Action Jack ([info]actionjack) wrote,
@ 2008-11-07 23:57:00
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Entry tags:story time

Bursting at the seams
Whenever my mother turned on the radio, it was to listen to the news. As a result, I grew up listening to none of the music you did (aside from Weird Al Yankovic). My brother had an exquisite taste in hip hop, some of which he passed on to me, but for the most part I was forced to discover my musical tastes in college.

I have a strong sense of individualism, and this translates to a desire to find songs that nobody else is listening to. If everyone's talking about a particular song, it is a turnoff for me, even if I acknowledge that it is a work of quality.

These pursuits give me an air of pride for making my own way and the pleasure of introducing countless people to a wave of awesome tunes, but they have left me painfully ignorant of the world around me. I have mistaken Smashing Pumpkins for The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I didn't know who Johnny Cash was until a year ago. And I usually can't even tell you anything about my favorite bands, because I find their albums in bargain bins and most of them aren't famous enough to have even a wikipedia page.

I have worked at my current job for a year now. In the game room, there is a machine that blasts a digitized version of an Andean song I enjoy. Take a listen (the version I have is better, but I couldn't find it on the internet):

http://www.imeem.com/timidoprodukktionzz/music/ayRVgjqV/jorge_meza_llorando_se_fue/

When I first heard this, I was thrilled. It would only be a matter of time before I would get a chance to show that I knew this song. Then all the people who had scoffed at my lack of knowledge, who had judged me for confusing The Cure with The White Stripes, would be put in their place.

But for a year, nobody cared. Every activation of the candy machine mocked my ambitions as the melody faded beneath the noise of zombies getting their heads blown off with 12-gauge shotguns, while my coworkers strolled past in blissful disregard of their imminent comeuppance. I bode my time, clinging to my one bit of truth as I lurked in the shadows of obscurity, waiting for the time to come.

A week ago, it came during an unusually slow shift.

Carlos: Do you know the name of the song the candy machine plays?
(My eye twiches)
Me: Which candy machine are you talking about?
Carlos: Um...
Me: Here, come with me.
(Hasty escort to the game room)
Me: This one?
Carlos: I think so...
Me: Well, that's a pretty old song. The melody's been reappropriated by several cultures, but-
Carlos: I just want to hear it.
Me: (Fighting to contain my well of facts)It should be playing on its own...
Carlos: You got a game card?
Me: Yeah, here.
Carlos: This isn't working.
Me: Oh right, the employee cards don't work on anything that gives prizes.
Carlos: Damn. (Walks away)
Me: (Giving chase) Wait! It's called Llorando se-
Carlos: So, make any good tips tonight?

HOLD STILL SO I CAN BE SMARTER THAN YOU, DAMN IT!!!

Later...

Me: You know, I actually have a few different versions of that song on my computer. If you-
Carlos: What song?
Me: Llor- the candy machine song.
Carlos: Oh, that. What about it?
Me: If you give me your email address, I can send it to you.
Carlos: Nah, I don't want to go to all that trouble.
Me: It'll take fifteen seconds! I know exactly where it is on my computer! I would enjoy the privilege of sharing it with a fellow fan!
Carlos: Don't worry about it.

FUCKIN' A!!! SHIT COCK VULVA!!!

I was content to wallow in my despair, and bitch to my girlfriend about this. But today he pulled a finisher on me...

Carlos: Does anyone know what song that machine plays in the game room?
Me: YES! We had this conversation a week ago!!!
Carlos: "Luck be a lady tonight..."
Me: Huh?
Carlos: You know, that machine where you try to launch the coin at the target?
Me: You... you said the candy machine. I specifically led you to it.
Carlos: Which candy machine?
Me: The one that goes (humming Llorando se Fue).
Carlos: What's THAT?
(...)
Me: Nothing.


(18 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]hayleyscomet
2008-11-08 07:11 am UTC (link)
Aww. That is so sad.

Still, though, I got little kick out of knowing what song you were talking about--because you shared that CD with me! Yay!

My knowledge about music is similarly terrible, despite having actually worked at a concert venue. I do, however, have a wealth of knowledge about contemporary Christian pop music (that was what my mother listened to, and what I listened to in high school), and can identify pretty much every singer on contemporary Christian radio stations (and can sing along with all the words). I have not yet figured out how to effectively utilize this knowledge.

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[info]actionjack
2008-11-08 09:22 pm UTC (link)
My knowledge about music is similarly terrible, despite having actually worked at a concert venue.

Obviously I have no room to judge you, but... how does that happen? Have the artists you learned about at that job all faded into obscurity?

And your knowledge of contemporary Christrian music is useful, just not around any of the people you regularly talk to. It'll come in handy someday, you just have to be in the right company.

Once I put on a song around Dush and Anu and their friends and they all shouted "They play this ALL the time back home!!!"

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[info]gruzless
2008-11-08 08:25 am UTC (link)
Hahaha, that sucks. >:(

What kinda music is this anyways? I'm very uneducated with foreign music... It's good though!

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[info]actionjack
2008-11-10 01:41 am UTC (link)
I don't know much about it either (I usually dig this kind of stuff out of bargain bins), but I would call it Andean folk. This song in particular is from Bolivia, but the tune was stolen by Brazilian artists to create The Lambada.

If you can, try to get your hands on Wankara by Jose Arciniegas. It's the only song I've ever heard that pumps me up and mellows me out at the same time, and it's how I begin every long car trip.

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[info]chubbs_malone
2008-11-08 01:05 pm UTC (link)
I was trying to tell you that music is a way of bringing people together, and when you try so desperately to go off the deep end, you'll find no one is there with you. And now look what happens when you try to share the experience

When we were talking about music and you were using Johnny Cash as an example, and you didnt see the purpose of understanding "popular" music and you said something along the lines of "well whats the point? I can say 'yeah we both like Johnny Cash' and so what?", it meant you really had no experience sharing that with anyone- music can mean a lot and when people click on that, it can often be a serious connection. Its something you've been missing out on this whole time cause you've been your own little musical hermit on your own island of obscurity.

Personally, I interpret this story as proof of that point.

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[info]actionjack
2008-11-08 05:21 pm UTC (link)
I find it a little disturbing that you remember our conversation in such a harsh light. You paint me as completely missing your point, and that's not what I said.

First of all, I said I liked Johnny Cash but wouldn't consider myself a Johnny Cash fan because I would rather listen to this kind of stuff. And I'm not downplaying the phenomenon of clicking over music; it happens less often with me, but it does happen and I feel like the bond can be a lot stronger when it does.

I used to work with a guy who was curious about my musical tastes. I started giving him my theme song mixes one at a time. One day, after Cincinnati was almost flooded and lightning had shaken the earth, he came up to me and said he and another coworker had driven home listening to my Driving Through a Storm soundtrack, and had been on the edge of their seat the whole time. That's a lot stronger than "I like Johnny Cash too," and the fact that neither of them recognized the music didn't make a difference in the least.

And I'm not really at a loss for connecting with people. Look at Gruzless- I've never met the man in my life, but here is he is, commenting on my livejournal because 20 months ago we found out we both liked Dark Castle (and we don't really even talk about Dark Castle anymore). Likewise, on the rare occasion I find a fan of Way of the Samurai, the energy is a lot stronger than when I meet someone who's played a Mario game.

Plus, if you already like the same music you're less likely to exchange cds. On the other hand, Dush and I now have three of each others' albums, and we'll always think of each other whenever we listen to them. Connection AND profit.

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[info]chubbs_malone
2008-11-08 10:50 pm UTC (link)
No I didnt see the conversation in a harsh light, I thought it was a really interesting conversation, I just mentioned the parts where I thought you didnt "get it" cause those parts were relevant to this conversation, thats all.

And what I was referring to was the same thing you mentioned in your post above, and the same thing mentioned by the girl below me; the whole "I like Johnny Cash Too" impression, that you seem to imply is the most that 2 people can bond over more mainstream music. The impression that I keep getting from you is that if 2 people like mainstream type music they just kind of agree and shrug, whereas if 2 people bond over obscure stuff its such a more powerful experience. Now theres no problem with listening or bonding over obscure stuff, but I think you just dont get what music means to people. It doesnt matter if its mainstream or not, well known or semi-well known, but relationships can begin on these kinds of connections, friends can form or not, you can be part of a group or not all by this. It means a lot, but I dont think you've ever had that experience- you've just had the "let me show you this new thing you dont know of" which is ALSO a very good bonding experience, but its a different thing.

It reminds me of the "indie" crowd who listens to a certain subset of music *becuase* its not popular, and when someone gets popular its all of a sudden not cool to listen to it despite the music itself being the same. In doing so their tunnel vision is denying them a huge amount of awesome music, but entire communities and circles of friends are created over sharing that experience. Its just so much more than "I like Johnny Cash too", but in your case you dont have the community to share your music with but you still have the sort of subconscious tunnel vision that prevents you from experiencing a lot of great stuff.

I mean theres nothing wrong with the stuff you listen to, its fine to have your likes and dislikes, but I'm a music fanatic and really get into things, and it would be really sad if I wouldnt let myself experience such a vast amount of great stuff because I was so caught up in only listening to a certain subset. And even then it doesnt seem like you listen to the music half the time, it often sounds like a gimmick from my point of view- your habit of playing wacky shit in your dorm room to get people to wonder 'what the fuck is THAT'? comes to mind here, or you desperately trying to share some obscure thing with someone- yeah thats about bonding, but its unclear how much you are really affected by the music itself, and maybe you dont know if youve never really looked for that connection. Its hard to tell for me, just a pattern I've seen over the years

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[info]hayleyscomet
2008-11-09 04:11 pm UTC (link)
I would like to step in and vouch for Action actually enjoying and getting into the music he plays, and not using it as a gimmick. (I mean, really, when Action undertakes anything, even listening to music, he puts his whole heart and soul into it.)

Once, the two of us discovered a mutual liking of Andean flute music, which we'd each discovered independently. Granted, we were already good friends, but this strikes me as being just the same as "I like Johnny Cash too," only it was "I like Andean flute music too."

Friendships form over a heck of a lot of things. I've never started a friendship or become part of a group simply due to my listening tastes. But I've enjoyed music and concerts--from going to the symphony to Linkin Park--with many of my friends. I do not feel that I'm missing out on any bonding experiences, and I don't really think Action is either.

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[info]actionjack
2008-11-09 04:30 pm UTC (link)
Maybe "stronger" wasn't the right word for it. But it is a more pronounced and distinct connection. Yes, Johnny Cash can unite people; it's never happened to me, but I didn't mean to downplay that. But if I introduce you to something previousuly undiscovered, that's our song. You might be connected to hundreds of people by a love of Johnny Cash, but a song like Llorando se Fue will bond you only with one other person.

Also, I get my kicks by sharing the joys I find with other people. That's why I go so far out of my way to make sure everyone at work gets fed, it's why I keep this blog, and it's why I'm pursuing a career in entertainment. So if someone asks me what kind of music I like, I'm not going to say "Johnny Cash," even though I do. I'm going to say something to spark their curiosity, and hopefully end up burning a cd for them. And in a best case scenario, it will remind them of something they own, which they will then burn for me.

I'll admit I used to value wackiness of quality when looking for music. That was because I didn't have any other way to judge a song. But over time (read: since around my junior year), that grew into a legitimate set of likes and dislikes. Bizarre shit will always make me smile, but I don't listen to that stuff on a regular basis and I certainly don't give it to people who want to know what kind of music I like.

And really, I've listened to enough unusual stuff that it's not unusual anymore. Also, I think it's disprespectful to call an entire culture's music "wacky" (not that I was accusing you of that, but please don't put it on me either).

And what of The Afro Celt Sound System? They're more popular than my other music, but I don't shun them. When I heard Llorando se Fue coming from the candy machine, I didn't say "I can't believe Los Kjarkas sold out." I'm glad somebody else appreciates them.

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[info]chubbs_malone
2008-11-11 02:53 am UTC (link)
I just think its funny that Johnny Cash, of all people, has become the example for "normal person music". Funny how that just managed to happen

And as for music being "wacky" I wasnt referring to any one culture or another, but that came about because of your habit in college of playing loud music for its inherent shock value, which is focusing on the wacky. Now I dont remember what year that was- it may have been before your junior year, but that was a very adam-specific way of approaching music I had noticed. I assume you've moved on, but it still seems like you retain that view to some extent.

And I can appreciate sharing music people have never had before, when I give people music I try to give them stuff they dont already know- but dont you ever listen to music on your own because you like it? There just seems to be a lot of emphasis on finding stuff as far off mainstream as possible because of sharing it with others, but I'm not always talking about that, I'm just talking about appreciating the music.

As for afro celt I've generally stopped listening to it because I just dont really get into it anymore.

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[info]actionjack
2008-11-11 03:30 am UTC (link)
Sure I listen to music just for the sake of liking it! Often I'm putting it on to emphasize whatever else is happening- like a frantic panicky song as I throw on my work clothes on days when I'm in danger of being late, or a mischievous number as I prepare for some scheme- but how could I expect to get other people hooked on something I couldn't appreciate for myself?

I consider it a decision of grave importance when I'm giving someone music, be it an album or a situational mix, because if I give them something they don't like then I know they won't want any more. There are a lot of moments where I'm asking myself, "Well I like this, but will they like it?"

And I just brought up The Afro Celts as an example of something that's a little more popular that I still say that I like, without caring that other people do too.

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[info]chubbs_malone
2008-11-11 07:37 am UTC (link)
We should get on the music trading thing. I still want to give you a collection of "music you should know" and you can give me a collection of stuff I would never hear apart from you, and once we feel we've absorbed that music, we'd give feedback and give more stuff.

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[info]actionjack
2008-11-11 11:20 am UTC (link)
That'd be prime business. I'm off all day Wednesday...

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Disagree! Not that it's important!
[info]shaquitaj1
2008-11-08 06:27 pm UTC (link)
"he and another coworker had driven home listening to my Driving Through a Storm soundtrack, and had been on the edge of their seat the whole time. That's a lot stronger than "I like Johnny Cash too," "

That example is not about bonding over music it's about you being the smart music guy and other's being enlightened by your musicality. You are handing down knowledge not sharing in a musical experience.

What is nice about people who actually share your interests music wise is that you know that whatever you like...most likely they will like too. And vice versa.

Though this is not always true. As I have a friend who loves Dixie Chicks and yet whenever I try to recommend her to other bluegrass or pretty old school country girl type singers she wants nothing to do with it. "But you like Dixie Chicks!!" I scream. "This is just like that but even better." And yet she refuses to enjoy anything I suggest.

It's hard out there for a music snob...

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Re: Disagree! Not that it's important!
[info]actionjack
2008-11-08 09:42 pm UTC (link)
I'll admit there's a difference, but there is most definitely an experience there.

I made a mix of songs intended to orchestrate the drama of driving through a storm, and when that storm came, I was totally engrossed by it. The same thing happened to my coworkers, even though they were in a different car.

The next day, we were all three able to say to each other, "Yeah, I was on the edge of my seat too."

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[info]steve_mollmann
2008-11-09 05:36 am UTC (link)
You obviously weren't dealing with a winner here in any case. Could the song that starts "Luck be a lady tonight..." possible be titled "Luck Be a Lady"? And be one of Frank Sinatra's most famous songs? Signs point to yes!

Steve

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[info]actionjack
2008-11-09 08:24 am UTC (link)
That's not actually the song he quoted; I didn't recognize or remember the actual song, but it reminded me of that so I made a last-minute substitution for the sake of the story.

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[info]katie_anne
2008-11-11 01:02 pm UTC (link)
You should write professionally. Fo' real fo' real.

In my barely-awake haze while I fumbled with the alarm buttons on my phone this morning, I suddenly wondered if any familiar cellular ring tones are actually versions of obscure songs.

This First Coherent Thought of the Day brought to me by a Mr. Action Jack Rinsky.

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