Do you have relatives and friends that constantly hound you and put you on the defensive because you listen to modern music and happen to be tired of the C major triad?

I can never figure out what to tell these people. In the words of FZ: "You either get it or you don't."

God yes. At school I've had people tell me that I listen to free jazz and 20th century classical just "to be different" and nobody actually enjoys it.

I think I am old enough not to care what other people think about what I like to listen to.

there is a point you reach that you just get sick and tired of explaining to people why you do and listen to certain things, watch certain movies or whatever.

but then, I guess I am lucky that my friends and parents don't really put me on defensive that way. my father did that once about the weird music I listened to, it was just some drumandbass stuff. and I blamed it on him because he used to listen to all kinds of different music when I was a little boy.

Yeah, I couldn't care less what other people think, but there are at least two people I have to deal with (visiting relatives) who feel the need to superintend everything I listen to. Basically, they start in on me out of the blue...like they really care what I think or want to learn something.

At the same time, these are always the most pointless conversations based on "I don't like it, or people in general don't like it, so it's just bad"...and these aren't teenagers, they're in their forties.

There's never a right answer in these situations, they just want to wind you up and watch the fun. I need to find a clever way out of these discussions...like, just agree with them and say: "hey, you're right! Bartok, what an idiot!"

I guess I'm saying that I fell for one of these "talks" last night and I just feel stupid now.

forty some year old dudes still dreaming of rock and roll in the 60's probably

yeah, you are right, they were probably very entertained by your reaction.

I don't know, there are things you can do.

1. just agree with everything they say and tell them you are wasting your money on bullshit releases of some guys' musical masturbation.

2. put on some merzbow and let them talk while waiting for them to walk out of your room. if they confront you later about the incident, tell them you wanted some silent moments.

3. tell them you just wanna laid this beautiful artsy girl who is heavily into avant garde music. but you have to build credibility for the girl to like you.

4. tell them you actually like john tesh, Kenny G and dave sandborn better, but hate to admit it.

5. steer the conversation to their clothing like "nice shirt, by the way, where did you get it?"

6. hire a hitman just kidding

I don't know. usually I try not to talk about shit like that with my relatives and parents.

... where do I buy a John Tesh T-shirt?

Unfortunately, you have to go to a concert.

To stop ironic poseurs I guess...

... maybe you just need to talk about the music that matters to them... after all, everything after 1899 *IS* crap ... except what Fantasia sings... I sure hope she wins... and not because Simon thinks she should... I mean, I like made up my mind WAY before he made up his... I think... no wait...


---drsquid

Squid Quote of the moment:
I think, therefore I am... or rather, I *THINK* I think, therefore I must be around here somewhere... that is, I think I must be... no wait...

I used to get that about Noise music! I honestly enjoy its sound qualities just people would tell me I do it for 'a reaction' or to piss people off!

I just tell people that everything after Hildegard von Bingen sucks , or that they don't have an open enough mind and need catchy choruses, melodious riffs and foot-tapping beats to 'appreciate' music.