Music & Family
Among my chosen family is someone who has influenced my music taste in a big way giving me the fun hit of Kandy. This person and their spouse were my family and home away from home while I was stationed in Japan. They were also my tattoo artist and knitting teacher. Without Hazel and their spouse Wren I don't know how I would've made it through my last year there. They fed me, gave great conversation and had two incredibly cute Shiba Inus, Hachi and Kuma. Kuma was my favorite but don't tell Hachi.
KUMA HACHI
Due to the time difference I wasn't able to call to interview so I just sent them some questions. Below are their answers.
Musical experience?
My father put my craze in front of speakers as an infant. There has been music in my entire life. When I was little I used to ask my dad to play The White Album disk one by the Beatles all the time. Also Abby Road and Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Notable memories? He taught me how to use a record player including cleaning the disk to be played and the needle when I was maybe 6? He used to make day long playlists on a Betamax (for superior length and sound quality) and always asked for my help.
Sufficed to say my dad was extremely influential in my love for music.
The first concert was ZZTop
The Beatles are soothing, moody blues, Depeche Mode, Fascination st by The Cure. However, when I’m looking for music to help when I’m feeling a way, I put headphones on and hit shuffle with my complete collection and skip until something appropriate hits.
Cultural and political events? Hmm maybe the music finds me? Like over that past 10 months I’ve been discovering music that strikes a note. Like Uncle Sam Goddamn by Brother Ali which led me to seek out other protest tracks. Industrial has a way of being relevant currently like Pop Will Eat Itself Auslander I’m always thrilled to find music that has a quality political message
I don’t think my age has much of an impact on my music tastes other than to be ever more discerning in finding music that challenges norms. Keep it weird and I can tell when music is made by an Ai
How has music changed? Music was written and performed by people on a stage. Even early DJs has actual vinyl they’d spin and change what was spinning based on the responses of the crowd. As I try not to sound judge mental, music often feels very shallow when I hear something outstanding, I’m floored. Like Sleep Token has been a joy to discover.
Culturally? I’m an upper middle class white Gen X. Wee are well known for being lovers of music. Audiophiles.
Hey, Raine! The story behind the people you interviewed is so interesting! And the Beatles song that you embedded is fire, I love the Beatles! My favorite line from this entire interview is, "keep it weird and I can tell when music is made by Ai." I don't actually know if I have ever heard music made by Ai, maybe I have and just did not realize. I really liked reading your post, thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteHey Raine! Let me start off by saying that those Shiba Inus are so, so cute! My brother and his wife have one named Yuki, and she is absolutely adorable. Second of all, I love the music mentioned in this post!! The Cure is one of my favorite bands and I adore Depeche Mode. I've heard of Sleep Token because I have a few friends who enjoy their music, but haven't gotten around to listening to them myself.
ReplyDeleteRaine, I thought it was super cool you chose your family in japan to interview for this! Something that reallty stuck out to me was that ZZ top was their first concert. My 1st concert was actually ZZ Top too with my dad!! I was able to see them when i was in the 7th grade. How does your family feel about the passing of one of the band members? I also really like how they grew up listening to the beatles! You have to tell them they offer a course at converse all about the beatles haha!
ReplyDeleteYou truly are so fun to listen to/read about. Your stories are so fun and refreshing to hear. also, I love the cure, and I think I would get along with your friends. That could partly be because tattoo artists are some of the coolest individuals on the planet.
ReplyDeleteHiya Raine! I loved reading about your family away from home and their experiences. I do have families that aren’t my family. Needless to say, I think it’s beautiful that you are close to these people and got to learn about them. I think it’s interesting how much has changed from their time to ours, because similarly, my father had talked about vinyls and DJs when I asked about what music was like for him.
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