For someone like myself, being a more casual follower of music than I once was, I'm often only aware of things after they happen. I used to anticipate releases, performances, etc. It worked because I was paying attention and knew what was coming up. These days, I'm not quite as on top of things, and so I've no idea what I should be looking forward to. Any great artists with new releases coming out this year? What else are you looking for in 2019?
All posts by Philosofer
FMD 12-21-18: Making A List, Checking it Twice
Drop your random 10 lists. Then, uh... drop it again? Or... something else that would count as "twice". Maybe pick one of the songs that you'd listen to two times in a row? That's not a great idea either. I came up with this title before I had an idea. Someone help me out here.
Jade Bird – Uh Huh
My other favorite artist I've discovered this year (besides The Beths) is Jade Bird. She rocks. Also, something about her reminds me of a Muppet. But in a good way.
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November 12, 2018: The End
Joe Mauer retirement press conference today. Let us all gather and be sad and watch career highlights and such.
FMD 11/9/18: Wedding Music
I'm going to a wedding this weekend. So let's talk wedding music. What's good for a first dance? Father/Bride dance? What song do you have a piano version played of as people are waiting in the church after the ceremony (if you did the church thing). What goes on the do-not-play list for the DJ? Etc.
Not too long ago I was at one where there was a version of "She Drives Me Crazy" played as people were milling about. That was... fun? We supposedly had our pianist play Linus and Lucy after the ceremony, but I wasn't around to hear it, so... I still haven't gotten confirmation on that.
FMD 10/26/18: A New Start
No, not the Arrested Development reference.
We recently moved into a new house. It's smallish, but fits us well, and there's room to grow. The basement is completely unfinished and there are already footing poured for an addition if we ever wanted to grow outward too. This all has me thinking about opportunities, including the opportunity to set up a home for ideal music listening purposes.
I've not really followed all the various systems and whatnot, and I suppose I'll probably never actually get to do some cool system but... if you had a new start on a home, what kind of listening devices/locations/functions would you like to have?
As for right now... I'd be happy with finding a working CD player and eventually unpacking my old collection. It's been far too long. Maybe I'll get lucky and come across the right box this weekend.
Drop a list too, if'n you're inclined.
FMD 9/7/18: Let’s Talk Hip Hop
This post brought to you by the fact that the last two times I've gotten in the car I've heard, respectively, "U Can't Touch This" and "Gangsta's Paradise".
Hip hop is one genre where I often find myself lost. I know what I like (and it tends to be mainstream). I don't really know what I don't like (because my exposure is somewhat limited). I know that there are songs I tend to get tired of, and some that I could listen to a lot. I know that I don't know a lot about the history or movements or artists. I know a little, but that's pretty cursory. Anyway, it's a topic I can't speak knowledgeably about, but I'm guessing there are plenty of people here who can.
Go:
FMD 8/31/18: Back to School
With all the kiddos marching back to school, I thought maybe we could all take a bit to talk about our own personal music education. Who taught you to like what you like? Where did you take your first music appreciation steps? What quirks and habits do you have now because of what you were taught then? So on and so forth.
For me, my Mom was a big teacher. She had pretty good, but somewhat mainstream, taste in music. But with younger siblings coming along with some frequency, she tended to direct us to music that was more age appropriate for them, and we listened to a lot of Radio AAHS and Oldies. Honestly, I'm so glad that I've got the 50's and 60's familiarity that I have. I still really dig a lot of that. Also, my dad introduced me to some quality novelty stuff.
My uncle who is just a year older than me introduced me to 90's alternative music, and TMBG was definitely the band that stuck. Oh, and Weird Al. That was definitely fostered there too.
I hit college right as Napster became a thing, so I spent a lot of time checking out all sorts of stuff, but really hanging onto a lot of Oldies, but expanding that more into the 70's (and some 80's).
Not a whole lot changed for me until I caught Brian Oake's old Sunday night independent music show on a long drive. It was stuff I'd never heard before, and that opened a lot of doors for me. Anyway, that's my story. Nothing too exciting.
I'm guessing there are plenty of citizens with much better tales to tell.
And, for your Friday viewing pleasure, I offer the following Education related music video:
FMD 8/10/18: Brass
Let's talk about brass. Jazz, ska, swing, whatever genre. Songs that utilize it just a little bit, songs that embrace it. What do you like? What don't you like? Which trumpet player was the best? What's the best use of a french horn in cinema (Young Frankenstein, right?)? Does that 76th trombone really add anything that the 75th didn't? Etc.
I was a trumpet player in school, so brassy sounds are something that always resonated with me, and I don't think we've talked about instruments for a while, so it seemed like something worth throwing out there.
I used this version of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" on my summer mix this year, specifically because of the brass:
Then drop your top 10s and have a wonderful Friday!
August 6, 2018: Jumpy Monkey
I'm trying to keep this Cup coffee related. Just found out about Jumpy Monkey coffee which specifically works to employ individuals with disabilities in their coffee roasting business. They'll be getting some more of my dollars, I suspect.