The Scroobius Pip Awards 2008!!!
Ladies and Gentleman its what you have all been waiting for.
Its that time of the year and i have compiled my awards for you to mull over and discuss during the christmas period.
AND THE WINNERS ARE….
Best Live Show:
1. Polar Bear – Albany Theatre – Deptford:
This was an easy winner. I had high hopes before seeing Polar Bears one man, one hour show “If i cover my nose…” and it surpassed them with ease. One poem, one story, one hour, one polarbear. As i said, easy winner.
2. Public Enemy -Brixton Academy:
Now i’m sure polarbear will be furious that he kept this off the number 1 spot. Public Enemy? Brixton Academy? Playing “It takes a nation of millions…” from beginning to end? Then afew extra bangers just to top the night off? If you weren’t there and aren’t jealous then feel free to go right ahead and delete me as a friend…
3. B Dolan – Chop Suey, Seattle:
Mr Bernard Dolan smashed it every night on our USA tour. The guy manages to balance dark, powerful lyrics with dumb american humour (yeah thats right i said dumb). All the while making the audience beautifully uncomfortable.
4. Gideon Conn – Concorde 2 – Brighton:
This was a highlight for so many reasons. We had Gideon and his band support us on our tour but at this show it was Gideon on his own and it meant that i got to hear Gideon perform a little song of his called “the girls of FHM” for the 1st and only time. It was a sureal and wonderful time.
5. Jake Morely – Subtone – 93 Feet east:
Right so, Chris who runs Subtone, had told me that this Jake Morley guy was ace live. So i made a point of checking him out at his second show at the subtone nights. And he was fantastic. He is doing something that i have never seen done before and that alone warrants you catching him live (and generally attending the subtone nights at 93 feet east, always dope AND free).
Best Male:
1. lil’ Wayne:
This is probably a surprise choice to alot of people. i do generally go for someone small or lesser known! Bizarrely lil’ Wayne isn’t THAT big in the UK. But he is the best thing to happen in hip hop in the last year in my opinion. Alot of people may not have given him a chance and it isn’t the kind of hip hop i normally go for but the guy is awesome. And his work rate is ridiculous! In 2007 he apparently did around 800 recordings. Some hip hop mag did “the top 100 lil wayne tracks of 2007″. i didn’t really get into him until Carter III in 2008 but i have reveled in hunting down loads of stuff of his since. “all jokes, no stress”
2. Kid Carpet: (Free Track download here.)
Lets cut to the chase..Kid Carpet is a genius. I had always suspected it but it wasn’t until we toured with him this year that i really had it confirmed. His current album “Casio Royale” is rammed with perfect pop. It was ace to see that recognized with a slick little single of the week from the guardian guide for his last single. He is a genius. He is a gentleman. He is a legend.
3. Polar Bear:
Im not gonna bang on too much. Polar bear has been at the top of the spoken word scene for a long time now. His hour long show has seen him transcend the scene. Simple as that.
4. B Dolan:
Strange Famous Records darkest secret. An insanely intelligent writer and co founder of the awesome knowmore.org website. Essential ish.
5. Gideon Conn:
I really dont think i will ever do a top 5 list that Gideon qualifies for but doesn’t make it onto. He is a british institute. Alot of Britain may not know it but its a fact.
Best Female:
1. Kate Tempest/Sound of Rum:
I had Excentral Tempest in several times on my BBC Radio one spoken word show and she has been the highlight of my listening this year. She has no right what so ever to be as good as she is. It astounds me. Her writing is epic, her deliver piercing and with the addition of her band, Sound of Rum, her potential is realised. Inspirational.
2. Paloma Faith:
Again, for several years now i have maintained that Paloma is a genius. I haven’t caught her live this year otherwise she would no doubt be top of my live list. She is unique, she is beautiful, she is about to be a household name.
3. Peggy Sue:
So they have dropped the “and the pirates” from their name! But they have added afew extras to their live set up and are continuing to be one of my favourite things in the world. I maintain that “New Song” is one of my favourite songs of all time. And i dont give such a title lightly. Serious.
4. Laura Marling:
In my opinion the obvious winner of this years mercury. Managed to catch her live in Texas and she blew me away. She strikes such a delicate figure onstage until she opens her mouth and her amazing vocal drifts throughout the audience. I rushed out and bought her album after getting back to the UK and it was a true delight. Track after track of beautifully told tales. And apparently she is like 13 or something. Plenty more to come then hopefully!
5. Florence and the Machine:
I like florence and the machine. I think its pretty much a given that they are going to be on everyones “hot lists” which normally see’s a backlash but i really cant see lady florence giving a god damn! Great live performer and probably the most energetic person i have ever met.
Top tips for 2009:
1. Paloma Faith:
Paloma has been the best live performer in the UK for some time now. Finally it seems people have realised and she has a big old team preparing to unleash her unique character onto the world wide music scene. She sneaked out a splendid christmas song this year with Josh Weller to which was a nice teaser for the year to come. She WILL be huge in 2009. I promise.
2. Peggy Sue:
Another one that has been the best for ages. But, again, i hear they now have a team around them that will focus their lovely hippy little heads and push them onto huge things. And its about bloody time that EVERYONE listened to them.
3. Meet Here Every Tuesday:
This is my special choice. All i can really reveal at this stage is their name. Trust me though. Big things. Mysterious aye?
4. King Blues:
I like these kids. They have made an album that realises that punk music has fuck to do with how fast you play your chords. There’s far more to it. Check out the remix we did of “if punk never happened” if you can find it! Its a 9 minute wonder!
5. Playdoe:
I reckon these boys will be huge this year. Played with them in Metz in 2007 and they blew me away. They finally seem to be putting together a good plan for the UK and europe (they are from South Africa you see) so there will be little that can hold them back.
So there you go!
If you disagree with any of these then let me know what im missing!
Feel free to add your tips below!
If you haven’t heard (of) any of them then look them up!
Im sure they all have myspaces and most will be nestled within my friends bit.
Oh and all the winners can claim their prize of a laminated signed picture of me as soon as they want.
Pip
