Owen Jones meets Paloma Faith | 'Musicians are scared to speak out'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2016
- Paloma Faith is rare as a modern musician because she's willing to speak out about her political beliefs. She told me that few musicians discuss politics because of the abuse directed at them on social media. People like Bob Dylan, Nina Simone and Bruce Springsteen show how politics and music can mix - but too many contemporary artists are worried about album sales to voice their opinions. We also chatted about Brexit and what young people can do to bring about the change they want.
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Christ if it's hard for the Lefties to discuss politics imagine how hard it is for the more conservative celebrities.
Yep, but left of centre is by far the most popular and pervasive social position in western society today. So its easy to conclude that conservative public figures will get more abuse online. That's not even touching on the increasing radicalisation on the left, which is being tolerated in a way the right wing version never was. I'm a centrist, but the left moaning about social censure is laughable.
conservatives will get the same amount of abuse as liberals/socialists, rude people are all over the political spectrum
How very scientific of you. Both sides get abuse, but the same amount? I don't think so, if you say poor people only have themselves to blame you demonstrably get more abuse than if you say Bankers are immoral and should face legal charges.
They're the ones who remain very quiet.
'traditional marriage' being a euphemism, of course, for 'gay couples shouldn't have the same rights as straight couples'. Doesn't sound so harmless now does it?
Woe is me it's so hard being a reactionary!
You know you've gone through the looking glass when a wacky funster pop princess makes more sense than anyone in Westminster. Paloma for Prez!
you absolute Penis. please tell me one of her good points...
she has nice tits ?
Doesn't matter if you're a pop princess, a politician, straight, gay, black, white, flamboyant, sober, Muslim, Christian or Atheist. You can be categorised as any combination of things and still talk sense. I think those with closed minds struggle to look past the looks/accents/superficialties and actually hear the words. The two comments above this one demonstrates this point perfectly.
dirtcom7 Why do you write "Penis" using title case?
Cameron Smith Yeah! (Except for the politicians. They are never going to make sense.)
So refreshing to hear someone talking about the need for modernization of politics, I think changes are desperately needed to galvanize the younger generation and make a positive change
change to even further left wing politics what's been ruined by SJWS and the regressive left?
Ok. I'll ask. What does 'modernization of politics' actually mean'? Doing away with one man/woman/none binary gendered one vote? What?
She mentioned one idea in the interview: online voting. There are security issues with that, but they can be handled. She also brought up the way issues are communicated, which could stand some work.
Online voting. That's a process. And more PR/slick presentation? What matters is credible policies. Not empty rhetoric. And the need to actually listen to what people say. Rather than talk down to them.
+Awesome Avenger Politics is all about process. Any change to the process that gets more people involved is for the good. And communication is two way. People need to listen, and they need to speak. That's how relevant policies are formed.
I love paloma faith, she's a really decent human :) (Owen too!)
Last major musician to speak out on something political was George Michael in 2002 just before the disastrous invasion of Iraq. He went on Frost, Hardtalk and others to try and persuade the nation that what we were about to do was not going to end well. He was almost universally laughed at for being a pop star and having the nerve to speak out on such a matter. The media vilified him mercilessly, he was told to be quiet, radio stations wouldn't play his song Shoot the Dog which poked fun at Bush and Blair, effectively he was silenced. With hindsight we can now see how spookily accurate he was, but given the treatment he received at the hands of a (at the time) blood thirsty media, it's easy to understand why artists don't speak up these days, so Paloma gets my upmost respect for doing so.
she is right!
Always disappointed by some of the hate-fueled comments left on your videos, but I really enjoyed watching this - utilizing modern and loved artists to inspire and involve younger people like myself to educate ourselves on today's politics and how they will affect our futures is a wonderful idea and I applaud you, Owen. Keep doing what your doing.
I really think he should host the videos on site that allows disqus (maybe lock the comments on here as well)
The level of right wing vitriol must put a lot of people of interacting, and only helps normalise their shitty views.
Why are there so many right-wingers on Owen Jones's' videos?? I really don't get it
Arman M
They've bitter shut-ins, who affirm their existence by trolling people. (a lot of them probably get most of their information of youtube as well)
andy mane
Not a White Nationalist/Neo-Liberal = Ultra Left Wing
Where the fuck are andy manes comments
Loved that interview Thank you Owenn, and thank you Paloma for having the courage of your convictions this old fossil was well impressed
Come now. You know they'll be coming for her in the early hours of the morning. The footsteps. That dreaded knock at the door. The panicked tearful goodbyes. And for what? Daring to give us all the benefit of her vacuous political beliefs?
The courage to repeat what all her friends say, surrounded by people who agree with her. How fucking courageous!
well said.
Thanks Owen. When you introduced Paloma I thought OMG! Hold tight! But I think she spoke a lot of sense with good balance. The only thing really is that we need to start talking the country up, and let's be optimistic!
David Cameron and co have been waaay too negative in the campaign. That's now over. Tony Benn would be dancing, so let's remember why, and seize the opportunities!
Excellent video, think paloma should ditch the day job and become a politician😂 no disrespect to the girl she's an inspiration
"I feel, I feel, I feel".
Stop feeling and start thinking!
You can't have one without the other
Ave, true to Caesar.
Answered an ad calling for unskilled labour, now I'm MP for Barnet North!!
That was such a great interview!
As as someone who could fairly be accused of inhabiting several of the so-called bubbles I have to admit I found last nights panorama illuminating and chilling. As much as I hate the Brexit decision I cannot deny the situation that many brexiters are in and how it led them to their conclusion. Genuinely I cannot blame them, I can see it. They have been cast on the scrap heap and ignored. It's not only socially irresponsible but morally reprehensible. This was decades in the making and will be decades in the fixing but the whole system must now take this opportunity to deeply reflect on how it went wrong and make the monumental effort needed to address the issues. I'm pleased this referendum could result in more political engagement by those who previously didn't participate but I fear the ramifications if the whole political and social nexus does not respond appropriately. We need a clean slate.
Great to see you going strong Owen. Keep it going!
hi Owen
Hello!
Omg hi keep doing what you're doing its awesome!
Thank you very much! Will do.
+Owen Jones good on her ...
ever thought of interviewing akala ...
@akalamusic ...
I'm trying to get an interview with Akala organised. Stick around, let's see if we can make it happen.
Hi Owen cool interview. Be awesome to see you do a few more music related things. You ever thought of featuring a few community based projects?
Where was Paloma during Brexit? She says she's concerned but what did she do about the referendum during the debate?
Babe No.1 meets Babe No.2 ♡ Paloma is so great - loved what she pointed out about the riots, I agree that it was glossed over. :)
Online voting? I can't be the only one who thinking electronic voting is fucking mental?
I am so in love with Paloma Faith
Maybe it's different in Britain, but I can think of many, many recording superstars who are quite happy to go politicking.
Wow! I’ve always loved Paloma, and after listening to this I love her even more...
Hi owen, great channel and I loved reading your book the establishment on holiday in Spain. What are your thoughts on a anti-tory coalition proposed by Caroline Lucas as the next GE?
Great interview as always! Carrying on with the theme of interviewing musicians, I'd love it if you could interview Rou Reynolds from Enter Shikari - if there was a Face of Politics in modern music, I'd say it's him without a doubt!
Very cool interview. :)
Owen is obviously doing something right judging by all the right wing anger in the comment section. Every smarmy and dismissive comment solidifies the views of the left
oh dear
I'd like to hear you speak to Omid Djalili. especially about his new documentary. just an idea :) keep going, owen! i'm a recent sub, but liking these videos!
She laughs so easily and is so real and open. VERY UNDERRATED STAR.
Completely agree with what Paloma said:
Politics need to be updated and speak a modern language.People in politics are snob and dismissive to people that from their perspective are not "well educated" and do not have the right information or facts. Democracy and politics re about people, opinions, experiences... Any argument is relevant and must be heard... Politicians act sometimes just throwing facts to each other, numbers, dates... Politics is turning like economics, like the the small print on a mortgage contract... a very complicated language that people don't understand, and they don't care to do so. And the bad politicians are using that against us throwing big statements and headlines to the media that are normally lies, in order to catch the attention of those not "well educated" that are easy to persuade.
A good interview with a highly intelligent and well informed person.
This was an awesome interview to watch.
How to treat her seriously with the way she talks ?
She actually speaks about people like you in the video trying to undermine what she has to say because she talks in ways considered "unintellectual". Ironic you should then go and make such an ignorant comment.
ad hominem!
How does anyone treat you seriously if you go around acting like dick a to everyone else.
Paloma being interviewed by you makes everyone afternoon! obrigado Owen!
I wonder what Nana Mouskouri thinks about the EU?
I like her even more!
this is so nail on head! excellent stuff
Afraid to speak out?
I wish musicians would just shut up about politics for a change...
Paloma: ''The people who voted to leave are probably going to suffer first.'' The working class people are suffering and have been suffering for 40 years. That's why they voted leave.
yes and the poorest suffer most under the neo lib EU...
Champagne & socialism are a hell of a mix!
I've mentioned this in the comments before but I'd love Owen to interview Rou Reynolds from Enter Shikari. + I hear he's a fan :)
If you could have a conversation with Rou Renolds (hope I spelled it right) that would be so lovely.
love your videos - please interview lily allen!! (her tweets from the garden party with farage and murdoch were hilarious)
It's fantastic when people in the music industry speak out about politics. If anyone can get young people engaged, it's them. I would love to see you interview Noel Gallagher, another person in the music industry with a working class background who has never been afraid to speak his mind.
this is the same Paloma Faith who was recently seen advertising Mastercard credit cards to her young demographic?
UK Grime and Hip Hop artists are generally very opinionated on current affairs - Stormzy, Novelist, Skepta, members of Section Boyz all spoken out on recent issues such as Syria and Brexit.
Owen you hero. Keep doing what you're doing.
Hilarious in light of the recent election result! 2 total space cadets.
I think you are talking about the Johnson department.
Owen have you ever considered that the reason musicians don't tend to comment on politics or take strong views on things is when they create something, a song, a movie etc. The impact that song/film has on the lives of the people viewing it is often profound, and by the artist making a strong statement on a particular subject they automatically alienate a large section of there audience, which is not only bad for the artist but can ultimately ruin the place a particular piece of music or film had in somebody's life.
>Musicians are afraid to talk about their shitty beliefs
Good one
I don't like her music but I agree with her 100%
I feel what she has said also reflects the shift in the Labour party and why so many of them have lost/left their "jobs.
Also, as a young person raised in the age of instant information, we ought to be able to make the better calls than our predecessors, that ignore the mistakes they made and keep on making.
another great video owen
Why does she talk like a Teletubby?
Why is 'Teletubby' in my phone's memory when I've never typed it before?
Would love to here what paloma thinks about current situation ?
She certainly is a lovely intelligent genuine person 💕 great interview 👍
The one political video i've watched since #brexit which has made me feeling slightly optimistic.
You haven't been to a Massive Attack gig lately?
Ah I really enjoyed this! I love Paloma Faith
Should try and get an interview with The King Blues if you fancy more opinions from musicians. I think more political musicians are to be found in alternative music.
So where is the modern political music? I'm listening to a spotify playlist called "Now Thatcher's Dead" and it's amazing that people, pretty mainstream people too, like Jarvis Cocker, were singing "c**ts are still running the world" and the such. Perhaps music doesn't carry the same messages any more since social media and twitter and the like have become so popular.
Does Owen ever interview normal people, or just celebrities?
Respect to Paloma Faith for speaking out. She speaks a lot of sense.
Of course many people spoke out on both sides but the establishment will always look after themselves regardless.The tories have screwed the country over and the break up of the UK will now unfold.
interview lowkey!!!
I voted leave primarily to spite people like these two
+Razamataz Productions in a grave. like your ideology
what a stupid, inane reason to make a decision. your comment doesn't make them look laughable, it makes you look laughable
Because that makes sense.
You did the right thing my friend
Who's laughing now though, you or me?
I hope more musicians do speak out. I myself as a musician Owen try and craft my music around the issues of our time as well as my own struggles with my mental health. But Paloma is right, speaking out does have a negative effect on sales, particularly in an industry which is becoming less and less about creative individuals expressing themselves and more about labels crafting artists music, image and PR around increasingly homogeneous sounds and topics with the soul intention of just making money. It may cynical but it's what I see. Would anyone agree?
Owen you never answered My Question from last Week Man. Pls can you Foresee an Snap General Election?
i can see it coming.
Hi Nick, it was something I predicted in my pre-Brexit video. Theresa May has ruled it out but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
+Owen Jones how would she get the two thirds majority: Tories plus SNP?
But by what mechanism could it come about. The conservatives might be divided against themselves, but they are more divided against a Labour/SNP coalition, which is the only likely alternative outcome.
+Owen Jones Yes you did indeed. Am still recovering from Yesterdays Shock Resignation. & it ain't Evans Resignation from Top Gear. LOL. Owen as am sure that you know & Appreciate things Politically are Charging via the Min. & there Resignations Galore. Also Angel L. Has also Ruled out an Early General Election. Hasn't The NUT Also gone on Strike Today over Pay? So Owen can you Foresee an early GE or General Election from say between Sept - Nov? & when would you say roughly?
Owen, please interview Paul Mason, Glenda Jackson, Mark Steel, James Dean Bradfield, Arundhati Roy, J K Rowling, John Pilger, Ken Loach, Elton John and Leanne Wood. Even me at some point in future- I've been writing a few little books that might interest you.
Not a single argument presented all video. Descriptions OF what someone's opinions are aren't hugely enlightening.
Really enjoyed that interview. Got a lot of respect for Palormo. Totally agreed with everything she said.
Love these videos and what you do, need more of this not just from your self and Paloma but other people who young people can relate to and close the political divide that appears to be just getting bigger after the referendum.
I really wish someone could find out what paloma faith thinks about Brexit.... said no one ever
leaving and learning
Fantastic stuff! What a wonderful, caring and articulate young woman. Thanks.
Why aren't you making videos defending Corbyn in his (and Labour's) hour of need instead of speaking to celebrities?
Smart lady. However, the country was split about 50/50 on the vote and this is not some great unjustice of the world like vietnam or apartheid.
lapisredux thats about 50/50 !
Captain Rhodes yeah,in the remainiac world.
lapisredux your missing the point
Captain Rhodes what,that 2+2=5?
lapisredux oh jesus. your being so stupid. the point was this. musicians do not need to speak out against the referendum because the country is split which shows theres no large majority movement either way. speaking for or agains will only alienate half their fans. Also brexit is not a war or a humanitarian crisis so its not something to be protested against via music. understand now?
The only thing she said that made sense is young people should bother to vote and people should be able to vote online. I've been saying about the online voting for 15 year now, I wonder when it'll happen.
Whilst I agree that the referendum was torrid, the narrative being broadcast is that people didn't understand implications of leaving the EU. Given the reaction we've had from some remainers, I think it's definitely fair to say that this argument works both ways...
The lack of irony when she says she was at one of the worst schools in Britain, and then gushes over how it was run by socialists!
Voice of an angel.
(Well, singing voice.)
Owen I really Enjoyed your Interview with The Artist Taxi Driver. Though that was thus done awhile back Now. Owen would you Consider yourself an Activist?
I honestly think non violent protest is more that pointless. The only thing I disagreed with! Great video again Owen!
There is a difference in being to scared to speak out and protecting there own interests....those who have something to say but say nothing only fear their bank balance reducing. Money speaks louder than words
Interview Akala! Great musician with very intelligent political views
its not just economic paloma.
it is for her, wonder why that is...
owen didn't ask miss faith if she supports JC! would have liked to have known mate!
I assume you mean Jeremy Corbyn, not Jesus Christ. Paloma has said many times that she supports Corbyn.
Of course this loony bitch would support that communist, back in my day if Corbyn had expressed his views me and the lads would have lynched that traitor.
Back in your day Corbyn's views were the mainstream of the Labour Party, whatever you and your lynch mob of "lads" thought
You might want to find out what communism is first before you appear online making a complete tit of yourself by talking complete and utter shite.
Talking to yourself again?
Musicians of note really do need to be outspoken. This is a time of injustice. I want to see artists speaking out at ceremonies like the Brit Awards. I want to see a public blood letting of the Tories in particular. These villains need to be destroyed publicly.
Where's the Angie the Eagle Intaview ? What about the Chicken Coup ?
The Labor story of the decade, and... this.. !!! ?
Why should more people in music ,in your view, speak out? Are their voices more important to you, Owen, than others?
She was great in that St Trinnians film with Russell Brand.
"The people who voted for us to leave are probably going
to suffer first."Sounds like a threat.
She's the female version of David Beckham.
Interview Akala he never fails to give a good interview.
Really liked the interview but: there really is no such thing as online anonymity so having online voting would be a mistake.
Interesting interview Owen. Class struggle is the unwelcome throwback of our times. You can see the culture of rent seeking, mortgages and debt sucking the lifeblood out of the middle and lower classes and the money doesn't seem to come back. We need solutions for ordinary people to be able to get by in a high tech, increasingly automated economy that pushes so many people into redundancy.
so why is the UK going to suffer economically? fascinated by the theory that trade will suffer as a result of an exit as we consume far more than we export to the EU and therefore they need us more than they need them. you don't need to be in the single market to trade with no tariffs and the EU exerts protectionist policies against the rest of the world including the US!
Do a video on the education system. I think someone needs to interject before schools stop becoming schools and instead become grade factories
schools are not schools anymore. they are programming centres from day one.
Too many "likes" to get through the whole video. A shame because she seems nice.
Just thinking out loud but when Dylan and Simone were speaking politically (or singing it etc) - were they not speaking in the same terms as their target audience? If Paloma Faith comes out in favour or against Brexit, she's dividing her audience because pop music has become universally popular. However, the big thing is presumably that the money has really dropped out of pop music and unless you're universally adored, you won't make any cash - so musicians have to aim for neutrality and keep shtum. Kudos to Paloma - legend.
Who can't respect the smart & talented Paloma! Please have a concert date in Vancouver B.C.
There's so many things that you have to give up to be a professional musician that I simply don't give a fuck anymore. This is one of them. It's not worth it to lose your voice just to maintain a nice boxed in consumable saleable image.
I love Paloma, such an amazing talented artist.