Part of me is reluctant to write this, but then the intelligent part of me realised I shouldn’t care if anyone agrees or not. I’m fully aware no one will- good job I write for me and not to please other people. If it offends, I’m not sorry.

It’s that vile time of year again where the TV is polluted with talentless folks clinging onto their sob stories in hope of becoming a signed recording artist. Little do they know that their shelf life will be at least 2 years, then its someone else’s turn. How can people watch this show and think, “THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE MY LIFE! MY DOG HAS DIED! I MUST ACT LIKE I CAN SING!” Oh just fuck off. For the love of something, just take yourself away. Far far far AWAY.

These reality shows make me angry at the best of times, but after reading an article written by someone who I regard as a highly influential musician and person; my level of angst reserved for these talentless shows proceeded to rise.

A lot of music I listen to comes from artists that are either on a small label or unsigned. I don’t listen to them because I want to be different. I listen to them because they have heart, passion and meaning. These artists have worked themselves to the bone to put a single out. They will play bus shelters just to make a few pounds so they can eat. They work 2 jobs just to pay for studio time- but do you know who they are? No you don’t. But you could probably list the last 5 winners of X-Factor couldn’t you? How can a 13 year old declare “I’VE WANTED THIS MY WHOLE LIFE.” Child please, you’ve not gone through puberty yet and your mum still dresses you. Your only struggle in life was choosing what cereal to have.

I read JD Samson’s article last night, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. How can someone, who was part of a band that was a huge part of my life for so long, be so utterly broke? I completely sympathise with JD about being broke. I currently can’t afford to buy a loaf of bread. Although, I guess cutting it out of my diet will cause me to stop being chubby. But seriously, how can an artist so talented and inspirational- have nothing at all? This isn’t right. It’s beyond disgusting that someone with so much talent has nothing to show for it. Yet these fools that prance around every weekend on stage and get praised or shot down by people who claim to have some kind of talent/knowledge of something musically related will end up making millions.

Why does someone get excited every weekend to watch this shit? Go on, go read a book- I dare you. I dare you to listen to something with heart such as Clara Engel or Doll And The Kicks. Go on, fuck what you are told to listen to and consume. For once, think for yourself.

The thing is, with me feeling this way I’m probably going to be labelled as wrong, a pretentious piece of shit who has no idea what they are on about. Truth be told, I’m just someone who is beyond passionate about music and it kills me to think that people regard what they see on X-Factor as “good.” When it really isn’t. Good music will outlive you. When you die, your grandkids and their grandkids will not be talking about who won X-Factor in 2010. They will still be talking about how influential the Rolling Stones are. They’ve been going for fucking decades. Their energy is inspiring; they have more energy and charisma than those who twat about on stage for their 15 minutes of fame.

When you see something you adore just fall to pieces, you feel compiled to pour your heart out expressing your worries and frustrations.

It’s basically a cattle market. They are lined up, told to sing. They then break down on stage. Told they aren’t good enough. Told they are good enough. Told to go away. Start crying. Tell a story about a dead gerbil. It’s the same old dire sequence every single time. You know what’s worse? When people who more than likely have a mental health problem go on stage and are just mocked by those who watch it.

How would YOU feel if you stood on a stage and everyone just laughed at you? How would YOU feel if a relative of yours was being exploited like this?

A lot of the people that appear on this awful show look like they’ve just stepped out of Topshop, stand as if they have shit themselves and warble for two minutes. There is NO personality. There is NO depth to them. Come on people, wise up to this shit. You do not have to buy into it. Save yourselves, save music. Believe in GOOD music from the heart.

A band that I’ve adored for years, Doll And The Kicks have toured with Morrissey and put out an (self funded I must add) album. They’re not signed, but they are so fucking talented. They could easily be this country’s biggest and best band. As they are not signed, nobody pays them any attention. It’s heartbreaking and it is so wrong. Their music is different from anything else around. They have something so bloody good to offer- but does anyone care? No. Because if they did, they would be signed by now. However, I guess they’ve done something an X-Factor contestant will never do. Support the greatest male singer of all time, Morrissey.

I’ve frequently had emails from artists that are unsigned email me and ask if I would write about them here, I always do. Last night after hearing Clara Engel’s voice whilst reading JD Samson’s article, I knew that I was listening to something so precious. I was listening to someone who may never be as “famous” as the idiots on these reality shows, but its okay. It’s okay because I felt something in her music that just left me in awe. It made me believe again. When you can find an artist that makes you feel that way, you can shut off all the shit around you that you are apparently supposed to enjoy.

When these contestants put their music out, they are depriving real musicians of being recognised. I urge you to find an artist that is not signed or not well known and just promote the shit out of them. Start a blog about them, bombarded radio stations with their songs, make a Facebook page about them, write to magazines about them- help them out. We need them; we do not need manufactured drivel that has no worth.