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Make some noise people – it's a library!
MAN about town and music librarian Stewart Parsons talks to Lauren Holden about his new initiative to shed the old, geeky image of libraries to promote a cooler, more hip attitude among youngsters
Lauren:So Stewart, what made you initially set up the 'Get it Loud in Libraries' initiative?
Stewart: I really wanted to design a programme of promotions and shows that directly engaged with teenagers and young adults, and opened the door back into libraries, where they found us relevant and modern, and not the hideous places of old. It was the most appealing way of demonstrating the fact that Lancaster has a terrific pop and rock resource.
Lauren: Did you ever expect 'Get It Loud in Libraries' to go so well?
Stewart: Yes and no. I always knew I would throw a lot of passion at it, and that draws its own rewards anyway. But a lot of feedback from kids has been fantastic, quite a few saying it has been their first opportunity to see live music. Things just develop. A lot of the record labels that have responded favourably to the project like the grass roots feel of it all. It taps back into that warm glow of hearing music for the first time that blows you away. That is what it is harking back to.
Lauren: Just out of interest, who are your favourite bands/musicians?
Stewart: Right now it's Arcade Fire, Fountains Of Wayne, Mono Taxi, Interpol, the new Madonna album and Stars. Then there is a band called The Like. Back in the '80s it was The Pretenders, Undertones, Psychedelic Furs etc. I first started loving music when I was about nine or ten, Quo and AC/DC. You couldn't go so far wrong with those two! I love a ton of embarrassing stuff, too. You can't be too cool for school with music! I'm just a sucker for a great hook and melody.
Lauren: Mono Taxi are a pretty big band who are receiving more and more airplay. How did you feel at the gig, knowing you had organised it all?
Stewart: I knew Mono Taxi would have the perfect ambience for a small, intimate gig. They have a very delicate, but edgy sound. Which is quite thrilling. On the night, when I finally relaxed about it all, I thought they were a total joy. I just hope their airplay develops into other mainstream stations. Lovely people, by the way. Fantastic.
Lauren: And what did you think of Mono Taxi's performance?
Stewart: I thought Mono Taxi couldn't have been any more perfect, to be honest. We had just under a hundred in on the night, and have had some great feedback. Antoine, the guitarist has promised he will bring the band back next year when they are famous and ram the place. He meant it!
Lauren: The Lancaster gig circuit is pretty thriving. Who are your particular favourites?
Stewart: I have a confession. I live near Bolton. I don't really get around much in Lancaster. The Yorkshire House gigs are always buzzing and the Feedback nights get some startlingly fresh acts, so I'll say those two.
Lauren: You've had a brilliant response from lots of people in the music business, how do you feel about that?
Stewart: Oh, brilliant. I just want to spread a love of great music, that's all. Deep down, record companies do, too. Epic in New York think what we are doing is great. To get kids back into libraries through music is a worthy cause to them, and to many others, too. But they are ruled by a huge pressure to make money out of their artists. In music libraries, it's all about turning people on to all kinds of new stuff, experimenting with genres and seeing what you really like. It's an education of sorts. If you hate a certain thing the most you have lost is fifty pence. I thought I despised hip hop until I hooked onto the Grand Central Records stuff. Now I love it.
Lauren: Finally, What else is in the pipeline for 'Get It Loud in Libraries'?
Stewart: We have a gig in Lancaster Prison being organised as we speak to show them what libraries are all about, and how we can serve them on release. It's all about tempting future library users. I am trying to get a band with a decent name on board. Things are looking exciting for that one. And there are irons in the fire for more live shows at Lancaster Library, plus maybe one further afield too. V2 are mailing their managers regards the project, so maybe we will
get somebody super-huge one day.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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