Thought I’d take a stab at a leftover Q&A question.
I always like asking musicians what music they’re currently listening to. It’s always great for inspiration within myself to find something new to listen to So, what are you currently listening to?
Currently I’m being a real poseur so far as musical taste goes. That is, I’m trying to figure out what the big deal is with all these bands and artists I keep hearing about. With some, I’m starting to get it. With others, it’s like being back in high school and wondering when leggings stopped being cool.
The Flaming Lips, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Modest Mouse, Good News For People Who Love Bad News
Death Cab For Cutie, The Photo Album
Ryan Adams, Love Is Hell (pts. 1 & 2)
Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Outkast, Stankonia
Jay-Z, The Black Album
In general there seems to be a world of music out there that deliberately avoids…well, for lack of a better term, “prettiness.” It’s a different aesthetic, one that takes some getting used to. Rock ‘n roll, I guess. It’s been around for ages, but it’s just never been much part of my music collection.
More in my neck of the woods, Matt Nathanson and Mindy Smith are quite good. Oh, and Rachael Yamagata. Rachael’s CD release show here was sold out by the time it occurred to me to buy advance tickets. Same deal with Damien Rice‘s show last fall. Eventually I will learn this lesson.