Back in the twentieth century it was common that people created identities for themselves. They did not grow into someone else or changed slowly. They just thought: 'Hmm, I'd really like to be an artist'. And they'd start dressing like an artist, talking like an artist, thinking like an artist and living like an artist. They would even go out and find new friends to match this new personality.

Day 1: July, 3rd 2010
Parco San Giuliano, Venezia - Italy

The line-up for this summer’s HJF in Venice was announced some months ago, and included some of the most important names in rock, electro and hip-hop from around the world. The line-up included both young, upcoming bands and some older classics, such as Aerosmith, Pearl Jam and Massive Attack.
Are these good enough reasons to come to one of the prettiest parks in Italy, not far one of the most beautiful cities in the world to see these musical heroes?
We think so.

Richard Hawley once said of Pete Molinari: "He could sing the f***ing Yellow Pages and make it sound cool". A country/blues artist with a breathtakingly inimitable vocal style, the Kent born musician has spent time in New York and Tennessee developing his art. The American influence is evident - in both his lyrics and the style of music. Enkindled by the literary greats, Molinari is a trailblazer for honest art. With his new album A Train Bound For Glory now in stores, Matchless caught up the young singer-songwriter.

I hope this week’s pick serves merely as a reminder of and not an introduction to the Munich Readery, an English language bookshop in town. Well, not really a shop, but more of a lounge.

Named after their lead singer, John McIvor are a melodic fusion of blues, folk and tender acoustics. McIvor, along with Tom Hill (guitar) and Boris Baumeister (drums) have earned praise for the intricate story-telling within their songs. The band are palpably influenced by the London folk scene (Noah and the Whale, Mumford & Sons etc) and having recently played the illustrious Isle of Wight festival, the trio are destined to become a part of this talented young assemblage of musicians on the London scene. We caught up with singer John McIvor to talk about their rather promising future...