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Am I Trending yet?

by Austerity

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about

Like most of our songs, 'Am I Trending Yet?' originates in a groove, it took a while to take shape cos I was struggling to find the right vocal delivery. The outro is a big triumphant thing with crashing cymbals, so that's kinda new for us. It's also the first thing we've ever written that's not in 4/4.

The two verses reflect hegemony, and some of the dumb stuff that is widely accepted without criticism as legitimate voices within the discourse of 'mainstream opinion'. Stu's disinterested voice makes vague claims appealing to democracy and sovereignty.

'Controversy For Cash' refers to people like Katie Hopkins who have made careers out of churning out a torrent of offensive garbage. These talentless, cynical guns for hire spend their time making themselves outraged on purpose, but only within certain parameters, at set times, about certain subjects; but mainly, on demand, obediently, whenever someone is willing to pay them handsomely to make a headline that thousands will click on and interact with, headlines which are pushed even if the actual content is mostly non-existent or a non-story. The whole thing is rotten to the core.

This chorus line and song title 'Am I Trending yet?' pokes fun at the increasing tendency to prioritise social media heat over creating quality content.

In the outro, Stu's vocal ponders the real cost of this manufactured outrage, while Tommy's voice suggests that these views are often considered to be 'common sense', then revealing that this stuff is all cultural hegemony.

The cover art by Karl M V Waugh draws attention to the financial implications of this trend and the money at its core.

As with all songs from this live session, Am I Trending Yet? features Rhi Kavok from Gulls on backing vocals.

credits

released July 16, 2021
Composed by Thomas Vincent; Stuart Chaney; Samuel Luck
Recorded Live at Small Pond, Brighton by Tom Baker
Filmed by Alec Chaney & Austerity

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Austerity Brighton, UK

Austerity are a three-piece post-punk band from Brighton (UK)

Citing XTC, Scritti Politti and Wire as influences, but frequently compared to Gang of Four, A Certain Ratio and Fugazi... Austerity's sound is a high-octane collision of swaggering bass & drum grooves, scratchy, chaotic guitar and snarling vocals, spitting bile on complex political ideas, but always remaining rooted in everyday life. ... more

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