Five Bands:
- Radiohead (Hail to the Thief was the first album by Radiohead that I heard. It took me ages to actually listen to it, too. I remember listening to “2+2=5” and digging their sound, but never sought out the rest of the album. I was browsing YouTube one evening and happened across this Glastonbury performance and fell in love. I yoinked my brother’s collection and wore them out.)
- White Stripes (Elephant was pretty much my anthem album last year. Whenever I was at a low point and needed a bit of motivation, I would blast “Seven Nation Army”, take a deep breath, and get my life sorted out. I still do this from time to time.)
- the pillows (Prior to them, I hadn’t listened to much music that was not in English. The influences by bands I adored—such as The Beatles and Pixies—got me excited about music again. There was a period in middle school in which I listened to nothing but the FLCL OSTs. I had the pleasure of catching them live this summer and they kicked ass.)
- Echo & The Bunnymen (Ocean Rain is one of my many pick-me-up albums. There isn’t a single track I dislike. “Silver” was the first song I learned to play on my acoustic and I have a major soft spot for it as a result. They ooze everything that was great about music in the ‘80s and I am always tickled when I meet other people who love them as much as I do.)
- Neutral Milk Hotel (In The Aeroplane Over the Sea not only solidified my love for folksy rock bands, but they influenced my poetry. Discovering a band with lyrics like “soft silly music is meaningful magical” and “God is a place you will wait for the rest of your life” urged me to pick up a pen and write until my hand hurt. I have a 90-page novel I have been neglecting as a result. Thanks, Mangum.)
Five Artists:
- Nick Drake (Nick’s voice has been a friend to me through hard times. “Time of No Reply” was one of the first songs I heard that was not off one of his main albums. Before Nick, I had never sought out the entire discography of any band or musician. It was the first time I felt that I had to own every piece of music someone had composed in their life. He is just that good.)
- P.J. Harvey (Not off a main album, but I don’t care. Her voice is sex in my ears. Prior to Harvey, I had not really considered how few female rockers were in my library. That has slowly changed over the years thanks to albums like To Bring You My Love and Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.)
- Charles Mingus (Ah Um made me believe in jazz. My life is better as a result.)
- Bob Dylan (I can play his greatest hits forever. Neither of my parents listen to his music much so when I played a few of his tracks on a whim one day the question on my mind was, “Where the fuck has Dylan been all my life?” Another musical poet after my heart.)
- My boy, Sammy (Timeless class.)
I apologize for the length. this has been a necessary distraction.
Composing members:
0
Composing members:
0
