One of the nicest things about distributing this first batch of the CD we’ve just released has been meeting Black Parrot Seaside fans in person. ( We always tend to use The word “fans” in a tongue in cheek context. They could much more accurately be termed “followers,” or “supporters” or in a few rather more distressing cases, just “stalkers.”) Tongue in cheek is just how we are. It’s what unites four diverse souls from different musical backgrounds, but with a common philosophy and a very slightly skewed outlook on life. And that’s the way a lot of the people who like our music or Live performances are.
That’s also the way a lot (but not all) of the Parrot material is written, arranged and performed. Essentially we mean no harm, but we want to make people listen, and perhaps reflect. We also want our audiences and listeners to have a good time. Sometimes our targets are the pompous or the opinionated, but sometimes our target is just to get feet tapping. Or to make people smile. Folk and Accoustic music has always been able to deliver this. The worst kind of Folk Music just preaches, for dour verse after dour verse. The best makes you react physically to the rhythmn or melody or both, or makes you incline your head to catch a meaningful lyric, and may well leave you still thinking about it long after the song has finished. I’m not saying we do any of this-but we try to.
Anyway, whilst handing on the CD itself, or one of the 6-track Samplers, I have in many cases got into a dialogue with Parrot sympathisers, either in person, or by letter or email or on the telephone. It’s been uplifting to connect with people we met on the circuit first time round, and who remember us with affection and at times, slight bemusement. This includes Promoters, Organisers, Artistes, fellow musicians, journalists, broadcasters and the general public. No need to name names here. You know who you are. Obviously however, we made an impression first time round, and at the time, we weren’t sure whether that was happening or not.
The most exhilarating encounters come when someone comes up afterwards and tells you just how much they liked a particular song and why. ( In the past we knew when people didn’t like a song because they threw things at us, or booed.) Surely you only get this kind of intimate encounter in the world of acoustic music? In small venues, where audience and performers mingle before and afterwards?
WhiIst waiting for a pint to be topped up, I once told a member of the Original Chicken Shack just how much I dug the band. I wasn’t being intrusive or sychophantic-I just thought he might like to know. He didn’t tell me to p**s off, but instead we had quite a coherent conversation about our favourite Blues numbers. ( And look what happened to them afterwards.)
Conversely however, it is possible to set up a false, cosmetic coterie of devotees who will do this sort of thing loudly and to order. I’ll give you an example. Within recent memory, I sat in a Folk Club, listening to a decent band I had some time for. Their material was good. Not exceptional-but well played and very listenable. I gave them what I felt was generous applause after each of their numbers. They were accomplished: pleasant: only occasionally bland.
Yet after each number and sometimes during them, a small strategically seated faction uttered loud and almost orgasmic exclamations such as, “ YES! Oh YES!” or: “ Oh I LOVE this song.” Quite apart from being a distraction, this level of fawning adoration was so obviously contrived it was embarrassing. Almost certainly related, these people were trying to formulate our reactions as an audience for us, and to pre-empt our reactions. I didn’t like it.
Not that it’s ever been a problem for us, but if you really think “The Bold Pirate” is crushingly satirical, or “ The Odeon” made you cry because it reminded you of going to The Pictures as a kid, do me a favour. Save it for the Interval. Or come up with a pint of Tribute as we’re packing away the mikestands and tell us quietly, if you liked a song or the performance. It’s far more intellectually stimulating than shouting stuff out virtually to order. And it's genuine.
