Prodigy album is part of exhibiton (From Daily Echo)

Prodigy album is part of exhibiton

3:29pm Sunday 24th February 2013 in News

IT is an album that holds a special place in Martin James’ heart.

Invaders Must Die by dance group The Prodigy represents a friendship with the band formed around the birth of his daughter more than 15 years ago.

Interviewing the band in Paris for Melody Maker magazine in 1997 Martin’s wife called saying she was about to give birth. The band immediately flew him home so he didn’t miss the arrival of Ruby Blue.

Now Martin is using the LP as his contribution to an exhibition of vinyl and music memorabilia being staged by Southampton Solent University as part of its SMILEfest and music fans in the city are being invited to make their contributions, too.

Martin, who is the university’s music journalism course leader, said: “I just loved the idea of the exhibition that music tells a story. It’s more than the story of the band, but a part of people’s lives.”

A celebration of peoples’ love of music and the personal attachment many feel towards their records and music memorabilia it can be seen at the university’s Showcase Gallery in Above Bar from March 2 to April 20.

SMILEfest, which is in its sixth year, includes gigs by signed and unsigned artists, guest speakers, master classes and art events, devised, organised and managed by students at the university.

Les Buckingham, curator, said: “There is the personal attachment many people feel towards the music, the band, the musician or the period they lived through.”

 For more information on how to take part email showcase@solent.ac.uk explaining what you would like to exhibit, why it’s special and what the story is behind it, by Monday.