Guest column - In the Liverpool zone (Jade's Music Blog)

Guest column - In the Liverpool zone

In the next of our series of reader columns, we have Jann Dougherty from New York talking about how she fell in love with the Liverpool music scene from across the pond...

On Friday, September 7th, 2007, I came upon two cute guys on Ben Taylor’s MySpace page: Thomas Joseph and Murphy. This American gal decided to click on their picture, and behold!

I looked at them once again, and decided to settle in for a bit to listen to their music. Instant gratification! I was simply blown away by their vocals and the harmonies they created…and TJ could really shred a guitar. Their lyrics were as tightly written as a well scripted film.

A friendship blossomed, not only with TJ and Murph, but with TJ’s entire family: his parents Billy and Carol, his sister Meg, and the family dog, Alfie!

My journey into the Liverpool music scene had just begun – and would change the course of this New York gal’s life, forever.

Music had always been a passion of mine, but had lain dormant for a long time. It was now alive again, and I was overwhelmed with this “re-discovery.”

To my dismay, these two young men weren’t even signed! No label, no one knocking at their door with a pen and paper in hand – at least not yet. I wanted to get the word out here in the states about them. Everyone just had to know about this incredible acoustic duo!

So, the postings of bulletins began, as did my continuous clicks on other local musicians’ pages. Jeff Jepson, Ragz, Alun Parry, Hannah Wilson, and Stella 66, just to name a few.

I tuned into their pages on a regular basis, intently listening to their music; their vocals, lyrics, guitar, and melodies. I wanted everyone to know about them as well, so my list of “Tops” began to grow. And grow.

Other musicians in the UK captivated me as well; Phil King, The Bordellos, Dave Mills, Alice McLaughlin, Caroline England, and Karima Francis.

...And “Merseyside” – what in the heck was “Merseyside?” Or where was it…and what did it mean? I was determined to venture on a quest to find out. To my amazement, after some emailing back and forth, I had an answer much sooner than expected.

I also found out about The Wirral; hence the song “Ferry Across the Mersey.” New York seemed so boring; I was ready to move! Words and sayings like “bloke,” “spot on,” “lovely,” “eh,” “footy,” “chuck,” “ace chuck,” “mate,” “Mum,” “hey up hun,” have all become a part of my own vocabulary!

And the incessant blurting out of these words in my best British accent in the company of my stateside friends have left them all wondering if I’ve gone bonkers!

I have fallen in love with Liverpool, what can I say?

The music, the picturesque cityscapes, the people I’ve met…even if only cyberly, have brought me such happiness and a “renewed sense of spirit” if you will. As my new mate TJ would say, “Good evening – I’m off to the studio, full of scouse.”

This article has been written and is dedicated to all of my new friends – you know who you are…and in loving memory of John Mealey.

For more information please see Jann's MySpace at www.myspace.com/actorwritermom

Posted by Jade Wright on December 3, 2007 9:43 AM | Permalink

Comments (10)

S B Dobson:

How good is it that the sounds of Merseyside inspire a great entertaining peice of writing, hope we here more of the New Yorkers take on the Liverpool Music Scene....

Posted by S B Dobson | December 5, 2007 2:00 AM

Posted on December 5, 2007 02:00

Thomas Joseph:

Hey Jann, Thanks for writing such a brilliant article. Its so well written and true. You should definetly consider making it your job, full time! Im glad you enjoy the music scene here in merseyside there is alot of talent here. take care my friend TJ x

Posted by Thomas Joseph | December 5, 2007 11:05 AM

Posted on December 5, 2007 11:05

Emily Barden:

Great article lady! Thanks so much for the name drop, much appreciated. And you're right about TJ and Murphy, a great duo, and even better people! Carry on flying the Liverpool flag, it's lovely to hear from people who genuinely care about music. Love Emily and Stella 66 x

Posted by Emily Barden | December 5, 2007 12:18 PM

Posted on December 5, 2007 12:18

Dave:

A great piece of writing from some one who obviously knows their stuff. Thomas Joseph and Murphy have a beauty in their songs that the writer has managed to convey to the readers with ease and passion. I have since added them to my Myspace friends....

Posted by Dave | December 5, 2007 2:17 PM

Posted on December 5, 2007 14:17

anon:

Isn't it great that someone living on the other side of the world can share our music then felt so compelled she wrote an article about it? I have traveled extensively and the open Mike nights in Liverpool are the only ones that leave you feeling that you should have paid at least £10 to get through the door. There is a wealth of talent out there, the majority of it unsigned. The major labels may moan and groan about and dipping sales but in the meantime artists are setting up their own stalls independently selling downloads and CDs via at gigs and via their own websites. All be it on a smaller scale but doing it for themselves all the same. So next time you're in a bar or club and you hear an artist or band that you like, and they happen to be selling CDs and you're thinking of getting one, buy it, in fact buy two and give one to a friend. Don't be shy or put it off, these musicians rely on every penny so that they can keep writing and recording. Sometimes they play for nothing and barely break even. Thank you for publishing this lady's article, even in New York they appreciate us.

Posted by anon | December 5, 2007 2:32 PM

Posted on December 5, 2007 14:32

Nadine Maria Schmidt:

Great articel, wonderful personal and passionful, I really enjoyed reading and a musician can be proud to have such a fan like Jann, I am impressed of such people:) I hope in future I can read more of you in big magazines... best wishes of a little musician from Germany Nadine

Posted by Nadine Maria Schmidt | December 5, 2007 10:48 PM

Posted on December 5, 2007 22:48

b shea:

Great to read that merseysides great talent has made such a impression over seas ,

Posted by b shea | December 5, 2007 11:47 PM

Posted on December 5, 2007 23:47

Jeff Jepson:

Hey, great article Jann, good to hear people are noticing what's going on in Liverpool from outside; and thanks for the mention! You should come over and do some live reviews one day. All the best, Jeff x

Posted by Jeff Jepson | December 6, 2007 7:01 PM

Posted on December 6, 2007 19:01

phil king:

Hi Jann, excellent article!! Its lovely to share your passion and enthusiasm. Hope there's more to come. peace phil king xx

Posted by phil king | December 7, 2007 1:47 PM

Posted on December 7, 2007 13:47

ragz:

hi Jann!! this is great :-) keep me updated x x x

Posted by ragz | December 7, 2007 2:34 PM

Posted on December 7, 2007 14:34