There I was thinking that I would be driven out of Nottingham sitting on a horse backwards after having been tarred and feathered for daring to have an opinion that went against the grain and actually said it like it was about what is wrong with Nottingham’s music scene. What I experienced this weekend gave me a genuine feeling of warmth as I read through the comments and messages on Facebook, emails, tweets and this blog that was posted by Alec Bowman from Wild Man Of Europe. The fact that so many people agreed with my comments about cliques, ego and a general feeling that the Nottingham scene was anything but the happy clappy family that people say it is was a real boost to my self esteem. My original intention was to plant the messages here on the blog but have decided instead to put them all on their own page. They aren’t in chronological order but they express not only that I had a point but also that the show will be missed. To be honest, I have always thought of myself as an outsider within the local music scene, as if I’d entered the party uninvited by climbing through the toilet window and sneaking in and eating all the nibbles without asking, but it transpires that I am not alone in my opinion that something needs to be done. Finding out that I am in fact an important cog in the machine has given me fresh confidence to pursue other ways of helping to showcase local musicians. Maybe I’ll just record sessions at their house, or round mine? At least I know that there are still people willing to work with me. Last year I was told on the quiet that my opinions were alienating me and causing people to distance themselves not only from myself but also from Trent Sound, so today was just what I needed. This turned out to be bullshit spread by one person, contradicted by his or her (I never name names, I just add people to ‘the list’) appearance on Trent Sound a short while later. Yesterday afternoon I had a long chat with a fellow broadcaster and the bulk of our conversation was about the problems that (some) musicians in this city have.

So now I have to think about what happens next. I have other projects in the pipeline that aren’t music related but will put me in the world of my other great love, comedy. The Sunday Alternative podcast is now my only outlet for spreading the word about new music, and doing it once a fortnight will leave a lot of time on my hands (apart from listening to all the music I’m sent, and I am proud to say I listen to every song I receive) to explore other avenues.

A friend of mine suggested that I host my own live music events using bands and musicians that are not part of Nottingham’s clique. If I do that then I’d be guilty of forming my own clique. I’m pretty sure that the one person who spoke out against me would be straight on the fact that I had become one of the pricks that I am kicking against.

===

My daily blog can be delivered straight to your Kindle for 99p a month (link)

If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please consider showing your appreciation by way of a donation using the PayPal button above this blog. Every penny will be used to create free online content. There are currently plans for a comedy sketch series, an online cookery and music show, a video version of The Sunday Alternative and plenty more including documentaries, short films and podcasts.

Listen to The Sunday Alternative here.