January 16, 2009 12:43 PM
Indie music - the Avett Brothers
Okay, I am after all and aging hippie with music like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John - above all, of course, the Beatles - and so many more, all etched into the most tenacious parts of my memory banks. Tons of 50s, 60s, 70s rock and roll. While i very rarely listen to it anymore, all it takes is an opening bar to bring a whole song alive in my mind like it was just yesterday. There is nothing like the music of our youth.
Add in a heavy layer of classical music - which I began exploring in my 20s and continue today.
A thin layer of Christian music - the evangelical praise music which nurtured me and secured my emotions in the church when I was a baby Christian, followed by a rich layer of hymns - which I love far, far more.
From 1990 to 2000 I stopped listening to popular music, so I don't know much about that era. But oh, how glad I am that when my children grew up they started music explorations of their own and were generous enough to share with their old mama.
They send me YouTubes of stuff they love - and Zach burns CDs for me which are filled with the most interesting music. He is really into Indie music and has turned me on to so many interesting artists. As a writer with the freedom to communicate on my own terms, I am grateful to see how independent artists are also able to reach so many people.
Some of the music is quirky, but it's so unique - leading me to believe that the Indie in Indie Music should mean not only Independent, but also Individual.
I am blessed that my kids gravitate toward music that is interesting and intelligent rather than raunchy or exploitative. Parents, if you have teenagers, I want to encourage you to honor your teens' yearning to find their own musical expression - remember how important music was to you. For better or worse, music is part of the cultural expression of each generation and speaks to their particular struggles in a way that we - as part of other generations - may not be able to understand.
Let go of any idea that you might have about your children listening only to Christian music the rest of their lives - that kind of rigidity can lead to rebellion. Instead, show an interest in what they're listening to - ask them to share YouTubes, burn a CD for you or play their MP3 player in the car. Don't be rigid in
From time to time, I share something one of my kids has shared with me - here's something from the last CD Zach burned. It's called Murder in the City, but it's really about family love:
More about the Avett Brothers at their website.
Posted in Family, Music, My life, Teens and Tweens | Permalink
Comments
Thanks for reminding me. My kids mostly listen to Christian music, but have been exposed all their lives to all sorts of music.
Posted by: Kayte | January 16, 2009 2:14 PM
Have you ever checked out pandora.com or slacker.com?
Posted by: thia | January 16, 2009 3:37 PM
I LOVE these guys! One of my former students heard them last fall in Charlottesville with the Drive-By Truckers (another group for you to check out, Barbara, especially "Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife"), and said it was the best concert he'd ever seen. This from a mid-20's music lover who sees a lot of concerts.
Posted by: Kalynne Pudner | January 17, 2009 7:30 PM
