New music either comes from listening to KEXP or reading through the music blogs I keep up with as well as the PR emails I receive. When I submitted more reviews to the blog sites I wrote for previously, my music discovery then became a task and turned my recreational listening into a hideaway. I realized that my writing should focus on live show reviews, and I found my hunger for music new( and old) to be more voracious than ever. If I’m exercising( typically martial arts of some type), I might use that as a time to check out a new record or an archived KEXP broadcast. I listen while I’m cooking, but my cooking soundtrack is more a time for familiarity or themed listening that is connected to what I’m making at that time.

I know I share this experience. There is metal band I respect greatly called Bell Witch as well as an instrumental rock band called Pelican. About 7 years ago this summer, I had a nervous breakdown, but Mirror Reaper by Bell Witch and a record I’m forgetting the name of from Pelican were the only things that would help me sleep. I’ve not yet revisited any of Mirror Reaper and the few times I’ve heard material from the Pelican record, I feel almost entranced or hyper aware. A more positive or affectionate association would be the music by my friend’s band, Maafa. I flew to New York specifically to see them play in August a few years ago and it has made their songs feel like summer to me.

@Laura Lasser That is so awesome! I’ve never met him but I took photos when he played with Pelican once as well as with another project he had called Intrcptr. Mirror Reaper from Bell Witch is essentially one song, much like a classical piece with various movements. They’re an impressive duo and have taken their composition further by collaborating with a folk singer who performs under the name Aerial Ruin in a separate project called Stygian Bough. All heavy and textural music that has plenty to feel contained in it.

For me, it was an older cousin. We have an 8 year age gap and now as adults have made a point to get out to shows together. There was a particularly satisfying full circle moment recently when Green Day, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Rancid toured together. He introduced me to both Rancid and Green Day when I was too young to understand the words, but definitely enjoyed the sound. Standing in a football stadium next to each other some twenty years later and hearing songs that defined his time in college/my time in middle school was special.

@Deanna Hauck it is such a fun way to share quality time with family. I’m still bummed we missed the Linda Linda’s! Glad to hear you were able to enjoy that tour as well!

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing