Bristol Urban Culture - Revision history

Tmothy: /* The 'Bristol Sound' */

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:31:21 GMT

The 'Bristol Sound'

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:31, 9 December 2009
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	== The 'Bristol Sound' ==		== The 'Bristol Sound' ==

-	The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song '''''[[Unfinished Sympathy]]''''' which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by ~~Bacharac~~ or a melody by Paul McCartney."	+	The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song '''''[[Unfinished Sympathy]]''''' which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharach or a melody by Paul McCartney."

-	The Bristol sound as a whole was characterised by a slow, spaced-out hip hop sound that a number of artists in the early and mid 1990s made synonymous with the city. These artists can include the aforementioned original Bristolians '''[[Massive Attack]]''', '''Portishead''' and '''[[Tricky]]''' and others such as '''Way Out West''', '''Smith & Mighty''', '''Up, Bustle and Out''', '''Roni Size''' and '''[[The Wild Bunch]]'''.	+	The Bristol sound as a whole was characterised by a slow, spaced-out hip hop sound that a number of artists in the early and mid 1990s made synonymous with the city. These artists can include the aforementioned original Bristolians '''[[Massive Attack]]''', '''Portishead''' and '''[[Tricky]]''' and others such as '''Way Out West''', '''Smith & Mighty''', '''Up, Bustle and Out''', '''Roni Size''' and '''[[The Wild Bunch]]'''.

	== Urban graffiti ==		== Urban graffiti ==

Tmothy at 22:30, 9 December 2009

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:30:21 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:30, 9 December 2009
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	There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).		There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).
		+

	== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==		== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==

Tmothy: /* Urban graffiti */

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:30:02 GMT

Urban graffiti

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:30, 9 December 2009
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-	Many graffiti artists work in Bristol, one of the most notable being Banksy, ~~who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.~~	+	Many graffiti artists work in Bristol, one of the most notable being '''Banksy''', now a world-renowned artist who uses his original street art form to promote alternative aspects of politics from those promoted by the mainstream media. Some believe that his graffiti helps to provide a voice for those living in urban environments that could not otherwise express themselves, and that his work is also something which improves the aesthetic quality of urban surroundings; others disagree, asserting that his work is simple vandalism.
-	~~Banksy is~~ a world renowned artist who uses his original street art form to promote alternative aspects of politics from those promoted by the mainstream media. Some believe that his graffiti helps to provide a voice for those living in urban environments that could not otherwise express themselves, and that his work is also something which improves the aesthetic quality of urban surroundings; others disagree, asserting that his work is simple vandalism.	+

-	Banksy has produced work all over the world, including in Barcelona, New York, Australia, London, and the West Bank.	+	'''Banksy''' has produced work all over the world, including in Barcelona, New York, Australia, London, and the West Bank.

	There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).		There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).
-
-

	== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==		== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==

Tmothy at 22:28, 9 December 2009

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:28:36 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:28, 9 December 2009
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	== Urban graffiti ==		== Urban graffiti ==
	[[File:3D early graffiti.jpg\|300px\|left]]		[[File:3D early graffiti.jpg\|300px\|left]]
		+

	Many graffiti artists work in Bristol, one of the most notable being Banksy, who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.		Many graffiti artists work in Bristol, one of the most notable being Banksy, who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.
Line 23:		Line 24:

	There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).		There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).
		+
		+

	== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==		== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==

Tmothy: /* Urban graffiti */

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:28:12 GMT

Urban graffiti

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:28, 9 December 2009
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	== Urban graffiti ==		== Urban graffiti ==
		+	[[File:3D early graffiti.jpg\|300px\|left]]

	Many graffiti artists work in Bristol, one of the most notable being Banksy, who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.		Many graffiti artists work in Bristol, one of the most notable being Banksy, who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.
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	Banksy has produced work all over the world, including in Barcelona, New York, Australia, London, and the West Bank.		Banksy has produced work all over the world, including in Barcelona, New York, Australia, London, and the West Bank.

-	There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).	+	There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).

	== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==		== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==

Tmothy: /* Creative tensions within bands */

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:26:15 GMT

Creative tensions within bands

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:26, 9 December 2009
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	===Creative tensions within bands===		===Creative tensions within bands===
-	Some of this tension spilled over into some of the artists creative work. '''Massive Attack''' for example were wrought with creative tensions over their 1998 album '''[[Mezzanine]]''', which resulted in one of the three core members leaving. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' has described the dark atmosphere within the group: "There was always this tension between control and collaboration. Always… We were just trying to get the job finished… Everything became thinner and smaller. All that warmth being spun into a tiny little thread, then that thread just being cut."	+	Some of this tension spilled over into some of the artists creative work. '''[[Massive Attack]]''' for example were wrought with creative tensions over their 1998 album '''[[Mezzanine]]''', which resulted in one of the three core members leaving. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' has described the dark atmosphere within the group: "There was always this tension between control and collaboration. Always… We were just trying to get the job finished… Everything became thinner and smaller. All that warmth being spun into a tiny little thread, then that thread just being cut."

	===Artistic use of darkness===		===Artistic use of darkness===

Tmothy at 22:25, 9 December 2009

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:25:43 GMT

Tmothy at 22:18, 9 December 2009

Tmothy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:18:50 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:18, 9 December 2009
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	The city has been particularly associated with trip hop. Salon magazine has said that trip hop was spawned in "the bohemian, multi-ethnic city of Bristol, where restlessly inventive DJs had spent years assembling samples of various sounds that were floating around: groove-heavy acid jazz, dub reggae, neo-psychodelia, techno disco music, and the brainy art rap."		The city has been particularly associated with trip hop. Salon magazine has said that trip hop was spawned in "the bohemian, multi-ethnic city of Bristol, where restlessly inventive DJs had spent years assembling samples of various sounds that were floating around: groove-heavy acid jazz, dub reggae, neo-psychodelia, techno disco music, and the brainy art rap."

-	The Bristol scene is characterised by a strong relationship between music and art, especially graffiti art. A founder member of the band [[Massive Attack]], [[Robert Del Naja]], was originally a graffiti artist, and local graffiti artist Banksy has also gone on to produce album covers and artworks.	+	The Bristol scene is characterised by a strong relationship between music and art, especially graffiti art. A founder member of the band '''[[Massive Attack]]''', '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''', was originally a graffiti artist, and local graffiti artist Banksy has also gone on to produce album covers and artworks.
	[[File:3D ArnolfiniPoster 1985.jpg\|300px\|right\|thumb\|3D artwork on Arnolfini guide, 1985]]		[[File:3D ArnolfiniPoster 1985.jpg\|300px\|right\|thumb\|3D artwork on Arnolfini guide, 1985]]
		+
		+
	== The 'Bristol Sound' ==		== The 'Bristol Sound' ==
-	The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song "[[Unfinished Sympathy]]" which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharac or a melody by Paul McCartney."	+
		+	The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song '''''[[Unfinished Sympathy]]''''' which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharac or a melody by Paul McCartney."

	The Bristol sound as a whole was characterised by a slow, spaced-out hip hop sound that a number of artists in the early and mid 1990s made synonymous with the city. These artists can include the aforementioned original Bristolians [[Massive Attack]], Portishead and [[Tricky]] and others such as Way Out West, Smith & Mighty, Up, Bustle and Out, Roni Size, and The Wild Bunch.		The Bristol sound as a whole was characterised by a slow, spaced-out hip hop sound that a number of artists in the early and mid 1990s made synonymous with the city. These artists can include the aforementioned original Bristolians [[Massive Attack]], Portishead and [[Tricky]] and others such as Way Out West, Smith & Mighty, Up, Bustle and Out, Roni Size, and The Wild Bunch.

	== Urban graffiti ==		== Urban graffiti ==
-	Many graffiti artists work in Bristol~~. One~~ of the most notable is Banksy, who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.	+
		+	Many graffiti artists work in Bristol, one of the most notable being Banksy, who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.
	Banksy is a world renowned artist who uses his original street art form to promote alternative aspects of politics from those promoted by the mainstream media. Some believe that his graffiti helps to provide a voice for those living in urban environments that could not otherwise express themselves, and that his work is also something which improves the aesthetic quality of urban surroundings; others disagree, asserting that his work is simple vandalism.		Banksy is a world renowned artist who uses his original street art form to promote alternative aspects of politics from those promoted by the mainstream media. Some believe that his graffiti helps to provide a voice for those living in urban environments that could not otherwise express themselves, and that his work is also something which improves the aesthetic quality of urban surroundings; others disagree, asserting that his work is simple vandalism.

	Banksy has produced work all over the world, including in Barcelona, New York, Australia, London, and the West Bank.		Banksy has produced work all over the world, including in Barcelona, New York, Australia, London, and the West Bank.

-	There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. [[Robert Del Naja]] was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).	+	There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).

	== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==		== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==

Tmothy at 11:50, 29 October 2009

Tmothy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:50:15 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:50, 29 October 2009
Line 5:		Line 5:

	The Bristol scene is characterised by a strong relationship between music and art, especially graffiti art. A founder member of the band [[Massive Attack]], [[Robert Del Naja]], was originally a graffiti artist, and local graffiti artist Banksy has also gone on to produce album covers and artworks.		The Bristol scene is characterised by a strong relationship between music and art, especially graffiti art. A founder member of the band [[Massive Attack]], [[Robert Del Naja]], was originally a graffiti artist, and local graffiti artist Banksy has also gone on to produce album covers and artworks.
-		+	[[File:3D ArnolfiniPoster 1985.jpg\|300px\|right\|thumb\|3D artwork on Arnolfini guide, 1985]]
	== The 'Bristol Sound' ==		== The 'Bristol Sound' ==
	The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song "[[Unfinished Sympathy]]" which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharac or a melody by Paul McCartney."		The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song "[[Unfinished Sympathy]]" which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharac or a melody by Paul McCartney."

Tmothy: Created page with 'The '''Bristol underground scene''' is a term used to describe the culture surrounding trip hop, drum and bass and graffiti art' that has existed in Bristol from the early 1990s …'

Tmothy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:50:35 GMT

Created page with 'The '''Bristol underground scene''' is a term used to describe the culture surrounding trip hop, drum and bass and graffiti art' that has existed in Bristol from the early 1990s …'

New page

The '''Bristol underground scene''' is a term used to describe the culture surrounding trip hop, drum and bass and graffiti art' that has existed in Bristol from the early 1990s to the present.
The city of Bristol has spawned various musicians and artists, and is typified by its urban culture. While the city is most associated with a group of artists who emerged during the 1990s, especially the 'Bristol Sound', the city maintains an active and diverse underground urban scene.

The city has been particularly associated with trip hop. Salon magazine has said that trip hop was spawned in "the bohemian, multi-ethnic city of Bristol, where restlessly inventive DJs had spent years assembling samples of various sounds that were floating around: groove-heavy acid jazz, dub reggae, neo-psychodelia, techno disco music, and the brainy art rap."

The Bristol scene is characterised by a strong relationship between music and art, especially graffiti art. A founder member of the band [[Massive Attack]], [[Robert Del Naja]], was originally a graffiti artist, and local graffiti artist Banksy has also gone on to produce album covers and artworks.

== The 'Bristol Sound' ==
The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song "[[Unfinished Sympathy]]" which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharac or a melody by Paul McCartney."

The Bristol sound as a whole was characterised by a slow, spaced-out hip hop sound that a number of artists in the early and mid 1990s made synonymous with the city. These artists can include the aforementioned original Bristolians [[Massive Attack]], Portishead and [[Tricky]] and others such as Way Out West, Smith & Mighty, Up, Bustle and Out, Roni Size, and The Wild Bunch.

== Urban graffiti ==
Many graffiti artists work in Bristol. One of the most notable is Banksy, who has also designed album covers for bands such as Blur.
Banksy is a world renowned artist who uses his original street art form to promote alternative aspects of politics from those promoted by the mainstream media. Some believe that his graffiti helps to provide a voice for those living in urban environments that could not otherwise express themselves, and that his work is also something which improves the aesthetic quality of urban surroundings; others disagree, asserting that his work is simple vandalism.

Banksy has produced work all over the world, including in Barcelona, New York, Australia, London, and the West Bank.

There has long been an interplay between the different music and art scenes. [[Robert Del Naja]] was initially a graffiti artist (his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol).

== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==
Bristol has long been a multicultural city. In the 1950s and 1960s there were waves of immigration that made Bristol one of the most racially diverse cities in the UK. This mix included greater access to new strands of music such as reggae. "In 1980, following a police raid on the popular Black and White Café, the St Pauls riots erupted, the first of the decade's civil disturbances."

"Around this time, the Bristol underground scene was steeped in punk and reggae influences, and soon embraced hip-hop - and with it the colourful New York-style lettering at the most creative end of the graffiti art spectrum."

The 1990s was when the scene began to create work of international significance. 1991 saw the release of Massive Attack's [[Blue Lines]], an album which has met international critical acclaim. Blue Lines was named the 21st greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian and Classic FM. Stuart Bailie of BBC Northern Ireland stated that "It was soul music. But it had bold, symphonic arrangements. It featured samples of the Mahavishnu Orchestra … It had funky breaks and an emotional power that was hard to figure. It sounded anxious and lost. But there was a grandeur in the music also. People who came across the record became obsessed, spinning it endlessly."

==Darkness==

The Bristol underground scene was characterised by a sparseness and darkness. Bands like Portishead and Massive Attack used sparse sounds - a good bass line, a vocal and a few other effects, and usually very melancholy lyrics. Banksy also tends to use very few colours, concentrating on blacks and whites and sharp outlines, and often looking at controversial topics such as war.

Separately to this, some writers have talked of an undercurrent of darkness within the City due to its history.

===Racial tensions within the City ===
A 2008 article in the Daily Telegraph| stated that: "Racial matters have always carried a historical resonance in Bristol, a city made affluent on the profits of tobacco and slave-trading. Street names such as Blackboy Hill and Whiteladies Road remain as reminders."

"It's a past that we feel equivocal about", says Steve Wright. "It's a double-edged thing. There are the beautiful Georgian terraces that we love, but they were built on the profits of slavery. It's our shady past, and Bristolians are a bit self-effacing, a bit ashamed of it and are quite keen to layer new associations on top of it. There's always been a defiant, subversive streak in Bristol, and Banksy's work is very much in that tradition."

There has often been a slight undercurrent of tension both in the politics and creatively with artists and musicians in the merger of black and white culture. During the 1950s the Bristol evening post carried what many today would consider openly racist articles, warning of the dangers of black bus drivers.

===Creative tensions within bands===
Some of this tension spilled over into some of the artists creative work. Massive Attack for example were wrought with creative tensions over their 1998 album [[Mezzanine]], which resulted in one of the three core members leaving. Robert Del Naja has described the dark atmosphere within the group: "There was always this tension between control and collaboration. Always… We were just trying to get the job finished… Everything became thinner and smaller. All that warmth being spun into a tiny little thread, then that thread just being cut."

===Artistic use of darkness===

The music and art of the Bristol underground scene has often used dark imagery and lyrics. Arguably Massive Attack's best song, '[[Unfinished Sympathy]]' talks of a lover's unhappiness, and the mood is soulful, downbeat and emotional.

Banksy within his pictures has used images of civilian casualties of war, and his work often talks of frustration and anger.

Arguably Portishead's most successful song Glory Box includes the lyrics "Give me a reason to love you" and speaks of a lover's unhappiness with her current situation. Another successful song "All Mine" speaks of forcing a lover to be unable to escape making them "tethered and tied" until "the day they die". Suggestions of the songs meaning have included the idea that it is either "scary or incredibly romantic. It can be about the initial obsession you get in fresh relationships."

Massive Attack's most recent single 'Live With Me' features a vocal performance by a deep soul singer and again includes soulful lyrics such as "Nothing's right, if you ain't here". The video includes images of a young woman drinking herself into a stupor, on her own, in a dark city. The video finishes with a shot of her tumbling over and over down a staircase until she is out of shot. One review of the video described it as follows: "It's uncomfortable viewing, but I found it really haunting. It features a young (mid twenties) professional-looking woman drinking herself into oblivion on her own in her flat. I can’t really put my finger on what it is about it that I find so arresting, but I thought it was an incredibly powerful four minute film."

== Politics ==
By definition the underground scene tends to be slightly apart from the mainstream and this is reflected in the politics of some of the artists and musicians associated with it. Robert Del Naja, one of the most influential artists and musicians of this scene has openly declared his opposition to the Iraq war for example. Del Naja and Banksy have both submitted art works to the War Paint exhibition which showcases anti war art work.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:25, 9 December 2009
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	The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song '''''[[Unfinished Sympathy]]''''' which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharac or a melody by Paul McCartney."		The Bristol sound was the name given to a number of bands from Bristol, England, in the 1990s. These bands spawned the musical genre trip-hop, though many of the bands shunned this name when other British and international bands imitated the style and preferred not to distinguish it from hip-hop. The style was perhaps typified by the song '''''[[Unfinished Sympathy]]''''' which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME and various other magazines and reviewers. A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharac or a melody by Paul McCartney."

-	The Bristol sound as a whole was characterised by a slow, spaced-out hip hop sound that a number of artists in the early and mid 1990s made synonymous with the city. These artists can include the aforementioned original Bristolians [[Massive Attack]], Portishead and [[Tricky]] and others such as Way Out West, Smith & Mighty, Up, Bustle and Out, Roni Size, and The Wild Bunch.	+	The Bristol sound as a whole was characterised by a slow, spaced-out hip hop sound that a number of artists in the early and mid 1990s made synonymous with the city. These artists can include the aforementioned original Bristolians '''[[Massive Attack]]''', '''Portishead''' and '''[[Tricky]]''' and others such as '''Way Out West''', '''Smith & Mighty''', '''Up, Bustle and Out''', '''Roni Size''' and '''[[The Wild Bunch]]'''.

	== Urban graffiti ==		== Urban graffiti ==
Line 24:		Line 24:

	== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==		== History of the Bristol Underground scene ==
		+
	Bristol has long been a multicultural city. In the 1950s and 1960s there were waves of immigration that made Bristol one of the most racially diverse cities in the UK. This mix included greater access to new strands of music such as reggae. "In 1980, following a police raid on the popular Black and White Café, the St Pauls riots erupted, the first of the decade's civil disturbances."		Bristol has long been a multicultural city. In the 1950s and 1960s there were waves of immigration that made Bristol one of the most racially diverse cities in the UK. This mix included greater access to new strands of music such as reggae. "In 1980, following a police raid on the popular Black and White Café, the St Pauls riots erupted, the first of the decade's civil disturbances."

	"Around this time, the Bristol underground scene was steeped in punk and reggae influences, and soon embraced hip-hop - and with it the colourful New York-style lettering at the most creative end of the graffiti art spectrum."		"Around this time, the Bristol underground scene was steeped in punk and reggae influences, and soon embraced hip-hop - and with it the colourful New York-style lettering at the most creative end of the graffiti art spectrum."

-	The 1990s was when the scene began to create work of international significance. 1991 saw the release of Massive Attack's [[Blue Lines]], an album which has met international critical acclaim. Blue Lines was named the 21st greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian and Classic FM. Stuart Bailie of BBC Northern Ireland stated that "It was soul music. But it had bold, symphonic arrangements. It featured samples of the Mahavishnu Orchestra … It had funky breaks and an emotional power that was hard to figure. It sounded anxious and lost. But there was a grandeur in the music also. People who came across the record became obsessed, spinning it endlessly."	+	The 1990s was when the scene began to create work of international significance. 1991 saw the release of Massive Attack's '''[[Blue Lines]]''', an album which has met international critical acclaim. '''Blue Lines''' was named the 21st greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian and Classic FM. Stuart Bailie of BBC Northern Ireland stated that "It was soul music. But it had bold, symphonic arrangements. It featured samples of the Mahavishnu Orchestra … It had funky breaks and an emotional power that was hard to figure. It sounded anxious and lost. But there was a grandeur in the music also. People who came across the record became obsessed, spinning it endlessly."

	==Darkness==		==Darkness==

-	The Bristol underground scene was characterised by a sparseness and darkness. Bands like Portishead and Massive Attack used sparse sounds - a good bass line, a vocal and a few other effects, and usually very melancholy lyrics. Banksy also tends to use very few colours, concentrating on blacks and whites and sharp outlines, and often looking at controversial topics such as war.	+	The Bristol underground scene was characterised by a sparseness and darkness. Bands like '''Portishead''' and '''Massive Attack''' used sparse sounds - a good bass line, a vocal and a few other effects, and usually very melancholy lyrics. Banksy also tends to use very few colours, concentrating on blacks and whites and sharp outlines, and often looking at controversial topics such as war.

	Separately to this, some writers have talked of an undercurrent of darkness within the City due to its history.		Separately to this, some writers have talked of an undercurrent of darkness within the City due to its history.

	===Racial tensions within the City ===		===Racial tensions within the City ===
		+
	A 2008 article in the Daily Telegraph\| stated that: "Racial matters have always carried a historical resonance in Bristol, a city made affluent on the profits of tobacco and slave-trading. Street names such as Blackboy Hill and Whiteladies Road remain as reminders."		A 2008 article in the Daily Telegraph\| stated that: "Racial matters have always carried a historical resonance in Bristol, a city made affluent on the profits of tobacco and slave-trading. Street names such as Blackboy Hill and Whiteladies Road remain as reminders."

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	===Creative tensions within bands===		===Creative tensions within bands===
-	Some of this tension spilled over into some of the artists creative work. Massive Attack for example were wrought with creative tensions over their 1998 album [[Mezzanine]], which resulted in one of the three core members leaving. Robert Del Naja has described the dark atmosphere within the group: "There was always this tension between control and collaboration. Always… We were just trying to get the job finished… Everything became thinner and smaller. All that warmth being spun into a tiny little thread, then that thread just being cut."	+	Some of this tension spilled over into some of the artists creative work. '''Massive Attack''' for example were wrought with creative tensions over their 1998 album '''[[Mezzanine]]''', which resulted in one of the three core members leaving. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''' has described the dark atmosphere within the group: "There was always this tension between control and collaboration. Always… We were just trying to get the job finished… Everything became thinner and smaller. All that warmth being spun into a tiny little thread, then that thread just being cut."

	===Artistic use of darkness===		===Artistic use of darkness===

-	The music and art of the Bristol underground scene has often used dark imagery and lyrics. Arguably Massive Attack's best song, '[[Unfinished Sympathy]]' talks of a lover's unhappiness, and the mood is soulful, downbeat and emotional.	+	The music and art of the Bristol underground scene has often used dark imagery and lyrics. Arguably '''Massive Attack''''s best song, '''''[[Unfinished Sympathy]]''''' talks of a lover's unhappiness, and the mood is soulful, downbeat and emotional.

	Banksy within his pictures has used images of civilian casualties of war, and his work often talks of frustration and anger.		Banksy within his pictures has used images of civilian casualties of war, and his work often talks of frustration and anger.

-	Arguably Portishead's most successful song Glory Box includes the lyrics "Give me a reason to love you" and speaks of a lover's unhappiness with her current situation. Another successful song "All Mine" speaks of forcing a lover to be unable to escape making them "tethered and tied" until "the day they die". Suggestions of the songs meaning have included the idea that it is either "scary or incredibly romantic. It can be about the initial obsession you get in fresh relationships."	+	Arguably '''Portishead''''s most successful song '''''Glory Box''''' includes the lyrics "Give me a reason to love you" and speaks of a lover's unhappiness with her current situation. Another successful song "All Mine" speaks of forcing a lover to be unable to escape making them "tethered and tied" until "the day they die". Suggestions of the songs meaning have included the idea that it is either "scary or incredibly romantic. It can be about the initial obsession you get in fresh relationships."

-	Massive Attack's most recent single 'Live With Me' features a vocal performance by a deep soul singer and again includes soulful lyrics such as "Nothing's right, if you ain't here". The video includes images of a young woman drinking herself into a stupor, on her own, in a dark city. The video finishes with a shot of her tumbling over and over down a staircase until she is out of shot. One review of the video described it as follows: "It's uncomfortable viewing, but I found it really haunting. It features a young (mid twenties) professional-looking woman drinking herself into oblivion on her own in her flat. I can’t really put my finger on what it is about it that I find so arresting, but I thought it was an incredibly powerful four minute film."	+	'''Massive Attack''''s most recent single '''''[[Live With Me]]''''' features a vocal performance by a deep soul singer and again includes soulful lyrics such as "Nothing's right, if you ain't here". The video includes images of a young woman drinking herself into a stupor, on her own, in a dark city. The video finishes with a shot of her tumbling over and over down a staircase until she is out of shot. One review of the video described it as follows: "It's uncomfortable viewing, but I found it really haunting. It features a young (mid twenties) professional-looking woman drinking herself into oblivion on her own in her flat. I can’t really put my finger on what it is about it that I find so arresting, but I thought it was an incredibly powerful four minute film."

	== Politics ==		== Politics ==
-	By definition the underground scene tends to be slightly apart from the mainstream and this is reflected in the politics of some of the artists and musicians associated with it. Robert Del Naja, one of the most influential artists and musicians of this scene has openly declared his opposition to the Iraq war for example. Del Naja and Banksy have both submitted art works to the War Paint exhibition which showcases anti war art work.	+
		+	By definition the underground scene tends to be slightly apart from the mainstream and this is reflected in the politics of some of the artists and musicians associated with it. '''[[Robert Del Naja (3D)\|Robert Del Naja]]''', one of the most influential artists and musicians of this scene has openly declared his opposition to the [[Wrong War 2002\|Iraq war]], for example. Del Naja and Banksy have both submitted art works to the '''[[War Paint]]''' exhibition which showcases anti war art work.