The Sigla Blog

There’s no doubting the creative overlap between musicians and writers, (notwithstanding Salman Rushdie’s inexplicable appearance on stage with U2) but this week two articles particularly struck me. First up, was a piece in The Guardian by historical novelist Michael Faber (he of The Crimson Petal and the White fame) on working with Brian Eno. It provides an insight in to how writers and musicians visualise their work, with Eno attempting to score an Arctic-set story. Secondly, and fittingly, is Rick Moody’s tribute to the late Syd Barrett. Further fuel for the writer/musician overlap is Moody’s citation of Barrett’s song ‘Golden Hair’, which is based on Joyce’s ‘Poem V’. When Moody is not writing novels, he dabbles in a couple of collaborative music projects like The Burnside Project with the excellent David Grubbs, who is also the third member of The Wingdale Community Singers, along with Hannah Marcus of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Just as I was thinking about Syd Barrett today, a friend sent me an email with an unattributed quote about him, which proves how many people have lamented his 30+ year absence from music, long before his death.

“Barrett was unique in having so many posthumous songs written about him when he was still alive.”