When I was a music major in college, I had to listen to a lot of crap progressive music. And call it “art.” Because that’s what music majors do.
See, we didn’t just listen to Beethoven, Brahms, and Wagner (pronounced, “VAHG-ner”). We listened sometimes to this really weird experimental stuff. Stuff done with electronic sound devices instead of instruments even. Really weird stuff. And it’s “art”–I know, because the professors told me it was. Apparently some guy even wrote a song with 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence and called it music. (Now that’s enough to wake you up on a Monday morning.)
Okay, so some of this progressive stuff I actually liked. But some of it I laughed at, honestly–which is why they don’t let me come to the music department anymore.
So anyway, right now I’m sitting in this upscale sandwich and tea shop called “Cosmo” while The Director holds a casting call in another building nearby. This place I’m sitting in has really ultra-modern decor, like the seats are uncomfortable and everything. Crazy art on the walls. But that’s not the weird part.
The weird part is that the soundtrack for this place sounds like some of the crazy electronic noise I used to have to listen to in college, with one added feature: a hip drum loop behind it all.
I’m not kidding. I wish I could record a clip of this and have you hear it. It’s really freaky. I like to think of myself as a hip, cool, with-it kind of guy. But this is just a little too eclectic for moi.
So…where are you right now? What music is in your background?
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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I should turn some music on right now but as of now my ‘music’ is the gurgling of the salt water aquarium of Husbands and the distant sounds of Sponge Bob on the Den TV with the boys arguing about game on the computer.;)
I love music. I think if you find the right music at the right time. music can inspire, motivate, and calm. I personally listen to alotof techno i college to meet is fast pace thoughts and spontanious lofe style ot complament the beat. After college I was feeling kinda “sorry for my self” and moved to a different state and HATED it..so naturly I found Robert johnson and kebmor to confort. Now that I was more older and relaxed, i listen to hip, pop music. But I still can’t stand the fake electronica they blast at the mall or grocery store.
Music! One of my favourite topics in the whole wide world.
Speaking of eclectic, I went to see Mojo Juju and the Snake Oil Merchants the other week. Now THAT is eclectic. But extremely cool. The only problem was I felt completely out of place in my jeans. Had I been wearing a torn evening dress, fishnets and sneakers with a flower in my hair I would have been much more at home.
Heather
Today I was on pandora.com (love that site) for listening enjoyment to accompany our coloring and puzzle play. We were in a classic 80s groove: Peter Gabriel Us and U2 Joshua Tree.
I’m sitting in a cube farm in a software-development division of a global company with clients in the financial services industry. There’s no music actually playing in the background, but I think we can all hear dirges anyway.
Jeff,
Ha ha! Again, I can really relate. Growing up, my father had always been a member of the symphony orchestra (Denver, then Seattle). He played the clarinet. So, I grew up listening to him practice classical, along with many other genres of music. As well, I began piano lessons myself in 3rd grade.
One of my college roommates, Alicia, was a Music Major. She, too, was required to listen to quite a wide-range of music. Most of it, I liked…as I consider myself to be pretty well-rounded in terms of enjoying music. However, some of it was down-right hilariously weird and I’d chuckle at it’s utter oddness. Some was just loud, yelling “noise.”
In answer to your question, I’d say I enjoy a miriad of types of music: folk, rock, 60’s-2000’s, some soft rock, some “Christian,” celtic/irish, some international flavours, African… Some of the music I like you can hear on the Playlist player on my blogpage.
Fun post, Jeff!
Blessings,
~Amy 🙂
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
I often enjoy a cable music channel called Soundscapes in the afternoon.. relaxing bend of Celtic instrumentals and quazi-classical music.
When I am in the car it presently is an eclectix mix of worship music, Chicago and Johnny Cash.
There is a track at the end of Tool’s 10,000 Days CD that is nothing more than digital wheezing. Amazing stuff . . .
I almost got excited, though. I saw the word “progressive” and thought you were going to admit to being a Dream Theater fan. Bummer . . .