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In 2007, I wrote a slightly provocative blog for The Guardian about a singer-songwriter (who had died in 1997, from drowning). I said he was overrated. This was in the early days of Guardian blogs, and articles with comments. I was a nervous writer, trying to find my feet.
Possibly because of algorithms, or possibly because his fans are particularly rapacious, t is the piece about which I've received the most feedback, by far. Most of it is horrible. I still get an email about it most months. Last night, I got one to my personal gmail.
Some highlights: "You should be ashamed of yourself and I hope you feel like shit about it. He had 10× more talent than you in every single way in just his index finger. What the fuck have you done with your life to be so incredibly disrespectful to a wonderful musician?"
"Fuck you, either quit being a journalist or find a new fucking job. People like you make me sick to my fucking stomach. I wish nothing good for you. PS. Do you even play a god damn instrument, let alone make and release music?"
"If so PLEASE send it to me, id love to start my career in faux bullshit spewing journalism starting with YOUR hard work!" I wrote this 13 years ago. I've got grade 8 in violin. What does that matter? This does: these emails are always from men.
The fact they contact me personally wears me down. I find it particularly interesting that it's this artist – who I say in the piece that I loved. Not putting his name here as I don't want to get the same trolls. You know, very handsome, covered Leonard Cohen, sang Britten.
It's men saying: I can't cope that someone who spoke to my soul is being criticised, so I want you to hurt. This is by far one of the gentlest emails I've had. I don't hurt. I want to respond, but I block and delete of course. Nervous about posting this here. But am fed up.
