Topic: Help me help Her (Read 16136 times)

Commodore · « **on:** 15 Apr 2008, 14:56 »

Hey there! My little sister (eleven going on twelve) has a birthday coming up in the next few weeks. She listens to Gretchen Wilson, Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, and Fountains of Wayne nigh exclusively, and I feel like I should use her upcoming birthday as an opportunity to show her that there is good music that won't appear on the radio.

So what I'm asking for are some suggestions of music that a twelve year old could get into that isn't so mainstream, a sort of 'starter indie' if you will. I feel it's my duty as an older brother to at least try and set her in the right direction.

Thanksmuchplz.

onewheelwizzard · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 15:10 »

The Beatles are always a good choice.

Christophe · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 15:19 »

Non-Serious Suggestion
ANAL CUNT LOALZ

Serious Suggestion
Weezer is the ultimate "starter indie" band. Go with that and see where she branches off from there.

Christophe · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 15:30 »

My little sister is seven years old, and is practically inundated with High School Musical/Miley Cyrus-style pop-pap.

It's too early, and yet too late, for me to "help" her. Is there really a need to? I get along with my older siblings just fine, and they don't listen to the music I listen to.

benji · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 15:41 »

I don't understand. Are you playing DJ for her party? Giving her some music as a gift?

I'll admit that I never listen to commercial radio, so my exposure to the artists you mention is limited. I know that two of them are pop-country singers, and two of them are, what? teen-angst pop-rockers sort of? Maybe she'd like some alt-country.

PS. I just realized that could come off as an insult of alt-country. That's not what I intended.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 15:59 »

As silly as an idea this is, I'll suggest you do The Beatles, too. I mean, you can't go wrong with "Twist and Shout" at a twelve year-old's birthday party.

I guess you could also try a couple of cuts off of the latest Apples in Stereo, but I really think there's not a whole lot you can do except let her mature and discover "good" music on her own, when the time comes.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 16:11 »

No, no. Not what I meant. I meant it is kind of a silly idea to try and make your twelve year-old sister listen to the music you like by playing it at her birthday party. The Beatles are fine by me.

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 16:11 »

Lightning Bolt

est · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 16:29 »

Guys, I really thought that he meant that he was going to buy a cd for her. Maybe more than one cd. People still buy cds as gifts!

Based on her existing tastes I second Weezer (power-pop-ish) and Feist, with an aim of somewhere a couple of months down the track saying "oh hey, you like Feist, here is this other band she is in called Broken Social Scene," as BSS is fairly accessible also.

But, basically any of the indie pop people who've been moderately popular would work. A lot of people seem to like Metric, for example. Also, Tegan and Sara.

What are some decent country artists?

Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 16:50 »

How 'bout the Decemberists?

Seriously, I have only just started trying to get my older sister into post-rock and some indie power pop bands and such. I've already corrupted by 13-year-old brother into listening to my music. My youngest brother doesn't care about music and the one older than him will always say that my music is crap because nova doesn't even think about playing it. He still thinks Soulja Boy is the greatest.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 16:55 »

If you want her to cry, sure. The Decemberists can be downright depressing.

sean · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 16:59 »

I say let the girl enjoy her birthday. If you really think it will be bad just go out with some friends during the party. Also, this is what headphones are for.

If you really are insistent, I say Broken Social Scene. They are fun and rather accessible, I believe.

a pack of wolves · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 17:09 »

Why is everyone so sure this music is for playing at the party? Like est, I presumed this was meant as a gift.

How about They Might Be Giants?

thehollow · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 17:28 »

Keep in mind that whatever it is should be music that works well in a party atmosphere. Ratatat is always fun for parties, and Weezer is a really good suggestion. Also, Beck.

orangepeas · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 17:37 »

yeah weezer is awesome. I once played Weezer for a 7 year old, she loved them. Stick to the first 2 albums though.

Joseph · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 18:14 »

Seven year olds should not be listening to Pinkerton.

onewheelwizzard · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 18:20 »

Try Asobi Seksu! They have a birthday-party vibe to them.

Nodaisho · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 18:59 »

Well, I am going to cast another vote for The Beatles as accessible rock that just about everyone likes and has influenced most modern bands, but otherwise, is there any of your music she likes? I haven't ever (to my knowledge) heard the first three listed, and I was unaware that Fountains of Wayne had more than one song, so I can't be much help there.

squawk · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 19:05 »

Hey look! An old thread also. It's still helpful.

But yeah, Beatles is good.

Commodore · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 19:24 »

it's for a gift, not for a party.

don't quite know where you guys got that idea, but yeah, good suggestions. I have a lot of Weezer already, that's a big maybe. I'll check out Wilco tomorrow.

Thanks for all the suggestions and links so far!

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 19:28 »

Quote from: est on 15 Apr 2008, 16:29

Feist, with an aim of somewhere a couple of months down the track saying "oh hey, you like Feist, here is this other band she is in called Broken Social Scene," as BSS is fairly accessible also.

Man, for a twelve year old into Avril Lavigne I have to seriously disagree with BSS becoming a fast favorite. Seems like a big leap to me.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #21 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 19:30 »

I'd have to agree. Perhaps Rilo Kiley would be better?

est · « **Reply #22 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 20:00 »

I was saying that she might like Feist on the strength that she also likes Michelle Branch, who I thought was Vanessa Carlton. Therefore, ignore that suggestion and go for something more upbeat with guitars. From the artists mentioned it seems like she likes power-pop, pop-punk and pop-country. Also angsty female vocals. Would Tegan & Sara fit the bill?

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #23 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 20:01 »

Oh yeah, Tegan & Sara is a prett good recomendation!

imonfire · « **Reply #24 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 20:13 »

Tegan & Sara and Metric would get my votes too.
From my experience kids really dig Jack Johnson. Also maybe the new chili peppers album? They have lots of radio hits off that so she's probably already heard them, plus its all around pretty popish and might get her to look into their previous stuff.
12 is a bit early to be turning her tastes though, she's got to get through junoir high before she'll stop loving angsty-cry-baby-relationship-bullcrap-"music"

october1983 · « **Reply #25 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 20:20 »

Quote from: n0t_r0bert_b0yle!! on 15 Apr 2008, 16:50

He still thinks Soulja Boy is the greatest.

Your brother knows where it;s fucking at.

jimbunny · « **Reply #26 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 20:51 »

I'll pipe up for Feist, too. ALTHOUGH, that very well may fail to grab her attention. She's not exactly spitting out hooks and power chords and fast tempos.

Perhaps Reggie and the Full Effect, then? The important thing, I think, is just to give her a name she hasn't heard before. The idea that there are artists beyond the scope of what the radio.

On the other hand, if you're already the music-snob older sibling who always turns their nose up at her choice in music, you may be sunk already. Be prepared to be ignored, in that case.

RobbieOC · « **Reply #27 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 20:57 »

Yeah, my sister often rejects bands I suggest merely because she thinks I'm being a snob, or condescending or something. She doesn't care if it's good music, she just doesn't like feeling judged because of what she listens to, and that's enough to make her dislike a band I have suggested (i.e. The Decemberists or The Weakerthans).

Maybe a mix CD would be more appropriate? There's a lot more options, and it shows that you put a lot of thought into it, also, which always scores points.

est · « **Reply #28 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 21:26 »

Yeah, a mix cd would probably be a good idea. You can pick the most upbeat songs from a bunch of different artists. Ignore "normal" mix rules and go for the single-ish songs on each album, as they are the most accessible and usually the most upbeat.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #29 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 23:19 »

PLAY THE PIXIES DOOLITTLE

If she doesn't like that then shrug and move on because man, nobody who will ever have good taste in music, ever, can dislike that album. I have known people with 7-10 year old younger siblings that rocked the fuck out to "Debaser".

squawk · « **Reply #30 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 23:33 »

I did that when I was 9! The dude was yelling! It was great!

Nodaisho · « **Reply #31 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 23:42 »

Quote from: imonfire on 15 Apr 2008, 20:13

12 is a bit early to be turning her tastes though, she's got to get through junoir high before she'll stop loving angsty-cry-baby-relationship-bullcrap-"music"

Never too early, I have been working not very hard on my brother's tastes, he likes Iron Maiden and Kansas so far. Probably going to go Judas Priest next, it is important to lay down a good foundation, so older music is good.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #32 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 00:00 »

Yeah, it's a popular but I think completely fictional concept that there's such a thing as being "too young to like "good" music". At 12, I was into Run-DMC and Dire Straits. By 13 my favorite album was Nothing's Shocking and I loved the Violent Femmes and the Cure. And I wasn't alone; I had classmates who were into Dead Milkmen, and actually the entire reason I heard Violent Femmes was that the most popular girl in school, captain of the cheerleading squad, played them on a field trip (she was dating the skater who got me into Dead Milkmen, in fact).

And this was all in like 1987-88, before being "weird" was considered cool.

tommydski · « **Reply #33 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 01:52 »

Everyone suggesting Weezer over Sloan needs to give their life some serious thought.

Yoeni · « **Reply #34 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 04:15 »

Quote from: zerodrone on 15 Apr 2008, 23:19

PLAY THE PIXIES DOOLITTLE

If she doesn't like that then shrug and move on because man, nobody who will ever have good taste in music, ever, can dislike that album. I have known people with 7-10 year old younger siblings that rocked the fuck out to "Debaser".

I second this. The Beatles may be a little too "old fashioned" for her, but who knows. You can't go wrong with Doolittle though.

StaedlerMars · « **Reply #35 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 05:05 »

Why is it suddenly so important to change people's musical opinion/taste?

People like what they like, and you like what you like. If they're not satisfied with their limited music collection, than they'll move on out of their own accord. Not everyone has the need to listen to a lot of music, music you deem 'good'.

First of all, she's a twelve year old, let her listen to the music her friends listen to. I don't think this is the 'wrong' direction.

Most of my friends don't listen to the music I listen to (even though most of it is what I think can be considered 'good' music) but I don't have this need to make them listen to the Pixies, or DFA 1979, or radiohead, or the flaming lips. I'll put it on when I choose what music I want to hear, and they'll put on their music when they want to hear it. We don't go around saying "hey, your musical taste sucks, you should listen to this". We live a fairly peaceful life.

Christophe · « **Reply #36 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 06:39 »

In my freshman year of high school, my classmate criticized me for being a Weezer fan and told me I should listen to moar metal.

Belligerent "hey, your musical taste sucks, you should listen to this" is shit, coming from anyone to anyone.

RE: Sloan- Way back when, I really liked that song "Rest of My Life". I have one of their albums from the Mediaf!ire thread, I should probably give it a listen so Tommy will like me more.

karl gambolputty... · « **Reply #37 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 08:06 »

Dressy Bessy's last couple of albums. No 12 year old Avril Lavigne fan could possibly resist Electrified.

benji · « **Reply #38 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 08:23 »

Quote from: StaedlerMars on 16 Apr 2008, 05:05

Why is it suddenly so important to change people's musical opinion/taste?

I don't think it's important to change people's opinion, but receiving music as a gift can be great. When I was young, family members would get me music they thought I would like. I learned a lot about music from that. My father and I still buy each other Jazz albums that we don't think the other has had a chance to listen to. Sharing the music you like with someone and letting them discover that they like it too is a great way to spend time together and to bond.

So the OP doesn't need to change his sister's taste in music. She might still like Avril Levine. But if he gives her a CD or a record and she learns that she also likes Fiest, or Weezer, or the Beatles, or whoever then that's a cool thing him to do for his sister. The trick is not being preachy about it. It's not "the music you listen to sucks, so listen to this instead." That just makes people think you're a snob. It's much better to just say "hey, I know you like so and so, so I thought maybe you'd like this band too."

nufan · « **Reply #39 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 08:33 »

Cartilage Head · « **Reply #40 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 08:48 »

Psh, I knew that was mainstream at 7.

Thrillho · « **Reply #41 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 08:56 »

Quote from: Commodore on 15 Apr 2008, 14:56

Fountains of Wayne

I fail to see the problem here.

Buttfranklin · « **Reply #42 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 08:57 »

I'm going to second what someone said above, and say get either Live it Out or Grow Up and Blow Away by Metric.

My own sister is an Avril Lavigne fan, I speak from experience :]

Actually, my own sister also loves Queen. Maybe you could try to get her a Greatest Hits by them. If you don't mind Queen, of course.

Broken_Drum · « **Reply #43 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 09:10 »

Moving onto Indie? Well it's not the best suggestion but you could try some "mainstream" indie. The Killers maybe? See where she goes from there.

tommydski · « **Reply #44 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 09:12 »

Quote from: TheLetterM on 16 Apr 2008, 06:39

RE: Sloan- Way back when, I really liked that song "Rest of My Life". I have one of their albums from the Mediaf!ire thread, I should probably give it a listen so Tommy will like me more.

Waaaaaaay back in 2003?

I actually like Weezer but I am bummed that they are still considered a worthwhile band considering how badly they fell off after the first couple of albums. While Rivers Cuomo went mad and became just about the biggest dickwad in music, Sloan were still putting out fantastic albums year in year out. Especially since the Canadian band were essentially dumped on their ass because Weezer had better videos.

Maybe it's my fault. I should take it with a grain of salt.

Thrillho · « **Reply #45 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 09:20 »

Well Tommy, I thought you'd know better than to call Rivers the biggest dickwad in music.

As for Weezer, I think they get by on the strength of their first couple of albums. It's something a lot of bands manage where even if what they release now is mediocre, their stellar early material buoys them up. Hell, Machine Head basically, if you ask the right people, did one great album, then four shit ones until making another good one last year. And they had a healthy career from that!

Buttfranklin · « **Reply #46 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 10:06 »

Just an addendum to my last post.

Someone that age is most likely to be willing to listen to something if it's popular/played on the radio. Besides the Beatles, they don't really count because your sister will probably react against them being "old people music."

Metric and Weezer get the most airplay of all the artists mentioned here (at least on 102.1 in Toronto, where I live), so they're probably the best bets. If, as you say, your sister doesn't like Weezer, then go with Metric. Personally, I think they're the better band, too.

imonfire · « **Reply #47 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 10:21 »

Quote from: zerodrone on 16 Apr 2008, 00:00

Yeah, it's a popular but I think completely fictional concept that there's such a thing as being "too young to like "good" music".

I agree. I just dont think you can expect a 12 year old to stop listening to shitty music until they've grown up a bit.

imagist42 · « **Reply #48 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 10:54 »

Quote from: shadowsworn on 16 Apr 2008, 10:06

Metric and Weezer get the most airplay of all the artists mentioned here (at least on 102.1 in Toronto, where I live), so they're probably the best bets. If, as you say, your sister doesn't like Weezer, then go with Metric. Personally, I think they're the better band, too.

I was going to say "I don't think Metric get nearly as much airplay outside of Canada as Feist," but then I realized it's been so long since I actually listened to the radio that I have no idea if that's true or not. It seems logical to me, at least.

Christophe · « **Reply #49 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 11:19 »

Quote from: tommydski on 16 Apr 2008, 09:12

Waaaaaaay back in 2003?

Yes. Strange that it's only five years, but I do consider that waaaaaaaay back.

It's odd being twenty.

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Author Topic: Help me help Her (Read 16136 times)

tommydski

Yoeni

tommydski