We need to talk more about music because it's amazing. Have you heard it?

There have been times in Birmingham's history when it's been well served by bloggers and fanzines, I fondly remember loads of it. The fanzines have survived longer than web archiving allowed the blogs to, but they were there, documenting all of the amazing music that was happening. At the moment we have a lot of amazing music  but fewer people talking about it online. If you were looking from the outside you might conclude that Birmingham has less going on than it actually does.

I used to write a blog on the old Autumn Store website. I talked about bands and some of the practical stuff about putting gigs on. Seeing as I had the website and means of writing a blog I thought I should do it again. I live in Birmingham (or close to) so expect that to be the focus. I enjoy indiepop so expect posts about that. Other cities have a lot going on such as Coventry, and London's alright I guess so maybe I'll write about things I go to there too.

This is a blog in the spirit of a fanzine, not music journalism. I'm not an impartial observer. Quite the opposite, I'm quite partial to all of the amazing gigs I go to. Why go to gigs you know you won't enjoy for the shits and giggles of dishing out crappy reviews to people who are trying their best. If it means that someone doesn't listen to a band they would otherwise love then that seems to miss the point of writing it down.

This isn't a complete account of everything in Birmingham. It can't be. I've been to gigs in Birmingham for the last 25 years and I have never got a handle on everything. It's full of expansive chaotic glory. To give a full account would be impossible and miss the point. I will miss loads of amazing stuff I know, but this is my account of what's going on. Please please please write yours if I'm missing things because I want to read what other people have to say. The more people who are doing this the stronger we all are.

I'm also an active participant. Yeah - action research! As you know from this site I put on sporadic indiepop/shoegaze/DIY nights. I also play in a band called Falling and Laughing. When I write about my gigs I'll try and tell it from my perspective and what I'm thinking and doing as a promoter or performer.

I think that summarises my thoughts for now. I'm not sticking a review date on it, it will evolve over time. I hope you enjoy reading and want to start your own blog/fanzine/conversation.

Dunc