Setting the tempo...the musical expectation

Ideological Snapshot...musical exploration. Complacency.

Whenever we meet someone new there is an initial feeling-out period; an awkward conversation, searching for common ground, lifestyle similarities, mutual friends, acquaintances or experiences, anything really. Relief is instant, like a charge of adrenaline pulsing through the bloodstream the moment that the link is established, something to latch on to materializes. Something to develop, something to carry, something to explore what may most likely be a superficial conversation or perhaps, an inroad; a unique opening to what might truly be one of life's most limited gifts, a kindred spirit.

For us, musical interest is the most immediate and influential indicator of whether or not we will ever be more than awkward acquaintances, a friendly passerby or emerging friends. Life would be so much easier if this discovery didn't take so long to...discover. Recently we have been spending more time with one of our childrens' friend's parents. In astute fascination we have explored topics that range from shooting guns and hunting to more profoundly uninteresting topics like which is better: Applebees (I had to look up how to spell that just now) or Ruby Tuesday. Or, the age old quandary, Natural Ice or Budweiser. I can't remember how many times I asked that question. Once. Just when I was beginning to think that we exhausted the search for commonality outside of children that enjoy each others' company, we broached the topic of music. The mother stated emphatically that she is a big music buff, "...that's my thing, music". Instantly we perked up, we engaged, with excitement...finally a topic worth exploring. I immediately jump into it, like an eager teenager skinny dipping for the first time. I ripped off my shorts, grabbed that lady by the hand and jumped right into the very shallow end. 

But...since apparently today we're talking in analogies, why not a drug analogy...like a heroin junkie that just snorted powdered Tide... with Bleach....I was caught in a momentary seizure before death. White foam breached the corners of my constricted mouth. My heart stopped as she told me how the song Tootsee Roll by the 69Boyz was her absolute favorite...

Fortunately, we are versed in this type of espionage. As I constricted and convulsed, WideEyes jumped in with a stuttered, "Yeah, that is a great song. Great to dance to, for sure". Jumping on a grenade...the conversation instantly veered into a overly detailed description of shaking it at the Jukebox Dance Club and how we should get babysit-....a sudden shrill cry of an injured child shattered the momentum of the conversational downward spiral and for a little while at least, we were saved. Travesty averted.

For us there is nothing more confounding then hearing someone state that they are a huge music fan to only find out that they only listen to the radio. We're almost embarrassed for them. Truly, being a music fan and only listening to the radio is self-inflicted abuse. Not only must you tolerate radio advertising and obnoxious buffoon Deejay's with over-inflated perceptions of their comedic ability...you only ever hear the same 13 songs that the radio station has deemed worth paying a royalty on.   

In the end, we can appreciate having a love for music. However, we cannot tolerate musical complacency. You're better off telling us that you don't like music at all. Because we have no interest in learning more about what mainstream America thinks is great music. We want to explore new realms of musical interest. Share with us if you have something spectacularly new, mind altering, mood shifting, or body shaking. We are always game for a holy evoking outer-body musical journey. 

We'll attempt to share our experiences with you here. We are always seeking a musical adventure. But let it be just that, an adventure.

We'll leave you with this. Something new, something different. They don't play it on the radio.

Younger Brother, Spinning Into Place- Acoustic Version


-Fr33theLion & WideEyes