Outtakes
Asian rock fans are spoiled for choice during the fast-approaching summer festival season, with a host of world-class acts making their way to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in the next six weeks. Jazz and world music fans can be forgiven for feeling left out and will have to travel further for their festival fix.
The International Istanbul Jazz Festival is in its 13th year and will present a variety of music by big names in jazz from July 5-16. Among those who have graced the stage in the past are Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Jan Garbarek.
This year, the festival has one of its biggest lineups, with vocalist Diana Krall, Tropicalia performer and Brazilian Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil (far right), jazz fusion guitarist John Scofield (right) and 76-year-old pianist Ahmad Jamal.
As reported in Outtakes last week, the MySpace.com social networking site is giving unsigned bands the chance of instant fame, like the Arctic Monkeys. A recent incident in Britain reported by The Independent has shown just how valuable the site can be for up-and-coming bands.
A profile page was set up for a rock trio called Hope Against Hope containing a rough demo track and photos of the moody young rockers. Within four weeks, the band had won not only a devoted fan base, but were also offered a gig at the trendy Death Disco club night in London by Alan McGee, who discovered Oasis and managed the Libertines.
After accessing the profiles of bands such as Babyshambles and the Subways, Hope Against Hope (above) soon had influential types such as Radio One DJ Zane Lowe on their 'friends' list. A week later, their list included successful groups such as Editors and, after three weeks, their fan base stretched as far as LA. They had almost 600 fans by day 28, when they received a message from McGee saying: 'Send me an e-mail and I'll get you a DD [Death Disco] gig.'
But there was only one problem: the band doesn't exist. Rock magazine Q had persuaded a work experience student and two of his friends with no musical experience to pose as a spoof indie band.
Gareth Grundy, deputy editor of Q, told The Independent: 'You don't expect you're going to get an offer of a gig from the man who signed Oasis within a month - for a band that doesn't even exist. I'd call that quite a result.'
