Represent your country with one artist/band.
 

If you had to choose one band or artist to represent your country who would it be and why?

You have to distill everything that's good (or bad) about your country through one band/artist and why they encompass your own country.

They don't even have to be your favourite band but you have to take into account their music, their lyrics, their image, their approach and realisation of their music.

You can even be negative about them if you want to but you should write honestly and put them forth as what your country's music has, is or will be about if it applies.

I already have my choice but it's rather late for me to get analytical at this hour and want to write a more coherent post than I am capable of right now!

I don't think Canada can go too wrong with Arcade Fire.

This is very difficult... But I'll give it a shot.

I think Radiohead would be a good shout for the UK. They've encompassed myriad genres and influences in a career that's generally defined by its consistent quality. In that sense, you could say they encapsulate the history of British popular music - there's been duds, but on the whole, we aren't too bad at this lark.

Their at times forward-thinking, at other times post-modernist, but always exploratory approach to music captures the essence of a British culture that's confused and alienated by the rampant consumerism and commercialisation gradually brought over from the smothering influence of the US. You sense that Britain is searching for who it really is - something I feel Radiohead's been doing in their music for years. On top of this, the feelings of unease, paranoia, weariness, angst and desolation that permeate a lot of the band's output can be transferred over to the feelings of British society as a whole. Nobody likes the government, our country's finances are in a mess and unemployment is up - the future isn't exactly a picture of peace and harmony.

The band's released albums that have shaken up the musical climates of the times, written content that has real social, contextual relevance, and managed to transcend epochs in British music that have held other esteemed bands captive. In short, they represent the progressive qualities of Britain's best cultural exports.

On the flip side, they also encapsulate the British music press's tendency to elevate any band that demonstrates a semblance of artistic ingenuity to the status of demi-gods.

Yeah... That all comes off as a little pretentious. Others will make a much better job of this. Good thread.

you made this very hard....considering that i live in a country where i disagree with 98% of the population....hummm i'll give this some thought

Oh c'mon you have to write more than that!

Great post fella, exactly what I was hoping for.

****!! this sucks for me since i mostly listen to Uk rock lol
but hmmm it would have to be the beach boys from 1965-67
or maybe the doors :)

USA... ugh!

Lots of tough choices. If we're going with a band, I say the Beach Boys. If it's a solo artist, I think most people would say Bob Dylan. But I think it should be Miles Davis.

Yeah but why? This is not a confrontational thread more a thread for members to really post in detail and not be lazy bastards ;)

I might have to go with Nick Cave. The fact that he had to move to Berlin to get some recognition has to tell you something about our culture. You also have to love the fact that he convinced Kylie Minogue to perform I Should Be So Lucky as spoken word.

I came to the wrong place then.

Realistically, there aren't a lot of acceptable representatives of Canada. I'm not even sure of what Canada's identity is (outside of stereotypes perceived from outside it), let alone who from our pitiful export list should stand for it.

I suppose Arcade Fire could be said to represent the English and Quebecois communities equally, and I suppose their activism and relief efforts reflect well. They carry themselves in a pretty understated way for being such an important and influential act in the last decade of music. I'm just waiting for someone to throw something smarter into the ring.

I imagine I'd feel more strongly about this if I felt a stronger cultural presence.