Pick 10 artists that you love before reading the questions.
(in no particular order)
- Duncan Sheik.
- Gentle Giants.
- Space Opera.
- Sufjan Stevens.
- Britney Spears.
- Mumford and Sons.
- Animal Collective.
- Dntel.
- eDIT.
- Imogen Heap.
What is your favorite song of 8?
Umbrella. :) “You can turn the city upside down like an umbrella… but it won’t… keep you dry…”
What kind of impact has 1 left on your life?
Wow! What a good question for Duncan. When I was an 8th graders, I went through this period of depression due to a stupid break up. I was “kind of” dating this girl, and one day she just stopped talking to me. Looking back, it was a lot less dramatic than I made it out to be. However, I was a big fan of Spring Awakening at the time, so I listened to it every day. The tone of it, of course, was pretty dark, and it fit my mood. But, it wasn’t really fulfilling the musical needs I had at the time. So, I went to see if Sheik had any other musicals out that could better speak to my situation. I found, to my surprise, that he is also a pop/rock artist. I listened to “She Runs Away” and “In the Absence of Sun”: I was hooked. I listened to every album eery day for almost a year, I think. He just made a huge difference in my life and helped me work through a lot of tough stuff even though the problems were just 8th grader problems. haha. I will have a similar story for Imogen Heap later, I’m sure.
What are your favorite lyrics of 5?
This requires a LITTLE back story. So, I didn’t get into Brit until Blackout came around. Then, of course, I loved Circus as well. But, when Femme Fatale was released, I had a crush on the very first song: “Keep on Dancing till the World Ends”.
And, that is the reason she makes my list. Those lyrics really impacted me psychologically, and made me realize that it even goes all the way back to Samurai times. They always preached in the Code: “Live Each day as if it was your last.”
How many times have you seen 4 live?
Never had the pleasure. Sufjan is a recent acquisition in my music loves. In fact, he IS the newest. Not even 7 days old. I had heard Steven’s music a lot when I was younger, but I always dismissed his albums as being good old folk singer-songwriter. However, when I found a youtube video of his newest album, “Age of ADZ”, I realized the genius. I suggest every to check out “I want to be Well”.
What is your favorite song by 7?
“My Girls.”
Is there any song by 3 that makes you sad?
YES! I get chills just thinking about “Singers and Sailors/Father”. PLEASE check out this band. Such incredible music, and haunting vocal lines that make you want to crawl in a hole and blissfully exist.
What is your favorite song by 9?
Well, eDIT doesn’t write music on his own. He’s mostly in the Glitch Mob or produces remixes, BUT he does write a little. Personally, though, I like Straight Heat. Good glitch hop music makes me really happy! I can thank Mitch Grassi for his impact on my musical tastes here. haha.
When did you first get into 2?
I was searching for music by Space Opera and bands like them. I came across a four voice rock fugue by Gentle Giants. And, I went berserk! It was about 3 months ago that I first heard it. Then, a couple of months later, I listened to all the music they had, and now it’s in my favorite rep. You’ll find that my “favorites” can generally be new music as well as old music. As a freshman in college, music tastes have a grand opportunity to expand.
How did you get into 6?
I listened to Mumford and Sons WAY before anybody even knew about them. I heard their EP a million years ago. (2008?) I was either a Freshman or Sophomore. And, suddenly, in 2010, the album came out and everybody was talking about them… and I was like.. “wait.. you heard the EP too?” and they were like “No! This awesome album just came out!” and I was like… WHAT??!!! They have an album now?!?! And they were like.. “yeah… this is the first time I’ve heard them…” And I was like.. “I’m REALLY A HIPSTER!!!” :D haha.
What is your favorite song by 4?
“I want to be Well”.
How many times have you seen 9 live?
Again, I… I don’t ever see artists live. haha. I’ve been to one “concert” in my life, and it was for Elton John and it was because my mother made me go. Yes, with my parents.
I dunno why I never went… Not really sure.
What is a good memory concerning 10?
Ah! Finally, Imogen story. So, Imogen Heap was a favorite of mine to listen to while I was dating this girl in 8th grade (you’ll remember her from the story I told above). Well, after we broke up, I still had really strong emotional connections to her (you have NO idea what happened during this relationship. It was like all the teenagery crap you could EVER think of doing culminated in destroying my psyche. It took Laurel Hoisager and Meghann Moore (two of my best friends) more than two years to snap me out of the funk I was in. To this day, Heap’s “Speak for Yourself” album can make me bawl endlessly from when I turn it on to when I turn it off.
Is there a song by 8 that makes you sad?
“Anyone, Anywhere”. .. <How can I love you if you don’t love yourself…>
What is your favorite song of 1?
Probably “Days go By”. or “Genius”.
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