I am about to drop some knowledge upon my five readers on the217.com. Those five readers most likely already know me but this may come as a real shocker. I. Like. Music.
Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly a huge surprise to anyone who knows the teeniest biographical info about me but yesterday I was reminded by our newest blog here on the217, Triple Entendre, that I should probably write more about something I know about.
I’m not looking to take over the “Music” section of our small section of the blogosphere but as my start at the Illini Media Company was in the Music Department of WPGU 3 years ago (!) and I now work as a DJ there as well, I feel like giving music a little summer holla seems like a good idea.
At the beginning of every summer, the musical theme for the season becomes pretty apparent. When the warm weather rolled around this year, my ears returned to a familiar home: Wilco.
Wilco is my favorite band.
THERE, I said it. As much as it feels like I’m cheating on the band that I’ve considered my favorite for about 4 years now, I cannot lie to myself any longer. Wilco is at the top of my charts both literally and figuratively.
As someone interested in both music and internet culture, I am a participant in last.fm. If you are unfamiliar, last.fm “scrobbles” the music that you play on iTunes or WinAmp or whatever default music player you may use and tracks them on a chart. In one week, Wilco moved from being my 11th most played band to my 2nd most played band. Needless to say, I’ve been listening to them a lot lately.
For some reason, Jeff Tweedy and the gang seem to have something to say for all of my moods. “Via Chicago” makes me dream of waiting at an El stop for a train at the end of summer. “Reservations” makes me think of beaus past, present and future. Passenger Side makes me want to drive around with the windows down. I fall asleep to Wilco. I make lunch to Wilco. I clean my house to Wilco. I can do EVERYTHING to Wilco.
All of that aside, I have NO idea why Wilco has come back into my life at this particular moment in time. However, I’m not going to fight it. One thing I’ve learned in my life (albeit a seemingly trivial lesson), you can’t fight what you want to listen to. If you’re into Summer Girls by L.F.O. in the warm months, then you go right ahead and like girls who wear Abercrombie and Fitch.
Music makes life significant to me and brings up memories I always want to remember and also some I’d rather forget. Find the soundtrack to your summer, whether it ends up being your favorite band, your former favorite band or your great uncle’s polka band. Let me know how and what music has gotten you through hard, happy, boring, yadda yadda…times (yes, I just yadda yadda’d music) this summer so far. I’ll be in Urbana, on my porch, listening to Wilco.
Sarah Clemmons: My Personal Ad: A saucy, raven haired girl who rarely takes herself too seriously. Likes playing footsy and football. Inquire within.
Comments
Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am)
I’m thinking about writing another blog about the Hold Steady tomorrow. I listened to them this weekend….hard. Hold Steady represents my need to drink heavily.
Mary Z. (Mary Z.) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 12:03 pm)
The Hold Steady represents the fact that I’m an alto.
Mary Z. (Mary Z.) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 12:05 pm)
Also, the next time you mention my blog, insert a link to it.
You scratch my back, I’ll do something equally pleasing to yours.
Charlie (Charlie) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 5:16 pm)
Mary. Sarah.
Are you two gonna kiss?
Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 5:44 pm)
1. Who says we haven’t already? 2. Only when you’re not watching
Matt (Matt) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 6:48 pm)
Stay Positive is good… but there are a couple songs that could have just been kicked off the album. I deliberately did not set myself up for another Boys and Girls in America, let’s face it, chances are that record is their 9th Symphony.
I’m calling the MGMT blow up right now.
Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 7:15 pm)
What a 9th Symphony it is. I’m getting more into Stay Positive after listening to it several times. I was definitely like that with my expectations as well though.
steve (steve) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 8:04 pm)
Whoah goes, Stay Positive hasnt been released yet!!
elle (elle) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 9:28 pm)
yeah this post is illegal.
Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 10:57 pm)
I will delete all comments in reference to Stay Positive if need be. Then people will just think every other person is crazy.
Carl Newman (Carl Newman) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 11:07 pm)
This is less encroaching on the turf of the music blogs, and more encroaching on me, and my “This music was playing and it was significant to my life” blogs.
So fuck yourself to Wilco.
Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted June 5th, 2008 at 12:19 am)
Sheesh Carl, you are in a bad blog mood lately. You’ve threatened both Mary and I now.
Add your comment
the217
Sections
Buzz Magazine
Sarah Clemmons
My Personal Ad: A saucy, raven haired girl who rarely takes herself too seriously. Likes playing footsy and football. Inquire within.
steve (steve) says:
(Posted June 4th, 2008 at 11:34 am)
Summer albums from last year: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Living with the Living, and Boys and Girls in America
Predicted summer albums of ‘08: Evil Urges, At Mount Zoomer, Viva la Vida, Stay Positive.