European Music – Digested

Introduction

One of the factors which gave me the inspiration to look into European music was to find something beyond what I see on the main shelves of the record shops, hear all the time on the radio or see on the music channels (when I get the chance to watch them) – Indie, a manufactured singer or band, or music of American origin such as R&B & Rap. Relating to the latter, can you think of any European bands or singers whose music leads to social effects in the same way that Rap does?

I want to highlight that whereas the UK music industry is being infested (on TV, the radio & in the stores) at will by bands, singers & even types of music from the USA, and flooded by manufactured artists who are there to make a quick earner for people like Simon Cowell & Louis Walsh (and as a result have a life span that is equivalent to a fast train journey from Warrington to London!), the Europeans of today don’t get a look in. How often do you come across a European artist on the TV or radio compared to their American & UK counterparts?

Music from Europe

Belgian singer Lara Fabian was one of the first European singers I listened to but how you think I found out about her? Did I hear one of her songs her on the radio? Was it a recommendation by a friend? None of these! I was looking at some CDs on Amazon’s website & she was suggested as an alternative artist.

Do you remember the song Superstar by Jamelia, which reached #3 in the UK in 2003? If so, were you aware that it is a cover? Christine Milton released the song before Jamelia and it reached number 1 in her native Denmark, selling enough to earn her both a gold & platinum record. Jamelia’s version done well in Europe, reaching #14 in Spain & #19 Eire and getting into the top 10 in Austria (#3), France (#3), Germany (#4) & Lithuania (#2), to name a few. Outside the continent, it got to number 1 in New Zealand & Australia and registered at #16 in Indonesia. If Christine’s version of Superstar had been released internationally (regardless of whether or not you think it would have done better than Jamelia), do you think it would have been big enough to make her well known both in Europe (including the UK) & outside the continent?

Influence of the Europeans

The influence of ABBA ranges from ranges from having fans such as Phil Oakey & Noel Gallagher who are also involved in the industry, to having shows created from their music such as Mamma Mia & Björn Again. The first album by Swedish band A*Teens & an album by fellow Swedes Alcazar were made up of ABBA covers, and many other artists have either covered or sampled their songs, for example Madonna used a sample of Gimme, Gimme, Gimme! in the song Hung Up.

Bernard Sumner of New Order (formerly Joy Division) & Electronic said the late Ian Curtis (Joy Division’s singer) listened to Kraftwerk, and these were also cited as an influence by Martyn Ware & Ian-Craig Marsh of Heaven 17 (formerly in the Human League). Ian has also cited two other bands from Germany that were influential – Neu! & Can.

Influences on the Europeans

As far as electronic music goes, the level of influence that New Order, the Human League & Depeche Mode have on the Europeans draws comparisons to the influence of Kraftwerk on their own music. Nun have cited all three of these bands on the sleeve of their album Sunlight, while the Human League & Depeche Mode are mentioned on the myspace pages of Elegant Machinery & Greek band Marsheaux.

UK-based Danish singer/songwriter Tina Dico mentioned fellow singer/songwriters Leonard Cohen & Bob Dylan as her influences, while Belgian singer Natalia Druyts has noted Celine Dion, Madonna & Anastacia among her favourite artists and fellow Belgian Dani Klein of Vaya Con Dios has mentioned Otis Redding as the artist she would like to imitate the most because of how interesting she finds his singing style.

Barriers to Success & Why?

Hanna Pakarinen won the first series of Idols in her native Finland in 2004, has gone on to make three albums & represented her country in the 2007 ESC. My only guess is that having made herself well known in Finland, she wants to become well known all over Europe & maybe even outside the continent. However, if Idols or any other European equivalents of X-Factor, Fame Academy & Pop Idol were made more accessible to viewers in the UK & USA by being broadcast with translations or in English and were shown on BBC or ITV, would someone like Hanna have to go to such lengths to be recognised?

If you’re wondering why some European bands have been chart-toppers but others haven’t even had a mention in the UK, ask yourself why that could be the case. Do you think it’s something simple, like the quality of the music from our European neighbours is not good enough? Or is it market-related and if so in what way? Is it that the music a European artist produces does not fit in with the in-thing in the market or could it be that record companies like the material produced by the Europeans but find it difficult to promote & market in the UK? Or is it something more in depth such as a barrier in communication or understanding because of a European not singing in English?

Area for the Lighthearted

Kemopetrol got their name from a Czech ice-hockey team called Chemopetrol Litvínov. The band’s singer, Laura Närhi thought it was a cool name!

When wanting to access files involving the Swedish band Bodies Without Organs, think before you say any of the following (and please make sure you’re not eating or drinking before you read as it may put you off!) – open it, look into it, and get into it.

Notes

This is shortened version of my article on European music.

© Copyright 2007