Musical Memories: The Prosaics

The Prosaics, aka A.G. Williams, is one man with a machine, who through his songs offers both romance and disappointment and is a solution to the vacuous pop that seems to dominate the airwaves. His songs are wry, scornful and cripplingly English. ‘Frown’ the debut single from this uniquely clever and obscure music artist, is out now. We caught up with A.G. and asked what song always makes you...



Smile

‘Frown’ by The Prosaics

It’s just really well made.

That and the irony of it being used as an answer to this question just makes me smile more. Fans of Pulp, Gorillaz, Jack Stauber, John Maus etc - it will make you smile too.

Contemplate

‘The Shipping Forecast, Pt.2’ by The Prosaics

An incredibly insightful and witty synth-pop take on identity, musical originality and pseudo-political stances. It also makes you contemplate what kind of dry humoured prick would release a debut single entitled ‘part 2’ just for a laugh?

Cry

Ok well I am out of my own tracks released to date now, so… ‘Landlocked Blues’ by Bright Eyes

Not to come across all hipster and pretentious, but you can’t find the particular version I am referring to on streaming platforms, so you’ll want to search on YouTube or god-forbid actually buy a CD! On the live album ‘Motion Sickness’, following the humorously constructed one-line song ‘Make War (Short Version)’and the equally entertaining, if more typical ‘Make War (Long Version)’, the piece ‘Landlocked Blues’ is a masterpiece of poetic lyricism that tugs at the heart strings with descriptive imagery that leaves you both uncomfortable and in awe.

Laugh

‘A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours’ by The Smiths

How could you not…

‘They said “There’s too much caffeine in your bloodstream And a lack of real spice in your life”

I said, “Leave me alone because I’m alright Dad I’m just surprised to still be on my own”

Recently very misunderstood, Morrissey to date is still one of the greatest comedy writers of our time.

Want to work out

How little you know me.

Reminisce

‘Bukowski’ by Modest Mouse

From a dimly lit, upstairs room, backed onto the cold Medway marshes, tinkering with cheap synthesiser parts, sits a small but just as dry and sharp tongued, little A.G. Williams. Leaving his desk and relieving his eyes from strain, he flops on his bed with a Christopher Hitchens book and turns on his CD player, ready to sink into ‘Good News For People Who Love Bad News’ and contemplate his existence.

Forever the quirkiness of this band will stay with me.

Relax

‘This Is The Day’ by The The

Not just a pretty name, The The have a special place in my heart. Matt Johnson’s unique vocal and wondrous arrangements have often helped me relax on long and late night drives.

Feel Determined

‘Dress Sexy At My Funeral’ by Smog

I once reappropriated this laughably dark and wonderfully drab song during a show, so that every other lyric put the mum of an audience member who foolishly attempted to heckle me, in place of the character who flirts with the vicar at her husband’s funeral and in his eulogy tells the room of their sexual endeavours in the very graveyard where he is now buried. After what was an excellent (if somewhat lucky getaway) debut show, listening to this piece has become embedded as part of my pre-gig routine.

Dance

‘Head Over Heels’ by Tears For Fears

Since my first listen on the soundtrack of what very quickly became my favourite film of all time; ‘Donnie Darko’, this track has always rather ironically had me up and on my heels whenever it is played.