Author: danocdj

So long big man…

I’m ready. I’ve been ready since i was 9 years old. Big man culture is dying, and i’m ready to carry the coffin right into the incinerator. It’s poisonous domination has lived among us for too long, and every single time I see someone go against it’s abrasive, brash grain, I celebrate. James Blake, i’m looking at you this week. Thanks.

Every time someone speaks up about their mental and emotional state, or not fitting in, or their imposter syndrome, or whatever else they’re using to beat themselves up with, we’re one step closer.

Life as a man is not sports cars, watches and shredding. It’s not sleeping with hundreds of women you met on Tinder, or talking about football, boxing and cricket. Not that there’s anything wrong with ANY of the above. And this certainly isn’t a dig at the material success we’re sold every day. I’ve had some of it, and I like it. Life as a man is YOUR experience. It’s how you choose to live your life, not what the world tells you.

Should I just pipe down with my Yorkie, and a bag of McCoys. Probably. It’s a lot easier to say nothing. To go under the radar. But stealth doesn’t work anymore. How you implant yourself in the minds of people is the important thing.

Am I less of a man because i’ve always had a fascination with flowers over football? Or candles over cricket? I think not. But it took me years to accept and understand that. To find out who I am. Not the pretend version of me I give to the world sometimes. We all have that side. But the only thing that really matters, the one thing that’s been the best part of my life, is finding out who I really am. And accepting that for all that it is. All that I am.

Sometimes that’s a struggle. I’d love to care about Liverpool not winning the Champions league. Or that really sick new watch people are posting about on Instagram. Why? Because I want to be a MAN. I want to talk about the stuff the big boys are chatting about. Believe me, in a commercial sense it would do me a lot more good. But I cant fake it. In fact, I won’t fake it anymore. It’s not worth it. The pretence is exhausting.

Like pretending you don’t have a problem. Or thinking “you got this!” when you clearly, DON’T got this. But you just listened to Tony Robbins on Youtube?! Being the Big Man is tiresome. And it’s literally killing us.

This, what I’m doing now, is the enemy of Big Man culture. I’m being honest. I guarantee the minute you try it, your life will change. Those secret struggles that you’re lugging around, those pains and hurts you just need to suck up, could all be gone, if you let someone else help you along the way. None of us have to do this by ourselves.

Jade Bird

In the modern vernacular, this girl’s voice is EVERYTHING. Jade was a fellow military brat, schlepping around the world like the the littlest hobo. She moved to London at 16 to make a career out of music, and 4 years later she’s finally starting to get some recognition. File next to Laura Marling and First Aid Kit.

Dizzy

I really don’t know a lot about this lot other than that they’re a 4 piece from Canada. I just thought this was a really nice tune when i first heard it, and find myself wondering when i’m gonna hear more. Or see them live. Which is always a good sign.

Billie Eilish

Strong name game going on here. A fellow O’Connell. Not related for all the transparency fans. She’s a 16 year old girl from LA who began making music with her brother a few years ago. Being the right age to be on the path to pop stardom is one thing, but also making catchy little bangers is another. Eilish is a social media over sharer, definitely worth keeping an eye on. Did I mention her middle name was Pirate? Arrrrrrrr. Shiver me timbers.

Sigrid

I love Skandi pop. They’ve always made some of the best tunes. I almost included Sigrid earlier in the year for part 1 of this blog, but had’t heard this at that point. Already looking like one of the first big pop songs of 2018, this Norwegian had to go on the list for this track alone. She’s also the BBC Sound Poll winner which in theory should be a great indicator of trajectory, but is becoming a little unpredictable. ‘Strangers’ is a TUNE.

Lil Xan

There has been a shift in the last few years to the idea of rockstar rap. Post Malone being the first big success story of this fusion genre. Think Kurt Cobain on trap snares. Lil Xan currently has a name issue though. The glorification of Xanax has all of a sudden become uncool, as millions of young people around the world are getting xaned off their nut on pills they’ve bought online. (Xanax is a prescription only med) So Lil Xan has decided his new name post re-brand will be ‘Diego’, his actual name. Although at the time of writing, the rebrand has been put on the back burner *shruggy emoji face* He has smashed 2017!

Greta Van Fleet

I’ve been accused of not supporting real rock this year \m/ So how about this? Greta Van Fleet could not be more Led Zepp if they tried. They got together in 2012, and these boys from Michigan are lining up a big 2018 with tours & a big Spotify session already in the diary. Viva La Rock!