MUSIC: Basquiat Strings

I discovered the Basquiat Strings a few months ago after reading the film and music section in The Guardian newspaper. How astounded I was. Just looking at their photograph made me want to run out and buy their music (and I would actually have to buy it - they aren't the type of music people upload to bittorrent or whatever). I mean just look at them - how fucking cool do they look?? Anyway, I bought their album off itunes, and it was as good as I expected. Never have I heard music like this. It is a delicious mixture between contemporary classical string quintet music and jazz. I love classical music, and love jazz (but I don't listen to enough of it), so these people are perfect for me. This is probably some of the most original music I've heard - not just within their genre (whatever that may be) - but I mean out of EVERY type of music I've heard. They were nominated for a mercury prize, but alas someone more popular like The Arctic Monkeys or The Winehouse got it instead. Hence I must raise awareness! Please give their music a try even if you don't listen to classical/jazz. You might still like it. It is very entertaining. If you go on their myspace, I suggest listening to their track entitled 'Junk', for it gives you the best impression of what they are like.

Don't be fooled, in that photo you may see five people clutching on to their instruments as if without them they would seem weak and insignificant, but Basquiat Strings are in fact made up of six people. The sixth person being the most important. His name is Ben Davis, and he is in fact the one who arranges all their music. This, to me, does make a lot more sense than five people gathering around everyday to write music collaboratively. They are all, in fact, classically trained performers (apprently quite famous, but I wasn't familiar with any of them until now. It depends what circles you run in I suppose), which means it isn't really in their nature to compose music with other people. Composing classical music usually happens alone (I should know, I compose music myself). So, much of the credit should go to Ben Davis. He is a genius. I'm amazed that someone could write such music. I attempted to mimic his style but I could not (either because he is a true original or I'm just not very good).

HAIL THE BASQUIAT STRINGS


(Don't worry if you have no idea how to pronounce 'Basquiat'. I'm not even sure it's a real word. Or it could be French. Same thing)