My Musical DNA

I've been thinking about the wide net that was cast for developing what I call my musical DNA, or musical roots.. Or what 'tuned' my specific preferences for certain musical genres. I like to think I have an open mind when it comes to what I like, but sure- I do lean into certain genres more than others. I think it is an interesting thing to trace back, just as it is to trace back genealogy.

Going back to childhood, I think you can go back to kids songs that might have been played in kindergarten. There are those traditional 'nursery rhymes' and songs, Twinkle twinkle little star, Hickory dickory dock, Old MacDonald had a farm. But also, for my Canadian twist- I recall a small amount of French songs too. Frere Jacques and the rhyme 'Am stam gram'.

And there was also perhaps very subtle, but important music being played in kids shows that I watched as well. I recently saw a video that detailed how in depth Mr. Rogers went into creating the music on his TV show. He composed over 200 songs- often of jazz based piano, focused on simple soothing melodies for feelings. Of course his lyrics were important too, acting as musical messages. Think of the songs like: Won't you be my neighbor?, Its such a good feeling, and Tomorrow. He also featured other artists with their musical instruments to teach children about music.

Then, I also think of Sesame Street, and having grown up in the early 80's- there are a number of songs but one that instantly comes to mind is their "beat counting song" or "Pinball number count song" that one with the animated pinball sequence. I've just learned today that this was sang by the Pointer Sisters!!

This roughly one minute track has its own wikipedia page and was produced in 1976 for Childrens Television Workshop. It debuted on Sesame Street in 1977, and ran into 2002- a 25 year run! The song reflected the 70s urban music culture featuring funk, jazz and Caribbean music.

There is a great review of this number song by a YouTuber here.

Next up, I think we have to count in my parents music. I'd be hearing this stuff being played at home and in the car - as well as being taken to some live concerts.

As for either of them, I'd guess their musical preferences are wider than what I recognize or identify with having come from them... but I'll attempt to summarize!

For my mom- I'd say that I'd hear the following: Pop, Rock, Dance, Disco, R&B. For my dad, I'd say: Blues, Pop, Rock, Disco, Easy listening, Jazz, Country, New age.

Calling out more specifics, my mom would listen to top 20 artists of the era like Richard Marx, George Michael, INXS, U2, Lionel Richie, Police, Genesis, Tragically Hip, April Wine, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner.

My dad- a decent amount of time listened to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, KD Lang, Elvis, Collin James, David Bowie, Prince, Elton John, Tom Jones, Cliff Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Billy Ray Cyrus.

There are so many more I could attribute to them, and there are some that are listed for one, that apply to both. Maybe I can say my mom leans more to modern and my dad more traditional music- but that is not exclusively true! Dad got exposed to some British music and took a liking to it I believe, as he did some schooling over there.

Next down the line are people like my half sister, and my Baba (grandmother)- maybe my grandfather. Crystal would come over for weekend visits from Kingston- occasionally the visit would align with a live show she'd want to go see in Ottawa. Duran Duran, Mr. Mister were 2 that I believe she came to see perform in Ottawa. Crystal would also love to watch MuchMusic (the Canadian version of MTV) - so whatever was on there from the mid to late 80's I came to like as well! As an observer of a fan of MuchMusic, I feel it appropriate to say watching MuchMusic was the TikTok of the time.

Now, my Baba- she was a fan of almost any music, and liked to play it in the car or while at home - she appreciated anything that made her move! She had me pic out any record of the collection and queue it for playing. I couldn't say what exact records we played- a fair amount of them were 78's (which I've read- stopped being in production mid 50s). There were polkas and waltzes on vinyl. I do distinctly remember one time while riding with my Baba, War - Low Rider came on and she turned it up and said she really liked the song, so again- anything that made you feel like dancing was good by her!

As I expand the musical web here- I move on to my friends. Ahhh there is a lot of variety here. In grade 7 and 8 I started to trade CD's with friends and just be more aware of what they were listening to. Sabrina, a good friend of mine had a brother in University... she was into alt-rock, punk, grunge. Silverchair - Frogstomp is the only CD I specifically recall being on play often with her. Her brother played in a local band, and so we attended a yearly fundraiser they had at Carleton U- called Mosh for Mutts. That was back in 1996, I would have been 16 and a half years old. There's something about live music, real instruments, and real live voices.

A big credit has to go to my friend John, who turned me on to electronic music as a whole. I was already exploring it in being into at first rap (shoutout to Rap Traxx compilation) and then getting into dance and club music- but John introduced me to so much within electronica.

One album John introduced me to was Ministry of Sound, One Half of a Whole Decade. 3 CD import set from the UK, where my main interest was LTJ Bukem - at first just for the weirdness of the name! Drum and bass, trip hop, ambient, house, techno, trance, and all things along those lines is what he introduced me to. We would go back to his apt and he'd play the latest thing he wanted me to hear at a loud level I'm surprised we never got in too much trouble with. We would also visit the record shops that did carry electronic music - usually the same places you'd find local DJ's at also shopping. Bowwgy Records being one of those places.

Local Canadians were truly creating electronica and cutting in samples, making great mixes. I'm sure I still have some of those locally made tapes somewhere.

I then also have my friend Rob who was one of my better guy friends of the time- in early high school. He was into Metal, and Hard rock. Also into the oldies. Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath was one we listened to, Rob Zombie, Rush, Pink Floyd, Tool. I was absolutely into all these as well, though I think he went for more of the scream rock / death metal.

Friend wise again, Melody introduced me to Vaporwave and its variants. I knew of VaporWARE, which was old software that was no longer relevant but still of interest for its nostalgia. Similar idea with Vaporwave.

Vaporwave is a niche, internet-based subgenre of electronic music that functions more as a slow, ironic, and heavily sampled "aesthetics" movement than mainstream dance music. It focuses on slowing down, distorting, and looping 1980s-90s corporate, pop, and elevator music to create nostalgic, eerie critiques of the period.

Lastly I'd have to say the most recent people to change or add to my musical DNA were the Twitch DJ's of the pandemic. Victoria Rawlins, Chess Knight, Dial Jess, Jessu, Pyka, Jovian, ch1ckyyy, thaPHLASH, SivzMusic, SheenSayer, kayperofficial, DJMissNinja, Mazuumusic, and pondelinp! The covid-19 pandemic brought all these wonderful artists to my home through the internets, and kept me going with new and old music and some amazing communities of folks who are music lovers like myself. I became a frequent user of Shazam to figure out what was playing so that I could otherwise download or buy the songs I heard being played. I am FOREVER grateful to these people for being friends and expanding my music palette greatly!

Generally speaking, as of this date, per what YouTube Music tells me- my top genres in order are: Electronic/Electronic Dance music, Rock/Pop, Indie, and lastly Rhythm and Blues. Now-- more entertainingly, it identified and named the following eclectic custom genres for me (also in order): Velvet disco goth- Listening to Purple Rain then Faith is a vibe. Yacht rock bounce- I Can't Go for That mixed with Kraak & Smaak's groove. Dad-Rock Nostalgia trip- Tom Petty's Free Fallin makes you feel things. Wiggly Basslines- That funky bass in Armand Van Helden's Flowerz is proof. Mid-Tempo Chillwave- Flight Facilities Heavy is your perfect background hum.