When I was younger, I sort of kept up with the movie and music scene. I would buy new music from artists I like. I would go to the movies on a fairly regular basis. I would even read new books. But, as the years went by, I stopped buying music. We rarely go to the movies. Even with Netflix, I have a difficult time keeping up with the latest releases (or as is the case of Canadian Netflix, catch up with movies released a few years ago).
The thing is, there are always artists out there creating new art. Music, books, movies, video games, television shows. We only have so much time to enjoy these things. Add to this, real life. We want to (should) get out and experience the real world as well. Travel, exercise, spend time with friends and family. Some of the cultural activities can be enjoyed with other people, like going to the movies, but if you want to read a book, it requires a bit of hermitting.
I used to listen to the radio a lot. Usually CBC was my way of finding out about new musicians. The problem is the only time I get to listen to the radio is in the car. I find listening to the radio requires some attention, and if I am reading, or watching TV, I am not hearing the radio. If I am playing with my children, I am usually not engaged in what is on the radio either. I have discussed why I love to listen to podcasts while exercising already.
As this is the beginning of the year, many people have been compiling "best of the year" lists. Jian Ghomeshi has a list on the Q blog of the top 20 albums for 2012. Once again, I find myself not recognizing many of the artists. I have heard of half of the musicians, and probably have only heard songs from a quarter of the albums on the list. It saddens me a little, as I used to keep up with new music. I am not talking top 40 hits here, as you may have surmised.
In Sudbury, the only radio stations not playing Top 40 are the CBC frequencies. At year end, you can hear American Top 40, and Rick D's so many times you will be singing the songs before they air. What I am sad about is not keeping up with the amazing musicians who do not always make it to the Top 40, and rarely get air time around here.
When we are down in Toronto, I tend to listen to 102.1 The Edge because they play music not heard up here. They will play Metric, Of Men and Monster, and Mumford and Sons. The rock station in Sudbury still plays Bon Jovi from the 80s. If you were missing out on hearing You Give Love a Bad Name, listen to Q92 and you'll be sure to hear it at least once a day. The radio music scene is dismal in smaller towns, and I love CBC for changing this.
My father listens to The Signal, on CBC Radio 2, with Laurie Brown. You might remember her from Much Music, again back in the 80s. I might have to start listening to her. What I heard while visiting my parents was great. For now, my goal is to listen to at least one song from each of the albums Jian reccomended. I think I might be able to find video, or audio on the Q website.
http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/qs-top-20-albums-of-2012/
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