Following his autobiography FerrymanJD Beauvallet, co-founder of Inrockuptibles, shares his experiences as a voluntary expat from 1983 to 2023 in Mind the Gap: a life in England.
Manchester acts like a magnet on the youngster Beauvallet. In 1983, it was there that his favorite label shined Factory Records. On the outskirts, in the disgusting buildings of Crescents Hulme, the Touraine settles down. Thefts and threats do not weigh heavily compared to the neighbor Haciendathe city's legendary club. Thus begins a new life for Jean-Daniel Beauvallet who will become rock correspondent for the musical magazine The Unrockuptibles. England fascinates him, the moves follow one another, Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool, London in disorder. The journalist is a privileged witness to the English musical scenes.
JD Beauvallet – Passeur: “After “Berlin”, I will never be afraid of the dark again”
Mind The Gap provides an analysis of English society through twenty-two chapters. Beauvallet displays his love for this complex and uninhibited country, where black humor and self-deprecation are displayed unvarnished. He discusses lexicography: Fools, Cunt, Bob’s Your uncle or Posh are explained there with relish, just as the skinheads of Worthing are described with fear. Because in his words there is a deep respect for the inhabitants. Like polaroids made in the UK, it offers the beautiful role to ordinary people, to eccentrics, to Northern English women and their boys who celebrate the freedom to be, often in excess, but deep down so modest.
L’Hacienda and his mafia bouncer Dominic Noonan are also there, Happy Mondays never far away. The characters frequent pubs and prefer stadiums to mass. Virtually muted sounds the playlist of Jaydeeas it is called in the UK. We don't hear Gary Newman more Tricks, TV Feet, Gorillaz, Little Simz, Pulp and many others. Pop culture brought color to England according to the author, Brexit ruined it. We take his word for it.
Mathieu Marmillot
