The English musician Benjamin Clementine, discovered for the music in the subway of Paris, was the big winner of the Mercury Prize, the UK’s most important and legitimate in the field of popular music and one of the fastest impact has the global level, it was learned late on Friday in London. The award, which rewards the best album of the year written by a British musician, was awarded to her debut album At Least For Now .
Among the nominees were names like Florence and the Machine, Jamie xx or Aphex Twin. At the time of receiving the award he made an emotional speech, saying he was incredulous at the distinction and encouraging those who dream of achieving its purpose to never give up their dreams. Time to devote to distinguish the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris could not hold back the tears. It is recalled that it was in the French capital that turned out to start your career as a musician.
“I’m English, but I respect immense Paris, and the people of Paris, because they love art and I have to dedicate them this premium, “he said. Last Saturday the musician came to visit the site of the Bataclan concert hall in a gesture of homage to the victims of the attacks.
The musician of 25 years, which premiered in Portugal on festival Super Bock Super Rock July last in Lisbon, has now scheduled a small tour around the country, to begin already this Sunday at Theatro Circo de Braga, followed by Aveiro (3rd Tuesday Aveirense Theatre), Porto (4th Sunday, House of Music), Lisbon ( Friday, Mexefest festival) and Faro (Saturday from Figures Theatre).
In February this year, when the album was released in France, counted its history and we wrote that the singer, composer and pianist impressed “by magnetizing presence at grand vocal lyricism and the hybrid music with anything from classical, jazz, gospel or slight French song”.
And in June, when the album was released in the rest of Europe we went to see him Brighton, England, where we interviewed. At the time something seemed oblivious of the attention aroused: “I had no expectation especially with this album because it was the first”, he told us. “Just wanted to record my songs and give them to meet people. Everything that happened later turns out to be a bonus. “
Their story is known. He left his parents’ house at 17, wandered through the London streets and two years later tried his luck in Paris. I had contacts in France. Not mastered the language. And just to sleep on the streets, in makeshift hotels or in restaurant kitchens where he worked. At the same time, began to sing in the city’s subway and eventually be invited to record by an editor and producer who saw him sing.
His biography is a beautiful story, but when speaking to him notice is known that he wants his music is not relegated to the background, which has undoubtedly achieved: “I just want people to talk of my work, because my music is also a great story,” would tell us .
The Mercury Prize has catapulted several careers over the years. It has a credible model and prestige to match. As a rule, the recipient sees your career be driven. That’s what happened to Antony, The xx, Portishead, Arctic Monkeys, James Blake or Franz Ferdinand, now known to the general public, but only in the routes when they were awarded the Mercury. And when logic is not this, it is reward who is still in the ascendant phase of his creative path, although already known. That is what happened, for example, with PJ Harvey.
The responsibility of the music industry and the discographic traders association, the Mercury is the most credible premium in the UK sector. It is delivered in a ceremony long as Americans Grammys in music, nor have numerous categories, investing only in name. Credibility is it guaranteed by a panel of 60 people, including musicians, executives, journalists and personalities related to music.
No comments:
Post a Comment