Hitting Send

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My memories are tangled and intertwined with certain songs or albums. For me, it can set a tone, mimic and amplify my emotions, or set a backdrop. It can lull me into a relaxed state, or it can energize me faster than any cup of coffee. It cradles and comforts me when nobody else understands, or it lifts my spirit and inspires dance. From rousing anthemic celebrations to moving ballads that conjure lost love and dissipated dreams, music expresses what cannot be put into words, yet cannot remain silent. I have said many times that “life deserves a soundtrack”. And I have my quiet, contemplative, meditative side too. But otherwise, everything is better set to music. Preferably loud enough to really *feel*, as my ex, (Mr.” Is that loud enough for ya?”) would attest.

During the Holidays, I reminisced with my mother about the albums I heard growing up in Amsterdam. The album I remember the most was guessed by mom without pause. “Stevie Wonder!” she immediately blurted out. I nodded my head and we laughed as we came up with a few others. Bob Marley had to have been a close second, followed by Cat Stevens and Led Zeppelin. Wasn’t Pink Floyd there, too? There were more, but you get the idea, right? I think I grew up on some great albums! There was also a great deal of live folk being played around me.

I became a rocker at a young age. I remember being very effected when my girlfriend turned me on to “Synchronicity” by the Police. It spoke to me in a different way than music had before, and inspired me to explore different genres as well. It also seemed to be the predecessor to my desire for some politics interspersed in my tunes.

I have listened to various cultures of music: I grooved to reggae; drifted to classic rock; bouncy-shuffle-danced, new waved and punked my way through the 80’s; raved the techno spots; played with rap and hip hop; rocked, head-banged, and even moshed. I’ve line-danced, polka’ed, and been a season ticket holder to the San Francisco Opera. But the next turning point came when I listened to the Cure while staying in Holland. Let’s say I may have had a higher acceptance of their music at the time. Their influence has stayed with me to this day.

By the early to mid-90’s I was full-fledged into alternative rock. By this time I had already fallen hard for my all-time favorite band, U2. I obsessively replayed Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Bad Religion, Filter, Offspring, Beck, Chemical Brothers, Garbage and many, many others. My friends and I were in attendance at numerous concerts and bar/club performances of what were mostly up-and-coming artists and bands. I still remember when I first heard the Foo Fighters, who are still in my (beloved) top five list. May I say that they just get better all the time? Not over-produced, but with clean instrumentals and stripped down lyrics.

The bands I am currently listening to the most are predominantly alternative. I still love U2, the Cure, Depeche Mode (That’s been a long love affair!), Zeppelin, and I’ve stayed with my favorites of the 90’s bands. I’ll turn to rock bands like Aerosmith (who are amazing live), The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and some others that might surprise you. I’ve also maintained an appreciation for a little reggae. I forget how long I’ve adored Coldplay, Radiohead, System of a Down, The Verve, Nine Inch Nails, Weezer and Audioslave, but my adoration obviously outlasted a couple of the bands. I’ve added to that a long list including bands like Linkin Park, Incubus, Muse, The Killers, The White Stripes (how do two people rock so hard?), Tool, Evanescence, Queens of the Stone Age (love the superman tat), The Bravery, Hot, Hot Heat, My Chemical Romance (who I thought were too bubblegum for me when I first saw them, but brought me around with The Black Parade), Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol, Interpol, Silversun Pickups, Feist, Arctic Monkeys, Mars Volta (live), Franz Ferdinand, Wolfmother, Army of Me, Plain White T’s, and many others that I feel guilty for leaving out. Sometimes there’s a marked departure and I’ll listen to 50 Cent, Kanye West (Don’t act like I never told ya!), Justin Timberlake, and of course, the talented Mr. Robin Thicke. Or I’ll get into John Mayer, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jack Johnson. Sometimes I’ll listen to classical. The more shocking reveal is that I really like Songs About Jane by Maroon 5 (Hey, Adam, I hear you do yoga… ).

I’ve been very fortunate to be able to attend many concerts that introduced me to new stuff I otherwise wouldn’t have discovered. Sometimes a friend will pass something along. I love being ahead of the game on hot new music, and swear I listen to lots that I haven’t mentioned. If you share my taste in music, or know of something I would enjoy, write and tell me what I must pick up. I’m looking forward to hearing my soundtrack progress.