10 music discoveries of 2010

Since this is my first post for Before I Sleep, I thought it might be appropriate to make it both slightly personal and extremely revealing about my musical inspirations. It is my most memorable personal music discoveries of 2010 and where I was when I discovered them.

Discovery number 1 – My favorite grunge era bands have become my preferred guilty pleasure.

This was discovered on one of many grueling days in the office when I resorted to listening to an ever-growing Spotify playlist I made called grugealunge. The playlist was first formed when I watched an old favorite film from the early 90s grunge era called Singles. Upon watching the film I realized that I now understand the relationship issues experienced by 20-something characters in the film better than I had at the age of 12. More importantly, I discovered that the emotional angst in the film’s grunge music soundtrack is a timeless accompaniment for this topic of concern and should be used occasionally (or regularly) to up the level of emotional stimulation in your day. Pearl Jam’s “State of Love and Trust” is a particularly well-played track on this playlist. The music has become a guilty pleasure because I am not discovering anything new about it, I am just entertained by it in an emotional and nostalgic sense.

Discovery number 2 – I officially like indie rock.

Being Canadian, a true supporter of most new creative musical movements and historically tied to rock music in one way or another, I was always concerned about my inability to grab onto the indie rock movement with any real enthusiasm. With professional peer pressure building around me and some seriously good albums out this year I am officially late to the train…. but I am on the train. The main inspiration came from the first two tracks on Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs. Apologies if it is an obvious choice but I suppose I still have my indie rock training wheels on.

Discovery number 3 – Dam Funk is the future soundtrack to a historically inaccurate retrospective of my last two years in highschool.

I first discovered Dam Funk at a Stones Throw label showcase at WMC in Miami in 2008 where he was DJing. The realization of how great he is however, fully sunk in when I played  “Brookside Park” to my dear friend and favorite 90s mixtape making buddy last summer. It spoke so strongly to our past obsession with old school hip hop and funk on so many lovely and progressive levels that few words were exchanged, only looks of wonder and the sense that we had come full circle and were finally home.

Discovery number 4 – Janelle Monae.

I was writing a review of her album and was feeling the need to take on a more critical perspective due to the overwhelming number of amazing reviews she was getting. It was tough because the album is actually just great. In the end I fell for her charm as a creative force to be reckoned with in a pop world where skin is more often used to gain fans than any sort of unique or elevated musical exploration of new and past sounds. I also just love that she wears a little tuxedo and has cool hair.

Discovery number 5 – I am finally obsessing over a boy band for the first time and their name is Infantree.

OK they aren’t really a boy band because they don’t dance, they play their own instruments and they write their own songs. I assume a combination of any two of those concepts together cancel out the label of ‘boy band’. Since they are absolutely adorable and much younger than I, I feel like there is another level to my fan support of this group. I discovered them playing the very soulful “Mourning Glory” at the Vapor Records showcase at SXSW in 2010.

Discovery number 6 – Stevie Wonder remains the best performer I have ever seen.

I went to see Stevie Wonder this summer at an overly commercial, overly crowded festival in Hyde Park with so many sponsors involved that you could come out of the port-a-potties with a brand stamped on your ass if you weren’t careful. Well, despite standing about a mile from the stage and having to pay ridiculous amounts for a beer, he made me feel once again as if I was part of a special and small tuned in group that were the only people in the world that get this access to his lovely and personal jokes, little stories and touching dedications to the late and great MJ. The first time I saw him was at an annual Stevie Wonder tribute party held in New York where he showed up and improvized on the mic for about an hour before proceeding to join the party and chat with all the people there. I was too scared to go say hi (on a list of my biggest regrets in life that will not be shared on this blog).

Discovery number 7 – I need to bite my tongue when X-Factor is on.

After delivering a manifesto of hatred for the British pop talent show to two of my friends that tried to get me to watch The X-Factor finals with them, I ended up having to go and watch it anyways. Although I still found the whole show distressing, I also truly felt bad for being hard on my dear friends. It isn’t nice and it is not necessary. People shouldn’t  feel bad for enjoying a bit of trash.

Discovery number 8 – I miss the sounds of New York more than ever when there is a dance floor involved.

Electronic music in the UK is amazing. I have experienced some wonderful dance parties here. I was also enchanted by the techno in Berlin and I love a good twirl in Casa de Musica in Havana. All that being said, and knowing this is a highly personal feeling, New York throws the dance parties that make me want to groove. It is something about the ease with which New York DJs and club crowds can go through Latin music, soulful house, hip hop and disco in one night that makes you feel the history of music in New York as this amazing substance that you want to inhale and have running right down through your body into your own two happy feet. I kind of get the same feeling when I hear a drum n bass track thrown in for nostalgic reasons on a packed UK dance floor. I guess this just makes me a bit of beat junkie/ history nerd… but I think this alludes to another blog post all together.

Discovery number 9 – I am addicted to summer music festivals.

For many years I was going to small gigs only. After 2 years in a row of Lollapalooza as my first ‘cool’ concert going experiences, then the disappointment of it ending its tour, I really just lost interest in the big production. To be honest, I still probably prefer numerous intimate shows to joining the masses at the year’s best (and longest) lineup of cool acts wherever that may be. At the same time, I am truly and likely only briefly, obsessed with the big hot lineups and the experiences they provide. Going to a festival with 8+ bands you want to see is such a treat that while I am energized and carefree enough to dedicate 3 days to it I feel that I should.  Seeing the lists and the different combinations of performers, the fun of discovering a new city or location and the fun of getting the right group together for days of mayhem are all just intriguing concepts. Whatever it is that caught my attention, I am hooked.

Discovery number 10 – As annoying as the concept may be, there can never be too many music blogs.

With my new job as an editor for a popular music company website, I was forced to dive deep into the world of popular music trends. In doing so I am looking at music blogs, the music business and consumer habits in a way I never had before. There is so much hype about social networks and peer consumption sharing trends becoming the new marketing tool for the next generation of e-commerce sites. It becomes clear to me that anyone with an inspired interest in music should share what they think in any way they can. The endless possibilities of global music dissemination that has been made possible by the big switch to digital will not be fully realized without a strong combination of experts, semi-experts and users/ buyers filling our spaces for media consumption. While I love the idea of a truly democratic space where peers drive one another’s music discoveries, we should be careful what we see as democratic. Media buying power will continue to drive the purchasing through consumer incentives and discounts that indie up and comers cannot afford to invest in.  Again… this is another topic meant for a lengthier discussion but the bottom line is, if you have an opinion and the time, share it with the world in any way you can.

I think that may be the most important discoveries this year but I will certainly continue the post if I think of any more.