Do Normal People Give A Shit About The BBC Sound Poll?

The psychics at the BBC have released their longlist for the Sound Of 2014. It's a strong selection this year, with Noisey favourites Banks, Chance The Rapper, Jungle, FKA Twigs and Sampha all making the cut. Ella Eyre, Chloe Howl and "get him on the track but keep him out the video, if you know what I mean" mainstay Sam Smith also feature.

As ever, the list sparked discussion about the future direction of pop music and who decides which acts become sucessful. But does anyone in the real world care, or this just another thing that Drowned In Sound forum dweebs, overexcited PRs and malnourished Noisey writers like to tweet about. We asked the man on the street if they’d even heard of anyone on the list:

Do you recognise any names from this list?
No. People always say that I’m weird because I don’t really listen to music. I listen to whatever’s playing. I like the stuff I used to like ten years ago.

But have the panel got it right this year?
I don’t know. They could be really good, you get bands that have these big write-ups, but all I care about is the music.

Have you got any tips for 2014?
I don’t know. I work in the gym so we just have the radio on in there, sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s that Nicki Minaj crap!

God, yeah! What crap!

So do you know any of the names on the list?
Nope.

Chance The Rapper? Sam Smith?
Nope. I love music but I like specific types of music. I’m a born-again Christian so I like gospel and things like that.

What will you be listening to in 2014?
I still love Nicki Minaj, I think she’s timeless. I think Justin Bieber should just calm down and go to sleep for a while. I still love One Direction. I think Ellie Goulding is getting better. I love my Leona Lewis and those types of people.

So you’re not bothered about the BBC’s list?
I don’t look to the BBC to tell me what to listen to, no.

Well actually Ellie Goulding won the poll in 2010 but I see what you're saying.

Do you recognise any of the names on BBC’s list?
No, sorry.

Is the BBC something you look to when it comes to new music?
Not at all.

So who are you backing to be the sound of 2014?
My friends Miss Dynamix, they were on the X Factor this year. They’re great pop music!

So have you heard of any on the list?
Yeah, most of them.

Are you a fan of any?
I’m in love with Sampha’s voice. I really like Chance. I really like Ella Eyre’s voice but I’m not too big of a fan of her new track though.

So is this a good list?
This is a really good list. But Banks? She’s been around for ages. I like her though.

Is the BBC’s sounds of the year something you look to for new music?
I tend to make my own way. But yeah, I do listen to Radio 1.

Congratulations. You're a 16-24 urban tastemaker. Is there anyone that isn’t on the list that should be?
I really like James Blake. I’m a bit sick of the electro sound and sick of deep house. I think 2014 is going to be more soulful types of things, music you can feel.

Do you recognise any of these?
No, I have no idea.

So the BBC’s sound of year list isn’t something you look to?
No. I’m probably the worst person to talk to because I don’t follow any trends. I listen when it’s there, I don’t search for music. If it wants to find me then I’ll listen to it.

So you think the list is misguided?
I think with names like Royal Blood and FKA Twigs they kind of put me off because it’s quite pretentious. Same with Say Lou Lou. I just look at it and think “What the fuck? That’s a bit weird.”

Yeah, I know what you mean. I mostly like music by people with ordinary names like Olly Murs or Charles Manson. Do you listen to a lot of new music?
When I was a student it was really accessible and everyone’s talking about music. I haven’t been a student for about four years, so I lost it. I’m always too fucked to really listen to the music, to be honest.

Have you heard of any of the artists on the sound of 2014 list?
No.

Is this something you look at to find out about new music?
Not really.

Do you actively seek out new music?
It just sort of comes to me, I don’t actively seek it out.

Would you be more inclined to buy an album of a band that BBC had backed?
No.

So this really isn’t something you’re interested in?
Not really, no.

Nice chatting to you Paul.