The Internet

[Dave]

I'm with you Jayne.

These days people log onto the internet, write a few posts and genuinely think they are part of the northern soul scene.

Hello? To be 'part of the northern soul scene' you need to get out there and actually go to venues. Not just post a few words on the internet.

You can love soul music by not going to venues, but you can't be part of the scene by sitting in your front room.

Bingo!.

I guessed that if anyone agreed, it would be either a DJ or promotor...

The net makes it too readily accessible, Too easy and much cheaper for people to sit themselves down in front of their PC on a friday or saturday night and have an evening of northern soul. The internet and instant access to all things northern soul are killing the scene.

Jayne.x

I don't really get this. Are you two saying that some people visit soul websites instead of going out to events? If so, I don't believe it: Listening to music via mp3/cd in a solitary manner is a completely different experience to listening to it played loud at an event, sharing it with like-minded folk! They are not interchangeable.

For me this and other sites have led me to events that I may not otherwise have visited and I can't remember the last time I brought a flyer home with me, and I'm sure I'm not alone there, so the net benefits some venues. Indeed I know people who have returned to the scene who only discovered the scene still existed when they got the internet!

IMO the main factor reducing attendances is the current overkill, with too many similar nights spreading crowds ever thinner and pulling friends to different venues. Once you go to a place thats half full and lacking both atmosphere and the friends you expected to see there, you generally don't go again, thus compounding the problem.

[Professorturnups]

The way I personally see it, the internet is something I use during the week and occassionally at weekends. Come Friday, Saturday night it's - bag out of cupboard, fill with the necessities, spare shirts, strides, shoes etc and away we go..........

Until my legs/kidney/head give in I'll continue to "tread the boards" at venues up and down the country.

See you out on the dance floor

Mark C

Edited October 21, 2008 by professorturnups

[Reg]

The Internet is a good thing in many ways but I do think it has taken some of the fun away from discovering the music. I used to like a record for months before going off it and now I may only hear it a few times on MP3 before realising it is white pop cr*p

Seriously though, it hasn't affected how often I go out, that was caused by having too many children. I think if I didn't have children I would probably go out more as Internet Forums such as this and Facebook etc give you a more informed choice.

Edited October 21, 2008 by Reg

[Guest]

I know it's going OT but I really can't understand how anyone can say there is a lack of quality nights....

Surely everything is catered for!.. what could possibly be missing???..

Jayne.x

Not sure why you find it so hard to understand really. I see events touted as being progressive - then you look at the playlists and they really aren't that progressive at all.

Ok here's a few events i would go to

100 club

Lifeline - which i will be making the effort to get to in the new year

and errr that's it for me i'm afraid

Derek

[Guest Roddy]

Hi derek,

you would love carl and maria's room at middleton !

[Professorturnups]

yes, even a short time ago, the only way to hear the current big sounds was to get out there. I miss that!.

Trying to remember what we did before t'net... collect flyers at venues, listen to Richard's club info slot when his show was on sunday's and write down a list of venues that were on and didn't Ady used to do a mailshot for the 100club members?. I had a membership a good few years ago and every now and then flyers used to appear. Oh and of course gig listings in Manifesto and Togethernes..

Hasn't it changed a lot in such a short space of time!.

Yes, and before that it was Black Echoes and public phone boxes !!

Mark C

[Stevie]

Hmmm - CDs made the music more accessible, the internet even more so. I wouldn't be without the internet but do have mixed feelings regarding its effect on 'the scene'.

Maybe I've been around too long, but back in the day the only way to hear a particular tune was to travel, often to a club where the dj who was playing it was resident. News of this tune would have spread via word of mouth and on arriving at said club you'd wait in anticipation, excitement growing until finally....yes.....what a stormer! Well worth the journey....something to talk about with your mates for the next week or so.

Sounds a bit sad now? Well maybe, but compare it to today. Hear a tune, buy it on cd/download it off the internet...brilliant.....hammer it to death at home....next time you hear it out its yesterdays news even though it may be rare as hens teeth and cost the guy playing it a small fortune to buy.

I think the instant access that the internet provides deprives us of some of the excitement and unpredictability of yesteryear but clearly there's no going back.....guess I'm just lucky to have experienced things both before and after.

[Chalky]

Hey Chalks...

No offence,(and slightly off on a tangent I know), but I think the highlighted comment you made is pretty disrespectful to the younger (possibly student) crowd who attend the likes of Beat Boutique.

Where I live, there are a few similar nights running (Yum Yum and Brighton Beach for example), with a similarly eclectic mix of musical genres and I've attended a few (and shall continue to do so as well as pure Northern dos) with my friends of all ages.

I'd say overall the younger people who attend and who I've spoken to/seen dancing actually do 'give a toss' what they're hearing, to the point where they actively enquire about the music being played and request that tunes are played (be them Northern Soul/ska whatever) ask Rob Glover (promotor/d.j at both the do's I mentioned) or Kylee Lewis (Rugbysoulgirl),she's d.j'd at Yum Yum.A good thing surely?

Gail

Hi Gail, none taken but just how many of these are really interested in the northern aspect of these nights and why aren't they progressing to a full on northern night. I bet it's as low as a few in a 100 that are truly interested and take the interest further. I still say that the majority couldn't care whether they are hearing northern, rocksteady or ska.

I do agree it is a good thing and if these kinda venues help as a stepping stone to a proper night for them, nighters and travelling the country then all well and good, the scene definitely needs them.

[Dave]

I know it's going OT but I really can't understand how anyone can say there is a lack of quality nights....

Surely everything is catered for!.. what could possibly be missing???..

Jayne.x

Depends on your definition of "quality".

There are dozens of decent events and there are a few outstanding events.

That comes down to the DJs in the main. Everbody is a DJ these days, (how many are there on here? must number in the hundreds at least), but there are only 10 or a dozen whose name on a flyer would make me go out of my way to attend an event: people like Butch, Kitch, Andy Dyson, Mick H, Karl Heard for example.

[Guest Neil-ok]

I don't really get this. Are you two saying that some people visit soul websites instead of going out to events? If so, I don't believe it: Listening to music via mp3/cd in a solitary manner is a completely different experience to listening to it played loud at an event, sharing it with like-minded folk! They are not interchangeable.

For me this and other sites have led me to events that I may not otherwise have visited and I can't remember the last time I brought a flyer home with me, and I'm sure I'm not alone there, so the net benefits some venues. Indeed I know people who have returned to the scene who only discovered the scene still existed when they got the internet!

IMO the main factor reducing attendances is the current overkill, with too many similar nights spreading crowds ever thinner and pulling friends to different venues. Once you go to a place thats half full and lacking both atmosphere and the friends you expected to see there, you generally don't go again, thus compounding the problem.

I am with Dave on this one.

I don't think what is on offer on the net actually stops people going to soul venues.

The net is very informative in more ways than one on all things northern soul.

Take the post from lyn50 in the new members section,

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/Member-...lia-t84427.html

like she says the net has helped in listening and finding more out about northern soul.

[Paulb]

Hey Chalks...

No offence,(and slightly off on a tangent I know), but I think the highlighted comment you made is pretty disrespectful to the younger (possibly student) crowd who attend the likes of Beat Boutique.

Where I live, there are a few similar nights running (Yum Yum and Brighton Beach for example), with a similarly eclectic mix of musical genres and I've attended a few (and shall continue to do so as well as pure Northern dos) with my friends of all ages.

I'd say overall the younger people who attend and who I've spoken to/seen dancing actually do 'give a toss' what they're hearing, to the point where they actively enquire about the music being played and request that tunes are played (be them Northern Soul/ska whatever) ask Rob Glover (promotor/d.j at both the do's I mentioned) or Kylee Lewis (Rugbysoulgirl),she's d.j'd at Yum Yum.A good thing surely?

Gail

Have to agree Gail. Beat Boutique gets a really good crowd and believe it or not its not all students. I'd say around 25% are students. The music still sounds as good now as it did when you lot were young. So why is it so difficult to believe that nights like ours can pull in a young crowd that genuinely like the music.

To say that people come in and don't give a stuff whats played couldn't be further from the truth and I do find it a bit disrespectful.

[Dave]

Hi Gail, none taken but just how many of these are really interested in the northern aspect of these nights and why aren't they progressing to a full on northern night. I bet it's as low as a few in a 100 that are truly interested and take the interest further. I still say that the majority couldn't care whether they are hearing northern, rocksteady or ska.

I do agree it is a good thing and if these kinda venues help as a stepping stone to a proper night for them, nighters and travelling the country then all well and good, the scene definitely needs them.

Chalky, I think some of the youngsters have a bit more interest in/knowledge of the music than you give em credit for and the reason some don't go to full on northern nights may well be that they don't want to socialise with folks the same age as their parents, especially when some of those folks go out in fancy dress.

As someone who is involved with a couple of events that mix some ska and R&B with the soul, can I just point out that it's not just youngsters who enjoy that type of event occassionally?

[Chalky]

Chalky, I think some of the youngsters have a bit more interest in/knowledge of the music than you give em credit for and the reason some don't go to full on northern nights may well be that they don't want to socialise with folks the same age as their parents, especially when some of those folks go out in fancy dress.

As someone who is involved with a couple of events that mix some ska and R&B with the soul, can I just point out that it's not just youngsters who enjoy that type of event occassionally?

I said pretty much the same about fancy dress and the old enough to be there dad type earlier in the topic. I don't doubt there are older 'uns at the type of event in question and don't recall sayiong there wasn't either???? Any we digress...as usual

[Paulb]

Hi Gail, none taken but just how many of these are really interested in the northern aspect of these nights and why aren't they progressing to a full on northern night. I bet it's as low as a few in a 100 that are truly interested and take the interest further. I still say that the majority couldn't care whether they are hearing northern, rocksteady or ska.

I do agree it is a good thing and if these kinda venues help as a stepping stone to a proper night for them, nighters and travelling the country then all well and good, the scene definitely needs them.

Chalky,

I think that the die hard northern attitude doesn't really apply amoungst the younger soul fans. Northern will always be my music but I love funk, ska, psych, garage, beat, etc and in my opinion this is the only way to keep nights like ours fresh and exciting.

The northern scene, as you lot know it, will be dead in 10 years. We WILL carry it on but in our own way and it maybe won't comform to the way the scene is at the moment.

Do you think that northern can be mixed in with other soul genres or do you think that it should remain seperate?

[Chalky]

maybe they do care but if one month no northern was played, just rocksteady, ska, mod would the majority of the younger crowd complain? I doubt it.

Edited October 21, 2008 by chalky

[Dave]

I said pretty much the same about fancy dress and the old enough to be there dad type earlier in the topic. I don't doubt there are older 'uns at the type of event in question and don't recall sayiong there wasn't either???? Any we digress...as usual

Sorry, I didn't see you'd done the age/baggies thing.

So you'd actually already answered your own question then?

[Paulb]

maybe they do care but if one month no northern was played, just rocksteady, ska, mod would the majority of the younger crowd complain? I doubt it.

They would mate and if you came down and saw it for yourself rather than make presumptions you'd probably give us a bit more credit.

Not picking an argument here just wish people would believe what we're saying.

[Chalky]

Do you think that northern can be mixed in with other soul genres or do you think that it should remain seperate?

again we digress from the topic in question but to answer your question northern already is a pretty diverse mix of genres and IMHO it doesn't need genres like mod, rocksteady, ska etc that you mention, it's not the scene or music I got into and it's not what I want to hear, even though I might like to sit and listen at home to some of it. If the scene as it is isn't good enough for those not into it then f*ck 'em as far as I'm concerned, keep away....and I bet many others feel the same. If someone wishes to get into northern they will do so because of what it is now not how someone outsiders or newcomers want it to be. I do agree the scene needs changes, or some aspects of it but there is plenty within it's already diverse scope, it's just many are afraid of change and getting out of their comfortable zones that they live in. Introduce ska rocksteady etc and it's no longer a northern scene is it?

Edited October 21, 2008 by chalky

[Bossfourpart1]

Yes, and before that it was Black Echoes and public phone boxes !!

Mark C

Hi PT / MC ,

Those were the days,

i feel the internet is a great way of sharing information quickly but i feel it has good and bad points.

Each individual who used to make the effort to go to the gigs will have their own reasons as why it is better or worse now. Personally i liked the effort we used to make to source information on tracks , play lists, cover ups etc and it was worth traveling to hear those rare tracks played from original vinyl (it made them that more desirable). Tape swapping was the only substitute to owning a track (bootlegs were limited).

The under ground eliment to the scene gave it a very desirable quality to me and made it more personal.

All good things come to an end but in this case it has opened it up internationally which has brought in alot more people and connected with old soulies who live further afield now.

Alot of the original vinyl has now been saved due to the internet and put into the hands of the fans ,these pieces may have sat quiet for many more years if not lost all together ,so thats good.

Personally i mss the 80'ts "wonder years" but then we couldn't maintain that endless support as inevitably we have other committments too.

See you at the Legion Friday night !

cheers Frank

[Dave Moore]

Chalky,

I think that the die hard northern attitude doesn't really apply amoungst the younger soul fans. Northern will always be my music but I love funk, ska, psych, garage, beat, etc and in my opinion this is the only way to keep nights like ours fresh and exciting.

The northern scene, as you lot know it, will be dead in 10 years. We WILL carry it on but in our own way and it maybe won't comform to the way the scene is at the moment.

Do you think that northern can be mixed in with other soul genres or do you think that it should remain seperate?

Evening Paul,

That's the whole point. It's your night, your scene, it's how you enjoy your music and fair play to you. But your current dismissive attitude of anything outside your thinking as 'old hat' displays the very same attitude that you claim is a turn off for younger soul fans as far as the Northern Soul scene is concerned. For many of us, the thought of sitting on our arses bored out of our heads listening to Brian Poole and The Tremeloes et al whilst waiting for a decent soul 45 to hit the Technics is a complete non starter. (I've done it so I know what I'm talking about! ). I wouldn't dream of criticising anyone that feels that that's a worthwhile night out. Strokes for folks all the way etc. But I'm a rare soul fan...bust! If you can't cater to my tastes, that's OK. It's not a problem, so why do you feel it's OK to criticise people like me for not embracing the way you think the soul scene should develop?

Oh, and when we meet up again you can explain to me what you meant by 'You lot'. Does that include anyone that doesn't go to Beat Boutique?

If you think that the die hard northern attitude doesn't really apply amongst the younger soul fans, then you need to get up to speed on both the US scene and the European scene. They embrace all the good things about rare soul and it's traditions, whilst avoiding any of the crappy politics that regularly gets in the way of folks OF ALL AGES actually having a good time together. It sounds like it's maybe you 'young uns' who might need to broaden your horizons and look a little further afield than your own gig. I've two spare bedrooms if you're up for it. Lucerne in January, Valencia in March, Hamburg in April, Bamberg in May, Hitsville in September, take your pick. Warm beds but cold beer await.

[Jez Jones]

In the 80's we either travelled about in hired mini-buses/ coaches or on the trains (anyone remember the persil coupons?)

#

Derek

In the 70's we jumped trains,pinched cars(naughty )thumbed a lift and hung around M-way service stations hoping to cadge a lift from someone going to a soul nighter . They were easy to spot in them days

Internet= easy to plan to go to a alnighter. No internet= just get up and go and all the risks involved ie get there whenever(if ever). get back whenever

So its probably give us a comfort zone---whereas before there was no comfort zone and possibly that was part of the excitement.

Nowadays you can plan 2 or 3 venues if one is no good without much planning. Nigh on impossible in yesteryear

I think the internet has removed the risk on the scene. Meaning you can hear sounds on here, read reviews on events, see who is going to events--in fact you can forecast what an event is going to be like just by researching on here!!!

Without the internet there were more risks and therefore possibly more ,shall we say, we are in this thing together attitude--- lets do it and enjoy it!

I'm not saying internets bad just different for the soul scene---some folks like the'comfort zone' some like more of a risk---yer pays yer money

Internet is the worlds biggest library

[Paulb]

again we digress from the topic in question but to answer your question northern already is a pretty diverse mix of genres and IMHO it doesn't need genres like mod, rocksteady, ska etc that you mention, it's not the scene or music I got into and it's not what I want to hear, even though I might like to sit and listen at home to some of it. If the scene as it is isn't good enough for those not into it then f*ck 'em as far as I'm concerned, keep away....and I bet many others feel the same. If someone wishes to get into northern they will do so because of what it is now not how someone outsiders or newcomers want it to be. I do agree the scene needs changes but there is plenty within it's already diverse scope, it's just many are afraid of change and getting out of their comfortable zones that they live in. Introduce ska rocksteady etc and it's no loonger a northern scene is it?

Fair points mate I suppose. I guess we're just looking at it from different angles.

[Guest john s]

For many of us, the thought of sitting on our arses bored out of our heads listening to Brian Poole and The Tremeloes et al whilst waiting for a decent soul 45 to hit the Technics is a complete non starter.

I must admit I've never been to Paul's night, but I very much doubt BP and the Ts are ever played there!

[Simsy]

RW got him booked for the Shoppers Paradise yet?

Tony

Would be awesome!

[Guest]

Evening Paul,

That's the whole point. It's your night, your scene, it's how you enjoy your music and fair play to you. But your current dismissive attitude of anything outside your thinking as 'old hat' displays the very same attitude that you claim is a turn off for younger soul fans as far as the Northern Soul scene is concerned. For many of us, the thought of sitting on our arses bored out of our heads listening to Brian Poole and The Tremeloes et al whilst waiting for a decent soul 45 to hit the Technics is a complete non starter. (I've done it so I know what I'm talking about! ). I wouldn't dream of criticising anyone that feels that that's a worthwhile night out. Strokes for folks all the way etc. But I'm a rare soul fan...bust! If you can't cater to my tastes, that's OK. It's not a problem, so why do you feel it's OK to criticise people like me for not embracing the way you think the soul scene should develop?

Oh, and when we meet up again you can explain to me what you meant by 'You lot'. Does that include anyone that doesn't go to Beat Boutique?

If you think that the die hard northern attitude doesn't really apply amongst the younger soul fans, then you need to get up to speed on both the US scene and the European scene. They embrace all the good things about rare soul and it's traditions, whilst avoiding any of the crappy politics that regularly gets in the way of folks OF ALL AGES actually having a good time together. It sounds like it's maybe you 'young uns' who might need to broaden your horizons and look a little further afield than your own gig. I've two spare bedrooms if you're up for it. Lucerne in January, Valencia in March, Hamburg in April, Bamberg in May, Hitsville in September, take your pick. Warm beds but cold beer await.

Paul....if you've read this I'd definitely take Dave up on the offer re Bamberg (fantastic last year and I'm going again next year) and Valencia is apparently brill too (that is if you haven't been already!)

I doubt Paul would be too offended by your offer either Dave!

[Guest]

I wouldn't be so sure Chalky...I think you are right in one aspect...that the scene as it is will not survive...but I think you will find that there is already a successful hybrid scene developing as we speak...I know...it's not pure Northern...but it is an initial gateway into the music...you look at nights for example here in manc...last Beat Boutique had 300+ through the door...big mix of ages...playing Northern/mod/ska/rocksteady...the kids love it!!

Ska/Rocksteady wont be going there then

[Dave Moore]

I must admit I've never been to Paul's night, but I very much doubt BP and the Ts are ever played there!

Maybe not that particular artist, but you get the point surely? BTW, I have attended gigs where B and T HAVE been played under the "Beat" banner. And it was at a gig advertised as 60s soul, beat, psyche, reggae and freakbeat! Way off topic now or I'd expand on this. Might start a seperate thread in fact.

[Dave Moore]

Introduce ska rocksteady etc and it's no longer a northern scene is it?

Nutshell.

[Reg]

I must admit I've never been to Paul's night, but I very much doubt BP and the Ts are ever played there!

Mmm I have and definitely haven't heard any Tremeloes but I'm sure I caught Paul spinning a mint Hermans Hermits demo

Only kidding ....

[Guest]

best record dealer ever !

What is the truth in John retiring in the new year , and moving back to Scotland ? .......

Ir is it a secret ? .........

Malc Burton

[Paulb]

If you think that the die hard northern attitude doesn't really apply amongst the younger soul fans, then you need to get up to speed on both the US scene and the European scene. They embrace all the good things about rare soul and it's traditions, whilst avoiding any of the crappy politics that regularly gets in the way of folks OF ALL AGES actually having a good time together.

Alright Dave,

Yeah I know what you're saying and maybe I came across a bit blinkered (and I possibly am). I guess its just because I'm excited about what we're doing and want other people to give us a chance. I would never knock the northern scene but its a lot easier for a young person to pick faults in it I suppose.

Northern soul is my passion and it always will be. I guess its hard trying to get "you lot" into my way of thinking when you have a perfectly good existing scene that caters for your needs. I'm finding that it doesn't cater for my needs as much these days. Not many young people coming onto the scene and that.

Regarding your comments above, I totally agree with you Dave. I think you may have taken what I've been saying the wrong way. I'm not saying that what we do is the only way to do things, but for us it feels right. It may not be to everyones taste but nights playing nothing but northern may not be to everyones taste either.

I'd LOVE to get to a night in Europe. Keep me informed mate and I'll take you up on your offer.

[Dave Moore]

Alright Dave,

Yeah I know what you're saying and maybe I came across a bit blinkered (and I possibly am). I guess its just because I'm excited about what we're doing and want other people to give us a chance. I would never knock the northern scene but its a lot easier for a young person to pick faults in it I suppose.

Northern soul is my passion and it always will be. I guess its hard trying to get "you lot" into my way of thinking when you have a perfectly good existing scene that caters for your needs. I'm finding that it doesn't cater for my needs as much these days. Not many young people coming onto the scene and that.

Regarding your comments above, I totally agree with you Dave. I think you may have taken what I've been saying the wrong way. I'm not saying that what we do is the only way to do things, but for us it feels right. It may not be to everyones taste but nights playing nothing but northern may not be to everyones taste either.

I'd LOVE to get to a night in Europe. Keep me informed mate and I'll take you up on your offer.

You've every right to be excited Matey. I still get excited as I flip open someone's sales box, or walk into a new venue for the first time, or first meet that certain 75 year old black guy/girl that I've hero worshipped from afar for 30 years. What it's all about. You know I wish you well with your gig, it's your gig, it's your direction and it's down to you to achieve what you want to achieve.

If you and your lady, or a couple of Mates fancy a European gig, count me in. The Valencia Weekender would be a good one to aim for next March. Dani and Albert put on a stylish gig (with help from people who make you lot look old!), our place is just down the road and the Tehnics are permanently set up so......bring a few 45s too, I'll critique yer playlist!

[Phil_H]

hmm yeh, good point.. I'd probably agree with that. I can think of a number of folks who dont go out regularly anymore and were waving the white flag

come 2 / 3am at a couple of weekenders this year..

Jayne.x

Hmm, you can't be talking about me, I can't last that long

Phil

[Theresa]

I know you've asked Chalky but whilst i'm here..

Age and family commitments? - nope most soulie's (sorry!) are at the age where kids are now grown up, mortgages paid off and their time is their own again.

(Although, I think more and more are starting with the grandkids committment)..

You dont have to travel half way round the country, there are events on everywhere. I can't see a reason why you can't support a local venue, even if you can't afford the petrol, journey and cost of going to a niter or travelling further a field.

Jayne.x

Hiya lass, we'll have to agree to differ on that one. Niter folk are niter folk, they don't stop going because of the internet! I'm 41 and have three under-fives. Most of our friends fall into the same bracket with primary school age kids. I've had 5 years off, just occasionally going to local soul nights (because I've been mostly up the duff or breastfeeding lol), but have been back with a vengeance the last couple of months. It's work and family that stops us going out as much as we used to.

There ARE more events than ever out there, and it's easier to find out about them & see who else is going, but it does mean the punters are spread more thinly. The internet is just a part of the marketing mix for everyone, and won't ever replace flyers and word of mouth. Some promoters use it better than others, but I still got lots of mailshots through the post. I knew DJs in times gone by who wouldn't make tapes because they said it would stop people coming to niters! The scene has peaks and troughs of popularity, but it shakes down regularly. And how can anyone complain about glossy flyers when you've quality the like of the soulcommandos' Cardiff Allnighter ones? Sheer genius. And don't you scribble numbers and notes down on your Blackberry now rather than on backs of flyers ?

T'interweb. Couldn't live without it.

Theresa x

[Reg]

Hiya lass, we'll have to agree to differ on that one. Niter folk are niter folk, they don't stop going because of the internet! I'm 41 and have three under-fives. Most of our friends fall into the same bracket with primary school age kids. I've had 5 years off, just occasionally going to local soul nights (because I've been mostly up the duff or breastfeeding lol), but have been back with a vengeance the last couple of months. It's work and family that stops us going out as much as we used to.

Yep that sounds like me! I am still very limited due to lack of babysitters, energy etc (Gene is only 1) but I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel! Although I do prefer weekenders as I can be elsewhere for a few days rather than have to get up the next day after a night out and look after small children

[Guest bazabod_downunder]

I think that on the whole it has been a good thing for the scene, it's allowed soulies to further their knowledge, hear music they've never heard before, communicate with like minded people, voice an opinion & be heard (how many wrote letters to Blues & Soul, Black Echoes that weren't published), re-united old long lost friends, being able to make new friends, discover venues that they didn't know exist...the list goes on.

We've had many a fallen soulie type in 'Northern Soul...Australia' that attend nites now, so thumbs up from me.

KTF

Baz

I wondered what you all thought about The Internet in terms of soul as someone said in a post on here that the Internet didn't do Northern soul any good what do you think

for me personally it did or else we wouldn't be here talking about the scene we love aswell as you can search the net for tracks and cd's and records we all want without the need to go out of your house although i do both check shops/dealers and shop online

[Guest]

I don't really get this. Are you two saying that some people visit soul websites instead of going out to events? If so, I don't believe it: Listening to music via mp3/cd in a solitary manner is a completely different experience to listening to it played loud at an event, sharing it with like-minded folk! They are not interchangeable.

yes, I am really saying this. yes I have had many many conversations with people who've chosen to do this and yes, I agree with your comment.

Jayne.x

[Guest]

Hiya lass, we'll have to agree to differ on that one. Niter folk are niter folk, they don't stop going because of the internet! I'm 41 and have three under-fives. Most of our friends fall into the same bracket with primary school age kids. I've had 5 years off, just occasionally going to local soul nights (because I've been mostly up the duff or breastfeeding lol), but have been back with a vengeance the last couple of months. It's work and family that stops us going out as much as we used to.

There ARE more events than ever out there, and it's easier to find out about them & see who else is going, but it does mean the punters are spread more thinly. The internet is just a part of the marketing mix for everyone, and won't ever replace flyers and word of mouth. Some promoters use it better than others, but I still got lots of mailshots through the post. I knew DJs in times gone by who wouldn't make tapes because they said it would stop people coming to niters! The scene has peaks and troughs of popularity, but it shakes down regularly. And how can anyone complain about glossy flyers when you've quality the like of the soulcommandos' Cardiff Allnighter ones? Sheer genius. And don't you scribble numbers and notes down on your Blackberry now rather than on backs of flyers ?

T'interweb. Couldn't live without it.

Theresa x

Good post, but at 41 with 3 under-fives, your age & lifestyle isn't representative of the majority on the scene (Neither's Reg's or mine) I know that the net would never stop me going out but I feel there are many more who would and that outweights my little effort to support venues when I can.

Lots of people claim to have been niter people when they were kids and it really feels like more people dropped off the scene in the 80's than stayed on it from the stories I hear, they'd had ten years or so and needed a rest. Having families seems to have triggered that break. I think many of the the same people who came back out in the 90's are starting to have that break again and the internet is not the sole cause but is accelerating the decline again because people can still feel part of the scene without going anywhere...

Hey, I hope I'm wrong but I just dont believe that many people are still going out to different do's as much, as too many nights are empty and many people I speak to occasionally now say that they dont go out as much as they did.

Jayne.x

Edited October 21, 2008 by Miss BurySoul

[Guest]

Yep that sounds like me! I am still very limited due to lack of babysitters, energy etc (Gene is only 1) but I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel! Although I do prefer weekenders as I can be elsewhere for a few days rather than have to get up the next day after a night out and look after small children

yeh, but you're just a wild party animal!.

actually, that's something else I think you hear more now, there are many people who do prefer weekenders and have started dropping off the local scenes.

Jayne.x

[Guest]

Hmm, you can't be talking about me, I can't last that long

Phil

LOL.. no, I'm certainly not!. Hey you were still standing at a respectable hour at Prestatyn!.

Jayne.x

[Guest]

Not sure why you find it so hard to understand really. I see events touted as being progressive - then you look at the playlists and they really aren't that progressive at all.

Ok here's a few events i would go to

100 club

Lifeline - which i will be making the effort to get to in the new year

and errr that's it for me i'm afraid

Derek

ok... well I'm still confused. Every month on here it feels like someone's decided to start their own night because there's no one doing a good enough job and everything's the same and there isn't a night that's genuinely different etc. There must be more nights claiming to be different or progressive that oldies nights.

Middleton, Burnley nighter, DDA room @ Lowton, Morley Carr, Soulful Shack, in fact there are loads on this site that are claiming something different or progressive.. are you saying that most of them aren't genuinely what they say they are or they aren't doing a good enough job?..

Jayne.x

[pikeys dog]

You can lead a Horse to water, but a pencil can be jammed repeatedly in your eye.

[Baz Atkinson]

Heres my 2penenth for what its worth!!! Does the internet keep me from attending rare soul nights,does it shite ,im not that sad although i do get immense value from the media section of soul source.What prevents me is the travel element,the fight to remain lucid and rational for the rest of the week after a hectic night,the constant need for new tunes means that not one soul night on the planet could satisfy that urge but there again i am a collector,i go home happy when ive heard fresh new stuff how many taking 3 or 4 nighters aside offer that?

I do agree with Joan and Chalky it is a scene with such history and character witth deep meaning and a way of life for so many of us,what is difficult is keeping up with it as the years go by! The internet as a record collector is invalueble not only to track tunes but to google artiste etc and to keep abreast of information thats what its for ,these 2 strands are miles apart imho.Once the internet influences any element of our scene then its time to pack up because as you know its about that incredible personnal feeling of been up on the floor ,in your own little world dancing to somethng which brings out that deep intensity called soul!!! THE HISTORY TRADITION,HEARTACHE,JOY CANNOT BE REPLACED BY A COMPUTER END OF STORY!!!

BAZ A.

[Funky Si]

The way I see it, there are no soul songs about the internet, so it can't be any good.

[TOAD]

In the 80's we either travelled about in hired mini-buses/ coaches or on the trains (anyone remember the persil coupons?)

#

Derek

PERSIL TOKEN LOL LOL

YEAH ME MUM BLESS HER SAVED THEM SO WE COULD GO TO WIGAN ID OFTEN SAVE A FEW FOR MATES ON WOLVO STATION SO EVERYONE COULD AFFORD TO GO

THEM WERE THE DAYS OF SHARING EVERYTHING

[wolfie66]

This is a really interesting question to me because it's one I've been asking myself lately. Personally I love t'internet - as a soulie (and I'll always consider myself that no matter what some people on here who state that you've got be forever going to do's to be a proper soulie - sorry, that's b*ll*cks) who got into the free party scene in the late 80's early 90's - and there's plenty of us around - then started a family the internet has been a godsend. Not only sites like this, where I can get a feel for todays scene before I head out, but sellers sites like Manships, Moerers, Gemm or whatever to keep the 45's up to date, and the wealth of other sites like Night Owl etc dedicated to Northern/rare soul. It made me realise that it is still about, if I'd relyed on flyers etc I would've thought the scene long dead, restricted to the odd advert track or YouTube clip.

I think I've really got a feel for todays scene through it, and while I agree it doesn't substitute going to do's etc, no, nothing ever could because that really is what the scene is properly about, the music in itself isn't enough, for a new(ish) dad that still can't really afford to go it's been priceless.

So yeah, t'internet is a great tool and should be embraced - and if the rare soul scene is going to survive beyond the old troopers who've been going for the last 40 years it's going to have to be embraced a lot more I think. With all respects to Baz A and co:I'm not saying that the computer will/should/CAN ever replace the scene, but it's a handy tool, and a bit of a godsend to those of us who've taken a different path along the way - That wasn't the question.

Has t'internet improved the scene? You're all talking about it on here aren't you?.

Edited October 21, 2008 by happyhammer

[Guest Beeks]

Here's a question i'd like to throw out...would some of you even met if it wasn't for the tinternet?

Yes I know...no doubt you will say we all attended this together...or that together pre internet...and quite possibly that is indeed the case...and alot of you did meet purely going to dos...but I also bet that some of your friendships have been formed over this very website...getting to know them on here before meeting in a nighter say?

So surely for that very reason alone the internet is not so much of a bad thing?

[Pete Eccles]

Here's a question i'd like to throw out...would some of you even met if it wasn't for the tinternet?

Yes I know...no doubt you will say we all attended this together...or that together pre internet...and quite possibly that is indeed the case...and alot of you did meet purely going to dos...but I also bet that some of your friendships have been formed over this very website...getting to know them on here before meeting in a nighter say?

So surely for that very reason alone the internet is not so much of a bad thing?

Dunno about that Beeks, here is where i first came accross you!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Beeks]

Dunno about that Beeks, here is where i first came accross you!!!!!!!!!!

I know Pete...and i'd like to think your life has been made worthwhile ever since we met...

It's ok...you can buy me a pint next time you see me in gratitude

[Pete Eccles]

I know Pete...and i'd like to think your life has been made worthwhile ever since we met...

It's ok...you can buy me a pint next time you see me in gratitude

Don't hold yer breath