OK, first the confession. I stopped listening to new music in 1992. Now, when I do listen to music at all, which I don’t very often because I find it distracting, I listen to old favorites like Depeche Mode or Elton John. I wake up to random classical music in the morning. But most of the time? I prefer to think thoughts, engage in mental argumentation and tell myself stories, and music makes it hard to concentrate.
Anyway, so I’m writing a novel. And my characters, who aren’t me (much), they listen to music. But I don’t have a clue what they would listen to. So I need suggestions.
What would the following people likely listen to?
• A seventeen-year old high school senior, female, white, middle-class, living in the ‘burbs*
• A 25-year old working class/no college woman, white, who is a bit of a “stoner” (do they still call them “stoners”? Loadies? *Ack*). I’m thinking she’s sophisticated enough not to listen to stereotypical “stoner” music, though. By that I mean she wouldn’t listen to music to enhance the “getting high” experience, but she would listen to things a somewhat intelligent person from her background would listen to.
• A 27-year old somewhat musically sophisticated male grad student, mixed race (white/native american), who I’m thinking listens to contemporary jazz
• A 24-year old registered nurse, female, black, middle-class, somewhat anal and neat-freaky and domestic
• A 22-year old hippy artist type, female, white, from a rich background she has rejected
Honestly, when I started this novel I was 29 and a lot closer in age to these people, but they’ve remained young and I’ve gotten old and I don’t know what these whipper-snapper young people listen to anymore!
*I would describe her as intelligent and bright, but rather sheltered and inexperienced. She’s spirited, but not really punk or “out there” in anyway. In high school, she’s part of the marching band crowd, but not in anyway a nerd. Developmentally, she’s in that in-between place where she might see things outside her experience (urban music) as interesting and exciting, but have enough intelligence not to be impressed by things that are rebellion for rebellion’s sake. In fact, I would describe her as someone who is learning as the novel progresses to be herself and NOT try to do those things teenagers do to seem more sophisticated/trendy that actually make them look juvenile.
Author Nancy E. Shaffer 
I’ll do what I can
though I don’t think I fit into any of those categories.
What would the following people likely listen to?
• A seventeen-year old high school senior, female, white, middle-class, living in the ‘burbs
One word: Avril, Avril, Avril. She would live and die for Avril Lavigne, followed by Blink 182, Offspring, Sublime, Sum 41, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, and Papa Roach (off the top of my head. I could check with my brother in law for other bands names)
If you don’t want her to be quite so punk, there is No Doubt and Liz Phair.
If she is incredibly trendy, you can go with jiggly rock — Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Lopez (J-lo), Brittany Spears and Christina Aguilara (I won’t insult Shakira by including her here). Then there are their male counterpoints, especially Justin Timberlake and Ricky Martin.
If you want her a bit deeper, Evanescence, 3 Doors Down, Vertical Horizon, Live, Sugar Ray and Goo Goo Dolls.
• A 25-year old working class/no college woman, white, who is a bit of a “stoner” (do they still call them “stoners”? Loadies? *Ack*). I’m thinking she’s sophisticated enough not to listen to stereotypical “stoner” music, though.
The Dave Matthew’s Band, Phish and The String Cheese Incident. This is the genre that my brother in law’s band (Hang Low Moon) plays, so if you need other bands, let me know. “Stoner” music is very sophisticated.
• A 27-year old somewhat musically sophisticated male grad student, mixed race (white/native american), who I’m thinking listens to contemporary jazz
That is what the buttons on the radio are for, so I’m no help here.
• A 24-year old registered nurse, female, black, middle-class, somewhat anal and neat-freaky and domestic
Big on female empowerment probably so I would go with Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys
• A 22-year old hippy artist type, female, white, from a rich background she has rejected
Liz Phair would be a good one. Stevie Nicks never goes out of date and now she is working with Sheryl Crow.
Re: I’ll do what I can
• A 25-year old working class/no college woman, white, who is a bit of a “stoner” (do they still call them “stoners”? Loadies? *Ack*). I’m thinking she’s sophisticated enough not to listen to stereotypical “stoner” music, though.
The Dave Matthew’s Band, Phish and The String Cheese Incident. This is the genre that my brother in law’s band (Hang Low Moon) plays, so if you need other bands, let me know. “Stoner” music is very sophisticated.
I’m thinking “Coldplay” may be a possibility for this character, too, particularly some of the more surreal cuts off “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” such as the title song and “Clocks.”
• A 24-year old registered nurse, female, black, middle-class, somewhat anal and neat-freaky and domestic
Big on female empowerment probably so I would go with Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys
And maybe a little Macy Gray.
• A 22-year old hippy artist type, female, white, from a rich background she has rejected
Liz Phair would be a good one. Stevie Nicks never goes out of date and now she is working with Sheryl Crow.
Aimee Mann also, particularly her latest album, “Lost in Space.”
Re: I’ll do what I can
• A 22-year old hippy artist type, female, white, from a rich background she has rejected
Liz Phair would be a good one. Stevie Nicks never goes out of date and now she is working with Sheryl Crow.
Aimee Mann also, particularly her latest album, “Lost in Space.”
And definitely Alanis Morissette. She’d probably most identify with her post-Jagged Little Pill work: most likely her favorite would be Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie.
Thanks!
My 17-year old character I would describe her as intelligent and bright, but rather sheltered and inexperienced. She’s spirited, but not really punk or “out there” in anyway. In high school, she’s part of the marching band crowd, but not in anyway a nerd. Developmentally, she’s in that in-between place where she might see things outside her experience (urban music) as interesting and exciting, but have enough intelligence not to be impressed by things that are rebellion for rebellion’s sake. In fact, I would describe her as someone who is learning as the novel progresses to be herself and NOT try to do those things teenagers do to seem more sophisticated/trendy than they really are that actually make them look juvenile.
Arg! This is frustrating…
I wish I knew what ANY of these people sound like.
I had my 17-year-old character listen to Alanis Morissette just because she seemed like the kind thing an intelligent, not-too-trendy teen would listen to. But is Alanis too “a couple years ago” for a high schooler?
Re: I’ll do what I can
The Dave Matthew’s Band, Phish and The String Cheese Incident. This is the genre that my brother in law’s band (Hang Low Moon) plays, so if you need other bands, let me know. “Stoner” music is very sophisticated.
What is the name of this genre of music? Would it still be called “rock”, or does it have a specific name?
Re: I’ll do what I can
Typically it gets lumped into “Alternative,” but I can’t figure out what isn’t now-a-days. These bands are considered the descendants of the Grateful Dead, especially Phish who has the same cult phenomenon surrounding it. Sometimes it is refered to as “fusion” since it does fuse many genres together. It is also called “jam-based.” You can download their stuff on-line for free, because they don’t really believe in owning music and have no problems with people swapping tapes and such.
It’s still rock, but that word has lost all meaning.
• A 27-year old somewhat musically sophisticated male grad student, mixed race (white/native american), who I’m thinking listens to contemporary jazz
I’m thinking Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, a little Rufus Wainwright and likes Chet Baker when he stumbles across him on the radio.
Re: Thanks!
Dido and Jewel are two good ones for this. So are Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton. I would also go with Evanescence for a harder edge. Nellie Furtado would give her a bit of hip-hop without the gansta. (all stuff my kid listens to. She thinks she is 17 and has the CD collection to prove it)
For male bands, 3 Doors Down, Goo Goo Dolls (though everyone should listen to the Goo Goo Dolls), Vertical Horizon, Live, Carbon Leaf, maybe Creed for a harder edge.
All this stuff gets lumped in either pop or alternative.
I can post some lyrics if you want. Jewel’s song “Intuition” is particularly good for what you are looking for.
• A 24-year old registered nurse, female, black, middle-class, somewhat anal and neat-freaky and domestic
Lauryn Hill, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, India Arie, Floetry. They all have very strong, rich voices and fall under R&B with subtle hip-hop/rap influences. They can belt out a hymn and rap with the guys in the park, too.
Re: Arg! This is frustrating…
Yeah, Alanis is pretty old skool already, even Avril is on her way out (though a new album could change that). Beyonce and Pink might be safer choices for the teen who’s trying to go with the crowd, or you could have her go sensitive boy singer route like Bright Eyes or Ryan Adams or a Brit band like Coldplay or Starsailor. You might want to check out mtv.com – they have bios of bands and helpfully divide them into categories like indie, pop and hip hop. The trouble with going too trendy is that it instantly dates the novel. Mid-level bands that never inspired huge Britney/Alanis-frenzy, and subsequent backlashes, usually seem to last longer on everyone’s shelves.
Oh and if your hippy artist is very rebellious she might listen to Peaches – feminist and very risque rap. And there’s always Ani DiFranco.
• A seventeen-year old high school senior, female, white, middle-class, living in the ‘burbs*
Hillary Duff aka Lizzie Maguire, Britney is still big.
Re: I’ll do what I can
I’m thinking “Coldplay” may be a possibility for this character, too, particularly some of the more surreal cuts off “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” such as the title song and “Clocks.”
How could I forget modern Pink Floyd? Duh. They said their next album is going to be harder. I guess they are going to try to sound more like Zepplin next.
We could also throw in Radiohead for this character or even Moby. Depends if we want to go more like Floyd or more like the Grateful Dead. The music is the same, just the bands have changed.
Re: Arg! This is frustrating…
Probably. I think Alanis is mostly now a non-mainstream college girl thing. I love her, too, though, but I tend to have tastes that are very uncharacteristic for my age and at times gender.
Re: Arg! This is frustrating…
Beyonce and Pink might be safer choices for the teen who’s trying to go with the crowd, or you could have her go sensitive boy singer route like Bright Eyes or Ryan Adams or a Brit band like Coldplay or Starsailor.
I think I’d save “Coldplay” for the 22 year old, because it’s a on the more artsy/slightly stoner-ish/pretentious side.
Re: Arg! This is frustrating…
I’d be careful with Pink. There is a lot of anger in her music and straight rebellion. Some of her videos need blurry spots because of hand gestures. If you want to show how smart your character is, I’d pick someone else. Not that she wouldn’t listen to Pink. I listen to lots of bands, including Pink (today I made my daughter a CD of the songs she’s allowed to listen to. Pink lyrics can be harsh). When you are picking an artist that your character is listening to, I’m assuming you want to make some sort of statement about her. Pink’s latest single declares that the is “Trouble.”
I’d go with No Doubt before Pink. Gwen Stefani has the girl power message with style and class. They’ve also been around long enough not to date the book badly. Gwen is in high demand and isn’t flash in the pan.
Not just a college thing
It can be for those of us who grew up with her. I even remember when she was on “You Can’t do that on Television” (my heart belonged to Alasdair). The cover of “Under Rug Swept” got broken, but it doesn’t matter. The CD is always in the CD player in my bedroom (we actually have at least one CD player, sometimes 2, in each room in the house). I don’t think I can go a week without my Alanis fix. She is the one that taught me that anger = pain. I never looked at music or people the same way again. It’s a pity that anger sells better than “Utopia.”
And my kids like her, too.
Re: I’ll do what I can
The reason I ask is, the “Stoner” character is my main character’s roommate, and at some point, she’s talking about her roommate’s taste in music, and she’s thinking, “that ____ stuff”. I think both “alternative” and “rock” would be too broad to fill in the blank.
I can see I’m going to have to spend one of my Saturdays at Virgin Records on Market listening to this stuff. They let you preview CDs there, don’t they?
Re: Not just a college thing
That’s really great. I’m glad to hear it, because I for one adore her. I actually waited on an 8 hour standby line to a mini concert/autograph signing she did at the Virgin Megastore in the city with a friend of mine the day “Under Rug Swept” came out. Unfortunately, didn’t get in. “Under Rug Swept” is still my favorite CD of hers, though. Can’t wait for her new one in the spring!
Re: Thanks!
It’s funny, I’ve heard OF most of these bands/artists, but couldn’t tell you any names of their songs, nor could I hum the tune to any of them. If you played a few of their songs, I might recognize them from BtVS, Roswell, or Alias, but that’s my only exposure, and I can’t say I paid too much attention to the music on those shows.
As for my 24-year old nurse
I did imagine her taste would be closer to jazz/R&B, but not anything she would perceive of as “too” rap/hop-hop.
Re: Arg! This is frustrating…
The trouble with going too trendy is that it instantly dates the novel.
That’s what I want to avoid. This novel will be published in two years at the SOONEST, and I want some artists who will age well. Most of my characters are pretty intelligent and not the type to jump on the latest trends. I’m not afraid of them liking artists who have been around for a couple of years, because I doubt I’ll mention particular CDs or songs.
But yes, I want to avoid the flash-in-the-pan types.
As an 18 year old white, middle-class student in the ‘burbs (occasionally) although not to my taste, for the 17 year old I’d say go with mainstream-ly alternative artists: not the pop of Britney, but artists that have more of a guitar credibility base like No Doubt people have recommended, Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Jewel (although now she’s gone pop). And bands like GooGooDolls, Maroon 5 and Evanescence. The key to these artists is that the girls-with-guitars would suit your character description as they do introspective stuff but with a ‘i’m in love with a boy’ basis and a catchy tune.
The hippy artist I’d say Female singers such as Sarah McLachlan, Lucinda Williams and Joni Mitchell (timeless) with also maybe some of the new acoustic revival like Gillian Welch and Laura Cantrell: very edgy in a retro way if that makes sense- authentic acoustic music. Plus Jack Johnson, Gary Jules, Jason Mraz and John Mayer for a coffee-shop feel.
Actually…
Pink might be a good choice for my 17-year-old’s best friend. Their friendship is on the outs (it’s over by end of the book) because Lisa is starting to find her high school friends too juvenile and rebellion-for-rebellion’s sake.
I’m thinking we’re starting to have some agreement here!
Which is good. My head was starting to spin from all the new names being bandied about!
Thanks!
As a seventeen year old female…(high rant-factor)
A seventeen-year old high school senior, female, white, middle-class, living in the ‘burbs*
Without being pretentious I feel like you’re writing a book about me! So I guess the best I can do is tell you what I personally listen to, though it may not be completely what you have in mind for your character as I’m not American and probably won’t listen to the same kind of thing that people my age do in America.
Hope this is helpful in some way!
I’ll try to keep this reasonably neutral and not use it as opportunity to promote my artists of choice 😛
FIrst word of advice: do not, I repeat, do NOT have your character listening to Britney or Avril, these are pretty much no longer considered cool (if they ever were) Christina is acceptable, but I’m not sure how it fits in with your characters personality.
Here’s a list of the kind of stuff I listen to, minus kiwi- and other artists that your character would probably never have heard of:
Daniel Bedingfield- a kiwi I know, but pretty well known the world over and generally respected as an artist who can do many genres and pull them off. Plus he has one amazing voice. On a side note, I met the guy on Sunday which was pretty awesome 😛 This would be an especially good choice if you decide to have your character be religious or spiritual, though not necessarily Christian, as some of his songs are quite deep in that way. For sensitive teeny angst you should check out “Honest Questions”: “Do you know the silent sorrows of a never ending journey through the pain? Do you see a brighter day for me, another day, a day? Do you wonder what’s in store for me, the cure for me. the way?” It also helps that apparently he wrote it when he was about 14:-P
In my personal opinion he has incredible staying power, but I guess only time will tell. Depends on if you want this to be a timeless novel or specific to its time or whatever.
Completely agree on Jewel and Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton, these are pretty good choices for girls my age, though I have to say I’m not as big a Jewel fan as I used to be, since her ‘transformation’. Can I also add John Mayer to that list? One song of his that especially touches me is “Daughters” which is about how important fathers are for their daughters, and how they can affect the behaviour of their daughters by either being there and supporting them or not being there at all.
Also other bands like Coldplay and Travis, though Travis seemed to have slightly fizzled out. But Colplay’s fan base pretty much straddles all demographics.
If you want your character to be really unusual you can have her listening to David Gray, whose music I absolutely adore. I went to a concert of his last year with my Dad and I was probably one of 10 people there under 30 😛 Oh well.
Many people would also say Evanescence, which is fine by me though I’m not a huge fan but many of my friends are (note: I went to a single-sex school so most of my friends ARE 17 year old girls), and also Linkin Park. Now my opinion of Linkin Park isn’t too high: most of their songs sound too similiar and their songs are so angsty they come across as fake, and are repetitive. Though they would probably say otherwise, they’re definitely far too mainstream, and seem to be the rebel-band of choice for wannabe rebels, which instantly negates any rebel-factor they might have had. But that’s just my opinion.
You could also refer to your character having once been a Backstreet Boys fan, and still having a soft spot for them, as seems to be the case for most 17 year old girls I know. I suppose you could substitute this for N’Sync, but I don’t know how popular they are/were in the USA, they were never really very big here.
Justin Timberlake, perhaps, but he’s starting to annoy me personally, but many many people I know have his album.
There are a lot of other great bands like 3 Doors Down and Eve 6, but I would probably stay away from bands like Blink 182 or Good Charlotte unless they’re not listened to too seriously.
And if you run out of ideas, doesn’t everyone love The Beatles?
You’d probably want to listen to any of the artists suggested with your characters in mind before you make any kind of decisions though…
Re: As a seventeen year old….(high rant-factor)
I would NEVER have a character I wrote listen to Britney Spears. Even I know better than that! ; )
And I don’t think she would listen to “Pop”-style artists, especially really popular ones, because it wouldn’t be her style. She’s one of those girls who people think of as “sweet and cute” who doesn’t see herself that way. She’s intelligent, wants to major in journalism in college, but she’s not too intellectual or deadly serious.
She’s got spunk, but she’s mellow, somewhat adventurous, and definitely not into music that is shocking for the sake of the shock.
Sounds like you have a pretty good feel for who this person is going to be! Which is always the best place to start I feel…
I’ll be looking forward to reading this! Keep up the excellent work!
Re: As a seventeen year old female…(high rant-factor)
Well, when I was a 17-year old white female living in the ‘burbs, I NEVER listened to any Pop/”Top 40″ music. I thought it was all crap. And if I listened to any American bands, they were local punk/alternative groups (I lived in the L.A. area). Mostly I listened to obscure British alternative (we called it “New Wave” in those days).
I imagine my 17-year-old character is a little more mainstream than I was, but the character apples don’t fall far from the writer tree. ; )
They most certainly do. What’s great is the massive music search station. It’s a touch screen, type in the artist and select from albums from them and they give :30 clips to nearly everything they have cataloged. For longer listening you’ll have to locate the individual listening station, which are usually what’s selling well or what’s new.
Cool
I think with most of these, 30 seconds (of several different songs/albums) is enough to get the feel of the artist’s style, or to remember, “Hey, I heard that song before”.
Anything deeper than that, and it’s on the level of lyrics, which I assume I can look up on the web.
Re: Not just a college thing
So which of us is going to be Alanis’ head cheerleader? Maybe in the spirit of “Utopia” we can do it together?
This spring is so going to rock. I get Alanis’ new CD and hopefully (fingers crossed) Collective Soul’s new one will be out too. And then there are tours. YEAH!!!!! It’s been too long since I’ve been to a concert. The last one was Goo Goo Dolls Labor Day Weekend. There are only a few bands that I will put up with crowds for.
For some reason, my husband actually remembers buying “Jagged Little Pill.” Right now he is trying to figure out my favorite song on “Under Rug Swept.” (The Answer: Surrendering)
you can do that on line as well at towerrecords.com.
Another thing to do is check out albums at Amazon.com and see what other artists people who bought something buy.
Then there is always the fun world of bittorrent (big evil grin)
for the non-teens, you can check out vh1.com
Re: Actually…
You can add Lil Kim (and her naked boobie) for rebellion. For Moulin Rouge, Christina Aguilera/Pink/Mya/Lil’ Kim are the ones that sing “Lady Marmalade.” Any of them would be good for her friend.
You can contrast the smart one by doing Brittany Spears/No Doubt/??/Mary. J Blige.
both Mary J. Blige and Lil Kim are the faces of Viva Glam, a lipstick that raises money for the M.A.C. AIDS fund.
Another contrast between the girls could be Hole/Courtney love vs. Garbage/Shirley Manson
I don’t think that only one character should be allowed to listen to each group. It might show some common threads if they have similar interests in bands, even if those interests are generated for different reasons.
Hubby suggests Radiohead for artsy hippie chick. She might even still listen to REM.
Re: Not just a college thing
My favorite song on “Under Rug Swept” is a toss-up between “Narcissus,” “Hands Clean” (a song which I love because it sounds so pretty and poppy but actually has quite dark undertones), and “Surrendering,” depending on what day it is. I love all of them though.
Oh, and…
…we can share the head cheerleader job…as long as you’ve seen the “Feast on Scraps” concert DVD at least three times. If you haven’t, you need to do that first! 😉
Make a choice damnit
You are lucky you aren’t a girl. I can just see you in front of your closet trying to figure out what outfit to wear. Forget about deciding on shoes and make-up, let alone accessories. How is Roberta going to wear her hair today? Does this purse go with these shoes? Maybe I shouldn’t even bring a purse, but then the outfit just looks incomplete. Do I look fat? This skirt makes my hips look fat, like a gigantic potato. I need to stay away from browns…and silvers. Then I look like a big baked potato…and butter.
Re: Oh, and…
That would require me to get Battlestar Galactica and Wiggly Safari out of it long enough to watch it again.
BTW
If you ever do want to revisit your angsty youth AND buy some new music might I recommend Interpol? Just came out last year and they sound very Joy Division/early Depeche Mode.
I have trouble getting those on-line music samples to work. Like at Amazon and other places, they have a link to click to hear a 30-second music blurb, and they never work on my computer. I think I have the wrong software.
Finally, a band I listen to!
It’s like, “Hey, yeah… REM… Stevie Nicks… the Beatles”. I could have at least one character who is kind of retro, into Motown or 80’s alternative or something.
And I do have a few 40-somethings in my novel, but I wasn’t going to dwell too much on their musical interests, even though I’d be more familiar with those.
Re: BTW
Interpol. Now there’s an interesting name for a band. I remember the first time my dad hear that there was a band called “The Police”. He said, “Shouldn’t they be called the ‘anti-police’?”
Re: Thanks!
Michelle Branch played “Goodbye to You” in the Bronze at the end of Tabula Rasa (cut to Giles leaving, Tara packing and Buffy kissing Spike).
I can’t think (of the top of my head) if any of the others listed were on Buffy. It’s scary enough that I know this 🙂
Your early twenties hippie might listen to Ani Difranco and/or Mazzy Star (who incidently are another BTVS favorite – Dawn’s first kiss among other scenes).
Re: Thanks!
Yes, I remember that Michelle Branch was the artist who performed in that ep, mainly because other people pointed it out specifically on the board afterwards and I remembered liking that song (although not the circumstances around it. *sob*!)
Other than Sarah Maclaughlan and a few of the bands from seasons 1 and 2 who were on the first BtVS soundtrack CD put out though, I am clueless!
Thanks for the info!
Okay, okay!
I choose “Hands Clean,” which I know is cliche to do, since it was the first single, but it’s one of the prettiest songs I’ve ever heard, and that counts for something.
Re: Okay, okay!
You sound like Angel when Lorne asked him why he chose Barry Manilow. 😉
I was thinking…
that if there are some artists or songs that you’re interested in, you should make an inquiry amongst LJ-land or board-land about them. I may not have the broadest selection of music out there but I have a lot of contemporary R&B, classical jazz, a little hip-hop, contemporary rock and some alternative and so on. I wouldn’t mind running off copies of cd’s and sending them to you.
Thanks for the offer
I think what I will do is go over the suggestions in this LJ post here, then go to the record store and preview specific artists. If I want a copy of some specific songs, I’ll ask you or others to help me out.
Although at this point, the whole thing seems to overwhelming I might just go back to plan A: make up my own imaginary musical artists and bands. You can’t date your novel if you make it up!
Re: Thanks for the offer
Making up your own artists and bands would be a good solution to the dating dilemma. Then the reader can just fill in what that group would sound a bit like.