July 19th 2024.
In the 1990s, Blur and Oasis were in a well-documented rivalry that captivated the music world. As the filmmaker behind the documentary about Blur, Toby L is no stranger to the idea of good old-fashioned music rivalries. While modern pop culture may have the occasional feud between artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar or Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, it pales in comparison to the debauchery and drama of the 90s.
But could the music industry benefit from a little healthy competition and conflict between artists? Toby L, who spent six months following the former hellraisers of Blur for his documentary "Blur: To The End", certainly thinks so. In a recent interview with The Agency, he shared his thoughts on the importance of artists challenging the status quo and each other in a world where authenticity can often be manufactured by large corporations.
"I believe it's essential for artists to push boundaries and question each other because there's a lack of authenticity in today's pop culture," Toby explained. "What I mean by authenticity is that there are many people pretending to be the real deal, when in reality, there are massive machines behind them doing most of the work. It's crucial for artists to challenge this and stay true to themselves."
Toby also discussed the need for a little healthy competition between artists, citing it as a way to keep the industry from becoming too sanitized and controlled. "A bit of jousting within an artistic or creative community is healthy because otherwise, everyone's just covering their mouths and saying everything's fine. That, to me, is quite a dangerous place to get to," he said.
As for Toby himself, he certainly knows a thing or two about rock n roll. In addition to directing the documentary about Blur, he is also the co-founder of record label Transgressive Records. However, he was determined not to portray the band's journey in a nostalgic light, instead focusing on their enduring friendship and vulnerabilities. Blur, all now over 50 years old, played their biggest gig to date at Wembley Arena last year, which is documented in the film.
"Blur: To The End" not only showcases the band's incredible music but also delves into their personal lives and dynamics. In one powerful scene, Damon Albarn breaks down in tears while listening back to their latest album, "The Ballad of Darren". Toby described this moment as "profound" and explained that it set the tone for the entire filming process.
"That was on the first day of filming, so it was quite intense," Toby shared. "But it allowed for a deeper level of honesty and communication between the band members, which was incredible to witness."
In addition to the emotional moments, the documentary also captures some lighthearted moments, such as when Damon and Graham Coxon visit their former school, which has now named a music room after them. In typical rockstar fashion, they suggest it's missing a cannabis plant, much to the horror of the current headteacher.
"I love how the band regressed back to their younger selves in that moment," Toby chuckled. "It's not often that we see popstars having fun and not worrying about their image. In today's world, there's a fear of speaking out, which can be limiting for artists."
As for the current state of music, Toby remains optimistic and believes that there is always great music to be found if you look for it. While it may be hard to imagine another movement like Britpop emerging, he believes that a new scene could be just around the corner.
"I can't quite envision something like Britpop happening again, but who knows? There's always the potential for another national movement of music," he said with a smile.
"Blur: To The End" is now showing in UK and Irish cinemas, offering a glimpse into the enduring friendship and music of one of the most iconic bands of the 90s. And as for the future of music, Toby reminds us to keep an open mind and keep searching for those hidden gems.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
