, and ask yourself - what do you need the music to do for you? Do you need inspiration, or just a beat to hold your flow to? Are you hoping to emulate a hero? Will riding to the music from their latest vid part really push you to their level? Or do you just want to loose yourself completely in the moment? So much to think about… and over think about.

Personally, I’ve found that certain genres match certain riding styles and moods. So, I have rustled up a couple of ‘Match my mood and/or style to a genre of music’ info graphics (click here to use them). These hopefully will offer some playlist inspiration, or at least get you thinking. Ultimately, any given day, you know yourself, and your mood, what you want to ride, and which tunes get you going. So without any further ado, here is my list of:

Scott's Top Ten Tracks To Ride To

Of course these are just a few tracks from a much longer (constantly evolving) playlist, but they are my most played. I’ve also put a bit of an explanation about why I’ve chosen each; part sentiment, part taste. 100% bliss. Enjoy.

1. Hybrid - Finished Symphony - My first exposure to snowboarding was through playing SSX tricky. I gave the game a go because it looked a bit like skateboarding. This track was used on the back-country level "Untracked". Ever since hearing this song whilst cruising the virtual off-pieste I knew that one day I wanted to do that.
2. Skrillex - Summit - The soundtrack to my first off-pieste expedition.
3. Eagles of Death Metal - I Want You So Hard - Something to ride fast and angry to.
4. Pretty Lights - High School Art Class - Musical inspiration and wishful emulation - this track is used by Torstein Horgmo in an edit for DC. The music made that video part something especially inspiring.
5. The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary - I first heard this whilst playing Dave Mirra, I couldn't get into BMX but I've skated and snowboarded to this track ever since. 
6. Bon Iver - Skinny Love (Das Kapital Re-Rub) - I first heard this on a short but steezy edit by Torstein Horgmo (he curates his vid's music really well). The beat is big and consistent, and the song has a gentle flow. Its just great to ride to. 
7. Placebo - Every You, Every Me - I first heard this song watching the Flip Skateboards' film 'Sorry'. Mark Appleyard hits a perfect Kickflip over a barrel in his first line, and goes on to hit some of the best looking grinds ever seen. I've associated this song with style ever since. Style is style is style.
8. Coldplay - Paradise - I guess this will be a contentious choice because it is cool (and easy) to hate Coldplay. I get that. However, when riding in 'all time conditions', its not worth the effort to hate the beat and sentiment of this song. Its soundtracked some good times. Plus, getting Brian Eno in as producer was tantamount to buying surplus cool points so you can give them out free to haters. 
9. Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know - This band is so full of energy they effortlessly breathe an extra few runs into any day on the mountain. In truth, I probably could have chosen any of their songs because they're so hook happy, but 'What You Know' is still the first and last track I ride to from their albums. 
10. The Wombats - Tokyo Vampire and Wolves - Is a story about escapism, and feeling free from yourself. It also reminds me that I absolutely need to go to Japan, and sample their back country powder. No, this is not a drugs reference.

So, there you have it. I hope this article has helped you on your quest to enjoy music and riding even more than you may have done before (assuming that was your quest). But, you know what? Sometimes you just don't want to listen to anything other than the sound of your descent - the sound of the mountain, and the tear of snow under you as you ride. We spend a lot of time listening to that which people have made. Sometimes, silence is golden, and other times we should just lend our ear to nature. So, in the exact opposite spirit of this entire article. When you're next riding a majestic unspoilt decent, make time to listen to nature as well.

And now time for an inconclusive, unnecessary and somewhat wanky final paragraph:

Humans may be nothing more than the sum total of all they've experienced in life to date. As a consequence, our personal tastes in music may also be nothing more than the product of circumstance, society, and nurture. One thing is for sure, times change, and I know my playlist will change with it. In an age where technology and music can be omniscient we search for our few timeless moments. If we live these moments with a soundtrack, we also compile our greatest playlists. Let the snow settle, but never let the music settle... until its perfect.

Please comment and suggest tunes for me to listen to. I’m always looking for new tracks to leave tracks to.  

Scott's 'What Music Should I Go Snowboarding to?' Problem Solving Musical Identifier Venn Diagrams!

Simply identify a colour by isolating your mood and/or riding style - then check out the suggested genres, and a few example bands to help you on your way to some new tunes. 

By Terrain and Style

By Mood

Feeling Green? When feeling at peace or overawed by those good vibes given off by nature maybe try a 'new old' combo - classical sounding music underpinned by a big beat, for that cinematic ride. Or alternately, maybe source something liquid, or with a haunting ethereal chill... 

Why not check out a few of these for starters?: 

Hidden Orchestra - Flight

Hybrid - If I Survive

Sigur Rós - Hoppipolla

The Glitch Mob - Bad Wing

Logistics -The Trip

Yppah - R.Mullen

Bonobo - Prelude + Kiara

Andrew Bayer - Paper Cranes

On the Piste everyone is equal... and equally in your way. Cut your own path and cruise to what gets you going! These songs in an ideal world should make you speedy and steezy. Such fun enhancing properties can be found in many genres: Motown, Up tempo Indie-Pop, Dance, Reggae, Jokey Metal, Jazz or Blues. There are no right or wrong answers on these slopes. Why not hit shuffle and see where the day takes you? 

If you just need to ride fast why not crank up the BPM and blast some thrash metal, or drum & bass? Racing down the hill for a drink before the party? Start the party on the way down! Go on, crack open the Dance, Trance, charts and those indulgent aprés ski euro-pop farty party bass blasters.

Thrashy ideas:
DFA 1979 - Go Home, Get Down

Queens of the Stone Age - You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire

Motley Crew- Kickstart My Heart

Entry level Drum & Bass boosters:

Pendulum - Hold Your Colour 

Empire of the Sun - We are the People (Sub Focus Remix)

Got a hankering for Style points? Do you see your self hitting rails effortlessly. Then you've got Soul, and so should your music. Either your a purist and like your soul food undiluted, or you carve the new wave, flowing to remixed grooves. You probably enjoy Old School Hip-Hop, breakbeats, Northern Soul, Chilled Reggae and hitting shapes after getting your Jib on.

Pretty Lights - Finally Moving

Gil Scott Heron - Gun

Curtis Mayfield - Get On Up

Run DMC - My Adidas 

Jurassic 5 - Break 

Cut Chemist - The Audience Is listening

Hitting the mean streets (of a completely non-ghetto snowy mountain resort) for a jam session? Or are you just in a wretched mood and need to blow off some steam? Either way, grimey, swear happy or generally angry music (ranging from emo, via screamo, to just hating rails and life etc.) is probably the medicine you're after?

NWA - Straight Outta Compton

Hadouken! - That Boy That Girl

Tinchy Stryder - Game Over

Plan B - Ill Manors

The Blackout - Fashion Conscious Suicide 

As I lay Dying - The Darkest Nights

Cat wants a sausage

My cat Spud wants a sausage...

For more videos why not check out the Usual Writing Troop's 'updates page'.