Plunkett
As compared to bands such as Kill The King and Power Trip, this duo is definitely in the easy listening/folk realm. Ian Plunkett from the U.K. contributes vocals, guitars, bass and harmonica, while Lara Bartocci from the Mediterranean country (Italy) adds vocals, programming and some careful editing. Their recording efforts go back a few years, to a collection called 14 Days (2005). But their later work Folk Songs from 2007 is still getting some good reviews in 2008.
The two list as influences such varied styles as The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Crosby Stills & Nash, Leonard Cohen, The Who, Velvet Underground, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, John Cale….the list goes on and on. But this listener was certainly pleased to see the Thompson Twins and Sigur Ros on the influence list.
The tune called “The River” could have been, and may still be a dynamite tune. I think Gordon Lightfoot would have been proud of this one. The main focus with this duo is, as stated on their Web site, “With a desire to only write songs and move people, Plunkett choose to remain independent artists and work outside of the mainstream music business. Plunkett make Independent music for independent minds.”
Tags: Plunkett, indie music, music, indie, independent music
Some bands choose to never go to a major label even if they are given the opportunity to do so. Similarly, others may choose to be an independent artist after having already experienced recording on a major label, such as pianist Bradley Joseph. As an independent, business is a prime concern and can take over if not controlled, Joseph said “A lot of musicians don’t learn the business. You just have to be well-rounded in both areas. You have to understand publishing.
I love Plunkett’s stand for the independent artist by being one. Mainstream can sometimes muffle an artist’s true individualism.
I am normally not a huge fan of folk type music, but I did enjoy Plunkett. They have a fresh sound in their lyrics, rhythm and vocals. I will certainly be keeping an eye, actually an ear, out for more music from this band.
For many musicians, the initial focus (and sometimes the ONLY focus) seems to be on the artistic/creative aspects of being a performing artist – forming the band or learning the instruments/practicing/vocal lessons, practicing, doing local gigs and THEN trying to get some of the business aspects down.
Of course, this isn’t limited to musicians. Many wannabe writers put much emphasis on the craft but not on the somewhat less exciting business chores of finding/hiring an agent or the ins and outs of the publishing business.
I’ve been waiting on a musician/band to list the Thompson Twins as an influence. They did so much for music, but many only know them from their alterna-pop hits on the top 40.
I listened to them on Myspace ( http://www.myspace.com/plunkettit) as I have never heard of these guys, and this is right up my alley. I especially enjoy Just Rise, and most definitely The River. You are right too (said to author); Gordon Lightfoot would be very proud.
Oh, Melvin, dude. I don’t want to turn Indie Update into a moral battleground regarding the issue of ethics and plagiarism on the Internet, but you leave me no choice.
As I told you in another post, I don’t have a problem with people who want to research a topic before they write something in public. I would rather see a person’s well-thought-out and literate comment on here (or elsewhere) than see a poorly-considered one.
What I do have a problem with, Melvin, is a person who is too lazy or too unethical to put down his or her own thoughts in a public forum and instead goes to Wikipedia and copy/pastes text without adding any original thoughts or attributing the material to its real source. This is wrong, unethical, and just plain dumb. That’s right, dumb, because you got caught way too easily by someone who wasn’t even looking for plagiarism issues.
It seems that the artist is really in love with music, lot of hard work is being put in which is a very positive sign.To maintain individualism in this kind of music scenario is quite a job and has been done quite well by this artist.I am fond of good folk music and i have enjoyed the songs Plunkett.
I’m sorry, I can see the passion, I can see them in love with the music, I can even feel for their hard work. But, come on, folk? In this day and age, when we have Indie, Post Punk, Electro Punk, Trip Hop and Acid Jazz, people still choose to play Folk? I don’t get it…
Enjoyed Plunkett a lot, both musically and lyrically. You can feel that they make music with passion and honesty. Thanks for letting me know about this great stuff.
I don’t get what Zordani says… I think a real artist doesn’t decide which music he has to play, that’s not something you decide beforehand following the trend of the moment or something. A musician should play what he feels inside, right??