Josh Pyke vs James Blunt: Implied Authenticity and Locality
Thursday 17 May 2007-06-04
Josh Pyke vs James Blunt: Implied Authenticity and Locality
Whilst recently reading an interview on the Sydney Morning Heralds website with the emerging indie/alternative artist Josh Pyke, I wondered how other, more wideley known musicians interviews must read. I chose James Blunt as my case study.
You can read both here:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/the-truth-hurts/2006/04/06/1143916647435.html?page=1
http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/josh-pyke/2007/04/09/1175970989534.html
There were two major differences I noted between the two articles: the implication of both authenticity and locality.
In the Josh Pyke interview it talks mainly of his new alum, his upcoming gig and where he has essentially emerged from. Strong reference is made to his relatable personal life in Sydney, his parents, and his educational upbringing. It also talks of his struggle as an emerging artist, and his influences from better bands.
By stark contrast, James Blunt’s interview begins with:
“From a battered case, Blunt gets out his favourite acoustic guitar, a 1966 Gibson. In torn and frayed Levi's, sensible jumper and knackered trainers, Blunt perches on a stool in this windowless bunker. He's short and slight but with a definite hint of bicep bulge. This rosy-cheeked former captain in the Life Guards looks like a scruffy mature student who needs a haircut, and perhaps something done about those flecks of grey. The only thing bling about the 28-year-old responsible for the biggest-selling album of 2005 is a gold signet ring on his left pinkie, bearing the family crest of the Hampshire Blounts - the original spelling of his name. (No, says Blunt, he didn't change his name to appear less posh. "Blunt" is simply how you pronounce "Blount".)”
Clearly in this interview, attempting to affirm the ‘realness’ of Blunt/Blount is of high priority, something which isn’t directly mentioned in the Pyke interview. In fact, the only reference we have in Pyke’s interview to his outward appearance is to his “reddish-brown beared” – a fair scale down from the entire paragraph describing Blunt’s “torn, frayed and sensible” appearance, attempting to down play the fact he has sold millions of dollars worth of records.
Its also interesting to note that there is no strong reference in the latter interview of where he originates from, by comparison to Pyke’s, merely references to his time in ‘Kosovo’ as a heroic member of the military.
Josh Pyke vs James Blunt: Implied Authenticity and Locality
Whilst recently reading an interview on the Sydney Morning Heralds website with the emerging indie/alternative artist Josh Pyke, I wondered how other, more wideley known musicians interviews must read. I chose James Blunt as my case study.
You can read both here:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/the-truth-hurts/2006/04/06/1143916647435.html?page=1
http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/josh-pyke/2007/04/09/1175970989534.html
There were two major differences I noted between the two articles: the implication of both authenticity and locality.
In the Josh Pyke interview it talks mainly of his new alum, his upcoming gig and where he has essentially emerged from. Strong reference is made to his relatable personal life in Sydney, his parents, and his educational upbringing. It also talks of his struggle as an emerging artist, and his influences from better bands.
By stark contrast, James Blunt’s interview begins with:
“From a battered case, Blunt gets out his favourite acoustic guitar, a 1966 Gibson. In torn and frayed Levi's, sensible jumper and knackered trainers, Blunt perches on a stool in this windowless bunker. He's short and slight but with a definite hint of bicep bulge. This rosy-cheeked former captain in the Life Guards looks like a scruffy mature student who needs a haircut, and perhaps something done about those flecks of grey. The only thing bling about the 28-year-old responsible for the biggest-selling album of 2005 is a gold signet ring on his left pinkie, bearing the family crest of the Hampshire Blounts - the original spelling of his name. (No, says Blunt, he didn't change his name to appear less posh. "Blunt" is simply how you pronounce "Blount".)”
Clearly in this interview, attempting to affirm the ‘realness’ of Blunt/Blount is of high priority, something which isn’t directly mentioned in the Pyke interview. In fact, the only reference we have in Pyke’s interview to his outward appearance is to his “reddish-brown beared” – a fair scale down from the entire paragraph describing Blunt’s “torn, frayed and sensible” appearance, attempting to down play the fact he has sold millions of dollars worth of records.
Its also interesting to note that there is no strong reference in the latter interview of where he originates from, by comparison to Pyke’s, merely references to his time in ‘Kosovo’ as a heroic member of the military.
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