1. Which is best for live music, which was best 10 years ago?
Pass
One thing is for sure the sucess of The Strokes has been a shot in the arm for the 'vintage clothes' / retro indie set in NYC. Mood is up, sales of velvet jackets & striped trousers must be through the roof. But who cares? (not me)
2. Which is best for clubbing, which was best 10 years ago?
Hmmm...
Small bar scene has overtaken large clubs for far longer than 10 years now in NYC IMHO
A remarkable fact is that due to zero 'carding', kids as young as 15 (the extreme end being girls who can dress up to look older) sneak in to all types of UK music clubs & bars. Therefore clubbing in New York makes for a more solid 'adult' experience & environment (welcome!) which is in stark contrast to clubbing in the UK.
3. Which was best for 'culture', which was best 10 years ago?
Pass, I am shamefully uncultured.
4. Which had more 'musicial innovation', which has it now?
Pass
Life in NYC is more 'hard bitten' & faster paced than in London, this CAN lead one to the assumption that 'artists' that can survive there must be more sophisticated, agile adaptable and altogether more "clever" to withstand the metropolis AND make art... But who knows where innovation might strike next? Does the ability to cope well with a speedy metropolis have anything whatsover to do with innovation? I think not.
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Interesting question, NYC is the obvious 'next step up' to a Londoner that enjoys fast paced life, doesnt have good weather as a life priority and is looking to gear up a notch. I have always got half an eye on NYC and relocating there. If I have a 'hit' recognised throughout the music industry in the future, I would seriously concider that time to make a move over.
On my last visit I was assured by an industry insider that overall music business was migrating to NYC from LA and that the bi-coastal system for the industy was on it's way out. I would like to belive this as LA doesnt hold nearly as much fasination for me and I have good contacts in NYC.
Personally I was disapointed to hear of the recent demise of Balducci's (an Italian high class food store) it was a lifes ambition to spend at least a few years living round the corner from it.
