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| Don’t let the wild costumes fool you. You can listen to music by Chappell Roan — seen here performing last week at Lollapalooza — while weeding in your yard in your quiet suburban neighborhood. (Anthony Vazquez, for the Sun-Times) |
New music enters your life in all sorts of ways. On the radio. Wafting through an open window.
Regular contact with young people helps. When my boys were at home, I tried to take note of what they were listening to — too many self-absorbed dads force their own tastes on their offspring; it never occurs to them to pay attention to what their kids are playing instead.
The problem in is finding new music for a person who is, umm, not exactly new themselves is inability to relate — most songs seem aimed at 15-year-olds, about parties and dancing and life-shattering heartbreak.
You have to look for points of commonality. Which is how we met introspective tunesmith Josienne Clarke last January, after Apple Music served up her song "Chicago" and its enigmatic line, "It's not Chicago's fault that no one came to see me play."
I tracked her down to her home on the coast of Scotland. She was very candid.
Last week, a flat cardboard package arrived in the mail, a method of music transmission I don't experience much lately — sent by the artist, from her home on Isle of Bute, for 20 pounds, 45 pence —$26 US.
Inside was a record album. Vinyl, which is back, big time. I do have a turntable and figured I'd drag an amp out of the basement and hook them up. Still, that would take effort. Then I paused, thought and plugged the name of the album, "Parenthesis. I" into Apple Music. Voila.
It took several listens, but I liked her lack of cliche. The opening song, "Friendly Teeth," claims, "I want a truth so strong, it comes right up and bites you on the shoulder with its friendly teeth." Not a tired image, at least. Though I would have had that truth bite you in the ass — more emphatic — I suppose a singer can choose what part of her anatomy gets bitten.
While I tend to focus on the lyrics, several songs on the album had such a smooth vibe, part Bjork, part Sade, that I really didn't care what she was saying.
I was touched Clarke would go to the trouble of going to the post office and spend 20 pounds, 45p. But that isn't why I'm writing this.
I had a thought I don't think I've seen spelled out before — as you grow older, you really ought to make an effort to seek out new music, to try not to be a person whose entire playlist is 45 years old.
For instance. Friday morning I heard the name Chappell Roan for the first time: WBBM reporting on Lollapalooza. Though what I heard was "chaperone." Then at dinner, my wife and I were talking about the day's news, the singers name came up again, and I announced, "Let's give her a listen right now."
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good advice. you're really fortunate when it goes both ways and your grown children listen to led Zeppelin and you listen to childish Gambino in the car
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read, Roan is a pro-Hamas idiot!
ReplyDeleteI don't let politics interfere with talent. Sinatra went from an FDR liberal as a youngster to a staunch Republican as he got older, but I still loved the man and his music.
DeleteYou got me right in the ass, Mr. S. I don't have to try not to be a person whose entire playlist is 45 years old. I already am. In fact, the NEWEST songs on my playlist are 40-45 years old. .
Why are there so many successful nostalgia and tribute and cover bands that attract large and enthusiastic audiences? Traditional, nostalgic, old-fashioned Boomer fuddy-duddies...like me. Lots of us out there.
The other night, some snarky guy on Facebook asked "What's your favorite summer song?" And he listed six names, none of whom I had ever heard of, including Chappell Roan. I made fun of his list, and he called me names, and said I need to give them a chance. I thought he was a twentysomething. He was 41. When you're in a pissing contest about music with somebody who was born when you were already 35, it's time to walk away from the tree.
Didn't even know there were still summer songs anymore. The 50s and 60s and 70s had them. Hearing them really takes you back, and some of them are even mushy and sad. Which is why Bob Greene wrote about summer songs once.
So, yeah, you nailed me, Mr. S. I got heavily into classical and jazz in my early 30s (late 70s), and then the music of the 30s and 40s, and I just tuned out all the 80s music...and everything that followed. No kids or grandkids to talk me into doing otherwise. Sirius and Pandora are godsends. I am what I am
And you're an anti-Hamas idiot. Two idiots don't make a smart person, as you often demonstrate.
DeleteThe original draft mentioned Bob Greene — in 2008, one of his "Music died in 1964" columns inspired me to ask readers to suggest current love songs — they offered up some great ones, like "Walk Away" by Ben Harper. Trying not to be locked in the past, like Greene, is a value of mine. If it helps, Grizz, I was talking to my older son and his wife last night, and they both mentioned you, by name specifically, as their favorite commenter. So good on you for that.
DeleteGoddamn! SERIOUSLY? Guess they know the talent in the room when they see it [smirk]. Was told very early on that I could write. My highest SAT score was the writing sample. Themes in high school were a snap. I
DeleteGraduated from J-school at NIU, and was a reporter and feature writer for the paper. But took a hard left turn and became a radical and a hippie, and made some big-time mistakes. When you try to beat the system by sitting on your ass, the only one you beat is yourself.
Lucked into a job at the CDN/Sun-Times in '76, but instead of trying to work my way into features, I drank and doped and chased women. Peed next to Royko at the Goat. My one claim to fame. Having a back-stabbing boss didn't help, either. My cup of coffee at the paper was just that...short and sweet. The next 35 years, working in other fields, were not very fruitful ones.
Have done freelancing and proofreading and copy editing and ghostwriting, but nothing really major. Did assist a Marine combat veteran, a decade ago, in a book about his Iwo Jima experiences. Being a WWII buff really helped me out that time. And then one day...he died.
I still like to believe that if I'd wised up in my early 30s, Mr. S, I had the skills to have possibly gotten somewhere. Not necessarily in Chicago. Somewhere with less snow and cold. I coulda been a contender...maybe even been another you. Or, God forbid, maybe another Bob Greene.
Thanks muchly for the heads-up on the kudos. They blew me away. Hate to use that overused term..."jaw-dropping"...but mine really did. I kid you not. Thanks.
Believe me, I was surprised too — not that they like you, you've got style. But that they occasionally read the thing. I had no idea, and certainly didn't ask. It just came up.
DeleteJust want to echo Neil's son and wife, Grizz is far and away THE MAN among the devoted in this space. Grizz, I was right behind you, Journalism NIU, class of 1973. Ditto on the doping and chasing (skipped the drinking).
DeleteSinatra's political change didn't make him a bigot. Roan is an anti-Semitic pro-Hamas moron!
DeleteYou've either got or you haven't got style.
DeleteIf you got it, you stand out a mile...
(Frank Sinatra, 1964)
Second biggest compliment I've ever been paid.
DeleteThe first? When people on Long Island thought I was an Italian.
From Brooklyn.
I turn 77 two weeks from today.
DeleteToday's EGD is my first birthday present.
And it's priceless. Mucho apreciado.
Chappel Roan is a current favorite and I do have my own Gen Z kids to thank for introducing me and having her Good Luck Babe on repeat. Her crowds at Lalapalooza were insanely large ( look at the pictures of the crowds if you haven’t yet seen them. It will take your breath away) . Especially if you take a look at the published event line ups. When they were created a few months ago no one expected her to be a headliner. She’s in the “small print” list of artists.
ReplyDeleteJosienne Clarke: pretty sweet sound. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThursday the southbound Red Line at noon was packed with gals in tiny skirts, illustrated flesh and sparkly pink cowgirl headgear. I later learned the hats were for Chappell. Don't know the significance but all were in a party mood. Prompted me down to Michigan Ave Saturday night to watch the Lollapaloozers... The self expression was off the chain. Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteAh. Thank you. I somehow became curious when I saw clips of the huge crowds cheering her on Twitter. So although I am 80, I started searching her on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI still didn't get her. Then I came across her Tiny Desk performance, where she let gown her hair, so to speak (she admitted it was a wig and was hot). That was a great introduction.
I only wish I could have been open to listening to music of the younger generation, when I was younger..
It is never too late!
ReplyDeleteI’m a professional musician who’s a bit older than you. I’ve been saying for many years that there’s plenty of interesting new music out there that’s worthy of attention. Most of it, though, is from creators who are neither well known nor particularly popular. They don’t get booked at Lolla. They may not even make enough in the music biz to be able to tour on a regular basis. If you’re lucky you’ll catch them in a small club somewhere. Heck, some of them are even from the Chicago area.The things that make their music interesting and worth exploring are the same things that keep them from being wildly popular with the masses. They may not be particularly physically attractive or wear comic book costumes (both of which seem to be necessary for pop stardom or even pop awareness), but they also don’t need prerecorded backing tracks for a live performance because of having great compositions and performance skills.
ReplyDeleteAnyone genuinely interested in discovering new music owes it to themself to explore independent artists on the streaming platforms and in the small, local clubs and concert venues.
100%
ReplyDeleteOn the whole traveling to Spain sounds like more fun.
ReplyDeleteI 'm constantly reminded of how out of touch with the now my musical taste is. Record's I've worn out were recorded and printed 60 years ago. Band's I enjoy have broken up and re-toured countless times. Very few have their original members all together, let alone alive.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know you can still find new music... perhaps i owe it to myself to throw a new record on the turntable...
Sigh...more advice to us oldsters to behave differently (and lift weights) if we want to be cool and relevant. Who can keep up with all the new artists? I don't enjoy most hiphop or all the droopy ballads. Give me some Elle King or old Bob Seger. Maybe Dua Lipa.
ReplyDeleteWho said anything about being cool and relevant? Probably a lost cause for most of us at this point. It’s about enjoying new things. I don’t just reread books I enjoyed when I was younger, I don’t watch only movies I’ve seen before, so why would I restrict myself to music from decades ago (much as I love it)?
DeleteCoey
I agree with you, but I took Neil's column as a suggestion even though "some" tend to look down on us if we choose to still stick with our oldies. Nonetheless, I sometimes feel like my folks did in the early '60s when the Beatles came into our world!!!!! My parents chose to stick with their oldies, which I have come to love in my older age. Maybe the "youngsters" in my life will eventually come to like and appreciate the now "oldies" from my youth! Different strokes motivate different folks! IMO, all is good as long as we remember to move while we're listening...helps the joints!
DeleteI think a lot of youngsters DO appreciate our oldies. I went to a wedding this past weekend of a couple in their late 20s. Most of the music could have been played at my own wedding.
DeleteCoey
I read the Sun Times article about Roan at Lolla and streamed her music to check her out. Her music is incredibly catchy, danceable, and incorporates humor and inclusiveness in an engaging, grounded and positive manner. Good music is good music regardless of age and I'm rooting for her to keep putting out great music. It will be interesting to see what the political Right does when they figure out that one of the most popular young women in music is celebrating LTGB life for her fans. Something tells me they won't embrace here with unconditional love.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that Lollapalooza is the place to find good music popular music. Yes, not necessarily good.
ReplyDeleteThe way I always like to learn about new music is from other people, not just my kids, other people's kids and other people like you. Neil, thank you for this because I don't think I would have accidentally stumbled upon it. Having two boys who had no interest in Lollapalooza this year after having gone several times in the past when the majority of the artists were rappers, I don't know. Maybe my kids just grew out of it. But thanks again. Good call
Give me Bach and Mozart any time.
ReplyDeleteBingo. And Chopin. And Satie. We shall not see their like again.
DeleteIt's not either/or. Your response is like saying why should I eat bread when there's apples.
DeleteRoan Chappel has not mentioned Mama's. She doesn't post about Hamas or Palestine on her social media. She does mention Palestine in her concerts. She is for freedom.
Deletelisten to clark st. he knows
DeleteGrizz, try "Mistakes" by Lake Street Dive" newer but with a classic tone.
DeleteI like to listen to college radio to hear new stuff. Loyola, Northwestern, eastern Illinois, college of dupage. And then Shazam the songs.
ReplyDeleteFrancis
Through the years, WXRT was the place to hear new music along with old favorites, but recommendations from friends, Pandora and UTube have worked for me. Roan has a nice voice and interesting lyrics but a small library. Time will tell if she has legs or if she flame out. Her Tiny Desk set showed she is good live, unlike so many younger acts that SNL has featured. Neil, your sons have good taste, Grizz is a big reason to visit the site every god damn day.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the introduction to Roan. I spent much of Monday listening to her on Spotify as I completed household chores. A few years your senior, I try to break out of the rut of listening to 60's and 70's music with varying degrees of success -- Eilish, Beyonce, Carlisle definitely make the cut while Swift not so much. I will now add Roan to my list. Yes, your sons are spot on about Grizz.
ReplyDeleteI'm late to this thread but still wanted to post this. Thank you for the heads up on this remarkable singer. I agree with you 100%. I hadn't heard of Chappell Roan until Lala came to town and didn't listen to her music until this column. If you haven't seen her on NPR's Little Desk Concert, check it out. She and her band are amazing! Judy
ReplyDelete