THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)
Fun Stuff => BAND => Topic started by: 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.
-
The Beatles are always a good choice.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Lightning Bolt
-
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?
-
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.
-
If you want her to cry, sure. The Decemberists can be downright depressing.
-
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.
-
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?
-
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.
-
yeah weezer is awesome. I once played Weezer for a 7 year old, she loved them. Stick to the first 2 albums though.
-
Seven year olds should not be listening to Pinkerton.
-
Try Asobi Seksu! They have a birthday-party vibe to them.
-
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.
-
Hey look! An old thread also. (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,13041.0.html) It's still helpful.
But yeah, Beatles is good.
-
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!
-
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.
-
I'd have to agree. Perhaps Rilo Kiley would be better?
-
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?
-
Oh yeah, Tegan & Sara is a prett good recomendation!
-
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"
-
He still thinks Soulja Boy is the greatest.
Your brother knows where it;s fucking at.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 did that when I was 9! The dude was yelling! It was great!
-
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.
-
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.
-
Everyone suggesting Weezer over Sloan needs to give their life some serious thought.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Dressy Bessy's last couple of albums. No 12 year old Avril Lavigne fan could possibly resist Electrified.
-
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."
-
(http://therisingstorm.net/audio/troutmaskreplica.jpg)
-
Psh, I knew that was mainstream at 7.
-
Fountains of Wayne
I fail to see the problem here.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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? :wink:
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.
-
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!
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Waaaaaaay back in 2003? :wink:
Yes. Strange that it's only five years, but I do consider that waaaaaaaay back.
It's odd being twenty.
-
Everyone suggesting Weezer over Sloan needs to give their life some serious thought.
TRUE THAT.
Don't feel too bad for Sloan, though. They've sold more records, and certainly sell out larger venues, than Weezer - they just do it in Canada instead of the States or the UK.
THAT SAID, one must keep in mind that Sloan did have a "down time" - Pretty Together and Action Pact were quite unspectacular coming off the string of awesome they had recorded, especially since the immediately prior album was Between the Bridges, their best balls-out rocker IMO.
The new one is fucking fantastic, though, so here's to 10 more years of Sloan. HFXNSHC.
-
I liked Action Pact. I wanted to hate it because they were, for want of a better phrase, doing it wrong. It was an obvious ploy for mainstream (read: US) acceptance. They recorded in California with a big name producer and didn't include any Andrew Scott songs (heresy!) but when the album comes up on my iPod I still tap my feet. The songs are still there. Pretty Together wasn't amazing but it was okay. Certainly nothing as bad as Make Believe. Never Hear the End of It had some genuine pap but if you cut those out there was still a great album left. The Pentland songs in particular on that record were on the shitty end of average.
Incidentally, there is a new Sloan record on the way but I'm going to talk about it here (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,18676.msg643084.html#msg643084) instead because I've derailed this thread enough.
Well Tommy, I thought you'd know better than to call Rivers the biggest dickwad in music.
He is the biggest dickwad in music. The worst reports you've heard about him scratch the surface. The man is an absolute tit.
Edit - Sorry to be pedantic but Sloan never sold anything like the same number of records as Weezer.
-
Another thought. If there are any cool local bands that are getting a lot of hype, it could be fun to go to one of their shows together (if you're the kind of siblings that do these things together). If she likes them, recommend some other bands that have similar sounds. This is how I've introduced some friends to other things.
-
Music can be appreciated at any age, so I think introducing a young person to something thats under the radar enough to pique their interest is a good idea. Music has paid a big part of my life, and that's mostly because my dad was always familiarizing me with "other" music when I was young. The Pixies were indeed my favorite band from 5-8th grade. Some people really identify with music, and giving a young girl that exposure could be good! There's no harm in trying..
-
Edit - Sorry to be pedantic but Sloan never sold anything like the same number of records as Weezer.
I did some research and it looks like you are right. Weezer has miraculously managed to sell 8+ million albums, and the only numbers I could get for Sloan indicated they've sold somewhere around 3 million.
That is so depressing. "Tired of Sex" and "El Scorcho" are the only Weezer songs that anyone ever needs to hear, and I can't believe their fans still give them a free pass. I've even heard lots of people saying the new single is "amazing" and "a return to the Blue album". Ugh.
-
No one really knows why they still give Weezer the benefit of the doubt. That's what makes it so consternating. Pinkerton is probably one of my favorite albums, but the rest of their catalogue is better conveyed if you make your own mixes of the songs that don't suck. Which I have done X_X. But it's not like Weezer are the only band with fans who still pay attention for no goddamn reason. Even if they haven't liked the last 3 albums. But they still read the website newsfeed on occasion.
-
well, i dont know too much about indie music(read nearly nothing), but if she likes girl singers and light poppy stuff, and you want her checking out older more listenable bands, try Fleetwood Mac.
also, ben harper?
-
Why are you trying to argue that your bands have any more merit than Avril Lavigne? That's just stupid. Let her listen to whatever she wants.
-
For some reason I have a really hard time telling who is singing in Sloan. I can usually recognize Andrew's earlier stuff - I'm thinking specifically of "People of the Sky", one of my favourite songs of theirs. And I know Jay's voice when I hear it because I usually don't like it. But telling the difference between Patrick and Chris is tough for some reason for me. I know "Money City Maniacs" is Patrick, and it's probably the awesomest thing on Navy Blues. I'm pretty totally clueless as to who wrote what on Between the Bridges, which is sad since it's their best album. Same with Never Hear the End of It, I can hear Jay in his 2 songs but either Andrew's singing style or his voice have changed.