The Good Musician

Photography bydexter_mixwith

Kate Nash is one of those shooting stars who “made it”. One hell of a musician, and I’d like to share some quick thoughts on why I think she is not just a successful musician, but a good one at that.

1. She’s a darling: She’s not the usual commercial beauty, but she’s not hideous either. I’m happy she didn’t let herself be pumped into one marketing machine for the masses, and if she did, it was a very good marketing team.
2. She sings in her lower-middle-class British accent. This is great, because it makes her songs true and believable.
3. She plays her own guitar parts. Might be that I just sympathise with guitarists, but you and me both know that a girl who can actually play an instrument in addition to music probably has a better understanding of music (why else would professional classical singers be required to play some amateur piano).
4. Her narrative style show us that her songs are written by her and meant to the last bit. This is great because she’s managed to break through just by writing music from her heart.
5. Her stage performances keep it to the music. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good show. But a truly brilliant musician shines through when he or she manages to capture the audience just by standing there and singing.
6. She’s unique. Probably the most important trait of hers. She sings like no-one I’ve heard before, she sticks to her style and she’s had luck with some great clip directors. But most of all, she hasn’t tried a bit to “appeal to everyone and please all of us” like many do. Paradoxically, she does just that by being herself. Or at least projecting a believable image of herself.

Just my notes on this wonderful artist I want to be hearing more from.

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