Audio Addict Legends

In a time where the term ‘legend’ is thrown about before artists have even released their debut, we ask important voices from all walks of the music industry to tell us who their legends are and what they mean to them.



Laura Snapes Features Editor at NME  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ST VINCENT

“St Vincent's Annie Clark never settles for anything less than excellence and she wields that excellence as a scythe against any petty gender or genre concern that might purport to stand in her way. Her uncompromising work ethic is a huge influence, and her peerless music the perfect soundtrack to acting upon that inspiration.”


Johnny Hopkins Triad Publicity and former Head of Press at Creation Records

 

 

 

 

 

 

BILLY CHILDISH

“Billy is a charismatic and prolific musician, painter, sculptor, printmaker, writer, poet. Kurt Cobain had about 50 of Billy’s album’s in his collection. Jack White asked him to paint live behind the White Stripes on Top of The Pops, and when the programme said ‘no’, Jack tattooed ‘B Childish’ on his arm.

Over the last 35 or so years without a manager or the clout of a major record company or publishing company, Billy has built up a very dedicated following across the world and has made over 150 albums. He’s also created about 3000 paintings. But it’s not about the quantity of work, it’s about the quality, energy, depth and honesty of his work. He has a clear creative vision and strong principles.

I started going to see him play live when I was about 14 or 15 and still find him inspiring today. I was lucky to do his press for a few years – he generally doesn’t work with PR people. He’s a great bloke.”

 

Debra Geddes MD at Great Northern PR and former Senior Publicity Director at EMI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KRAFTWERK

“Not many artists have changed the course of music in their lifetime. I guess The Beatles did, and I suppose Elvis took music that already existed and made it popular for the masses. But I would argue Kraftwerk changed the course of musical history and put a roadmap down for other artists to follow. They made their own map. Where to start? Disco? Tick. Electro? Tick. Hip hop beats another one. There would be no 'EDM' either without them.

 

Four German cycling geeks, making sounds on homemade (essentially prehistoric) computers and synthesising those sounds into music, continue to change the musical landscape today.

 

Pioneering the use of film and video, they created music with soul at a time when it was impossible to imagine making it without instruments. And yes, the songs are soulful and human - as much as anything with guitars, drums and bass. Listen to ‘Computer Love’ - it will make you cry. It's literally perfect. And I was lucky enough to work with them - my idols - and Ralf Hutter is a lovely man who just happens loves music, machines, and bicycles. Amazing.”