John Robb is a music journalist that has appeared in many aspects of the media. I personally had seen him on the Culture Show, BBC 2, when they appeared in Manchester for a special. He sat along side some other very influential critics and journalists (Mark Kermode). I didn’t recognize the name however, it was his outlandish appearance and punk-esque hair cut that gave him away.
He started out by outlining his own background and musical passion, that was evident by the chains and boots he wore. He had been brought up with the Buzzcocks and the sex pistols although he made the point that good music is good music, “there is no such thing as a guilty pleasure…” Blackpool being his place of origin he argued that it was hard to have any connections with music if you weren’t living in a big city, comparing how easily today’s internet culture can have everything at once where ever they are. One remark about zines that I regarded with some interest; zines are no longer really in circulation; they are dying out along with the printed word; thus he claimed blogs were the new medium for fan-boys and enthusiasts. Whereas once he had cut and paste onto sheets of paper he was now typing and editing a web page, apparently too formal for a punk. His views on the internet were conflicted as it allowed for specific interests in music to come together and celebrate and further the genre; at the same time free downloads take much of the money away from these smaller factions thus a paradox is created. His own website that he ran seemed to be popular although non-profit and he said he scarcely pays anyone to add articles. It would seem merely for the elite music lover to write about what they love for free.
Music journalism is not a path I wish to travel down. I did find the lecture of great help in that it showed that all one needs to be is motivated. John Robb was being flown around the world to venues and to interview bands he loved for free and receiving a wage at the same time (apparently he still picked up the dole though). Passion should be the main driving force behind type of career. With lots on my own personal to-do list I felt very lazy. He proved to me that one can make your interests work for you, he also made it apparent that it is better to get on and do things rather than object and criticize on the basis of personal taste. Probably true but odd for a punk to conform.
rolloaiscott 