Alyson's Intro

Hello, my name is Alyson and I am looking forward to reading and contributing to this site. There are very few outlets where I live for sharing and enjoying new groups. Most of the local radio stations only play a few types of music, mainly country and pop. My music tastes are vey broad, I like everything from Frank Sinatra to Queen. I also enjoy hearing small up and coming groups like Red Wanting Blue. I hope that this will be a good platform for sharing new bands, music news, and discussing music in general.

Just Because I Don't Dress Like You Doesn't Mean I Don't Know Who Skinny Puppy Is...

Greetings from Saint Louis, MO (well, at least this week...)!

I'm Charlotte & I guess I sparked Carrie's creative thought process when I was complaining to her about my coworkers who thought I had no clue who Skinny Puppy was. (Not that they are a fav of mine, but, cheese & rice, I *HAVE* heard of them...) I am a firm believer in the whole I don't need to dress the part to prove I like the music. Grrr...

So, let me tell you about my musical tastes: I am that person who has Jay Z sitting next to Elvis Costello, who is sitting next to Air, which happens to be right next to Pachelbel, which happens to be right next to Garth Brooks, who happens to sandwiched in between Billie Holiday and Joni Mitchell. Eclectic best describes me.

I really do like all kinds of music. My all time favorite artist is Elvis Costello, and my favorite songs of all time are a tie between "In a Big Country" by Big Country and "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" by Elvis Costello. But, I'm also starting to really get into the old Texas country and bluegrass music right now. (Must be due to the fact I now live in the great state of Teh-has...)

I am looking forward to reading/discussing what everyone else has to say!

Muy fresco...

Thanks for the invite, consider me the antagonist in a Socratic dialogue if the discussions center around music, art, literature, or that crazy little thing called feeeelings. Why does a particular song/score/passage/nuance of light and shade appeal? I'm all about the why. And I'm honored to be part of this sovereign little enclave where free thought & discussion about music & such is encouraged...my name is Helen, and (dramatic pause) Neil Diamond shares a home with Cajun clanky-clank, Steve Earl, Prince, and the Queers in my CD collection...the orchestra is tuning, soon the music will begin...

The Introductory Post

The Little Music Renegades is all about sharing music and sharing thoughts on music with other people who love music.

The site was inspired by a few events & ideas:

#1: Charlotte expressing her frustration with people who just can't believe she listens to some of the music she loves (Sex Pistols, Morrissey, the Clash, etc.) based on her choices in fashion (i.e. not punk rock/sk8r chic). And the fact she also sometimes likes pop music a là Gwen Stefani, and experiences no guilt about enjoying this wide range of music.

#2: Watching the RIAA and major record companies fight so ridiculously hard against file sharing as their sales plummet, while little indie bands on their own labels or small labels encourage such actions, and are experiencing growth. (Note: I have and will continue to download free music. To me, it's the equivalent of being in jr. high and a friend making me a tape of a band they are stoked about. And if I don't like it, we leave it at the tape, but if I do get excited about it, I buy the tape myself, and a t-shirt, and a ticket to the show).

#3: Personal observations on how digital audio players (DAP) such as ipods, zunes, etc. are turning the music industry sideways. I have filled my ipod with bebop, symphonies, reggae, ngdombolo african music, 70s punk, jam bands, alternative rock, and various new bands friends have recommended, and I haven't touched the storage capacity (yet) or scratched the surface of what I will load onto it. This is typical.

People really don't always want to listen to just one form of music, and they aren't really stuck in little boxes. And many people in the industry haven't grasped how to get our attention. (Hint: Promote good bands, don't try to craft them into a "thing", let them be the band you hired to begin with).

#4: The realization that I spend an insane amount of time blogging about, talking about, and reading about music. And often find myself frustrated at the saturation of certain artists, while little known gems get left to flounder at the cusp of musical greatness.

I've invited a few friends with varied musical tastes and backgrounds to join me in posting articles, reviews, thoughts, and miscellaneous musical notes. We hope you find the music here @ The Little Music Renegades!