Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Farewell transmission: Push your musical boundaries

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at [email protected] or (702) 259-2309.

For the past three years I've done my best to keep Las Vegas Sun readers well-informed on Southern Nevada's ever-expanding music scene.

I've reviewed more than 200 concerts, ranging from the Rolling Stones' much-ballyhooed stopover at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel to the Acid Mothers Temple's virtually ignored invasion of tiny Cafe Roma.

I've interviewed legions of musicians, from world-famous celebs such as Bette Midler and B.B. King to under-the-radar types such as Dilated Peoples' DJ Babu and Panamanian jazzman Danilo Perez.

And I've shined a light on local acts, from the wildly successful Killers (before and after they hit it big) to hopefuls such as the Chapter and the Day After.

I'll still be working on those same sorts of stories. But starting Monday, I'll be writing them for the Sun's sister publication, Las Vegas Weekly.

As I prepare to move across the street, my fundamental message remains constant: Keep your ears wide open and never stop seeking out new sounds.

We live in a time when an infinite number of unheard tunes are just a mouse click away, so take full advantage.

Gone are the days when you're forced to plunk down $15 or $20 for a CD, only to realize you like only one of its tracks. Samples are readily available for most releases, and individual songs can be easily purchased online.

The onus to push your musical boundaries, however, rests squarely on you. Don't settle for just the music you know you like, however much you might like it. Life's too short to be singing Bob Seger songs forever.

If you've spent years listening to classic rock, try something by the Clash or X and see if punk rock might be appealing. Forget the safety pins and mohawks you might associate with that scene and really listen to the music.

Already a fan of melodic punk? Try Black Flag or Bad Brains and see if hardcore might bring a welcome change of pace.

Work forward and back through music's rich history. If you dig the Pixies, check out the Minutemen and Husker Du, then spin a Pavement or Superchunk CD.

If you're into country music, don't settle for the glossy, over-produced fare on the radio. Delve into the genre's roots, or maybe dial up some alt-country cuts from Wilco or Neko Case. If that works for you, push further, on to indie folk-rockers such as Will Oldham or Chan Marshall and see where they take you.

Like smooth jazz? Pick up a copy of Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" and start expanding your comfort zone a bit. Already familiar with that landmark disc? Try some John Coltrane. Then Ornette Coleman. Then Sun Ra.

If hip-hop's your bag, extend your reach beyond MTV faves Eminem and Ludacris by visiting the underground, where MF Doom, Aceyalone and the rappers of the Def Jux label reign supreme. Or see how the new school stands up to Rakim, KRS-One and the rest of the genre's golden-age elders.

Plenty of amazing music comes from other countries, and not just those where English is spoken. You don't have to understand what a vocalist from Africa or Latin America is singing to feel a piece's impact in your heart and soul.

And there are tons of great tunes with no lyrics at all, be it a down-tempo, electronic texture from Autechre and Boards of Canada or a slow-building, post-rock epic from Tortoise and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

No matter how old you are, don't let anyone tell you you're too old for new music. Plenty of contemporary acts aren't aiming their music at teenagers.

No matter how young you are, don't be afraid to research the founding fathers. Most of my first ear-opening musical experiences came when I unearthed my parents' record collection, and started learning about the Beatles, Marvin Gaye and Scott Joplin.

Every Friday in the Sun, my "Patterson's Picks" column spotlighted a favored album, 118 of them to be exact. And I only scratched the surface of my own musical tastes.

I intended to write about Neutral Milk Hotel, the Jesus and Mary Chain and Emmylou Harris, among at least a thousand others. But even as I wrote about the discs I love, I was discovering new gems, in my never-ending search for music that moves me.

Of course, I don't really expect many to share my level of insatiable musical curiosity. But even if you only uncover one or two artists a year whose work hits you in all the right places, you'll be glad you went searching.

For me, the quest continues next week at the Las Vegas Weekly. Hope to see all of you there.

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