Listen To New Music

Genre is interesting to think about.

When asked “What kind of music do you listen to?,” music lovers (and especially musicians) often respond with “lots of different kinds!” Then they might iterate over specific genres they are currently exploring.

I can’t think of anyone I’ve met that truly listens to “all kinds of music” on a regular basis. Most people I know have a few broad areas that they concentrate on. And perhaps sometimes they get into the mood to explore…

I consider myself open-minded and willing to listen to anything at least once. But I have my fallbacks. Genres that I tend to listen to while doing technical work. Different “reliable” genres I’m regularly in the mood for. Music I grew up with and feel sentimental about, etc.

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When I tell strangers that I write music, they almost always then want to know “What kind of music do you write?”

“I write folk songs” is a great answer. Easy to understand and visualize.

“Classical piano pieces” is also very good. Everyone knows exactly the kind of thing meant.

Musicians can have trouble with this question. Condensing a complex and very personal pursuit into a digestible tagline is a tall order.

I used to be “anti-genre” — in part because I didn’t know to answer this question appropriately. I might have a current interest in a particular genre, but I wouldn’t want to pre-emtively exclude types of music from the music I want to write. Folk today. Minimalist classical yesterday. EDM tomorrow. Why not?

“It’s useful to give names and labels to things,” would be the standard reply when discussing the topic with others. I agree, being able to name things is required before we can efficiently communicate about them.

So, with the goal of not being a social pain in the ass, I’ve said many things over the years.

I’m a “bedroom musician” I used to say, until my studio got a lot nicer and my production quality decent.

“I’m into electronic and real instruments mixed together” is true, but doesn’t paint much of a picture.

“I like to combine speech and sound and music together” sounds very….artiste.

I tell my classical piano teacher that I write pop/folk, just to keep things clean and simple.