When Did I Become Old? (Long Post)

[nilorius]

When you want to or when you die.

 

[Robscott]

I took the week off to do some yard work before the summer is over and my wife was joking with me as we ate breakfast, “When was the last time you listened to new music?”

I laughed and said “Well, I listen to a modern jazz radio station (Jazz FM 91 The Grooveyard, which plays more jazz fusion/jazz-funk kind of music. I highly recommend it if that’s your thing) and they play newer stuff. I also listen to Esperanza Spalding, and other newer jazz stuff.”

She laughed, “That’s old people music. When was the last time you listened to new music? When you started being a musician did you ever think you would not be on the cutting edge of music?”

I had to think, and she was right. What got me to buy a bass was learning Pink Floyd’s bassline to “Money” on my acoustic 6 string, but the band I really cut my teeth on were the Arctic Monkeys and at the time (their first and second album) were really different to everything I had heard before and it was real refreshing. At the time, I was playing towards joining a band of that style.

My music taste evolved as I got older to 70’s Prog Rock (Rush, King Crimson, Yes, etc), older Rock/Metal, Classical Music, and Jazz. I pretty much despise all new music (except for new releases of the older styles I like). In my teens, I also loved 90’s hip hop/rap, but feel that hip hop has also tanked since around 2005.

Anyways, after I ate breakfast, I went outside to do my yard work. I turned on this Grooveyard station on my iPhone. A few hours later, my wife came out to see how I was doing, and joked around about listening to this old music again.

A minute later, a real sweet neighbour we have (a married, Christian couple in their 60’s, give or take), came over to talk to use and the wife screamed, “Oh, you’re jazzing it up back here!” And she put her hands in there air and started dancing.

After they left and my wife went in, I couldn’t help but feeling like my Dad. I’m 34 years old, and while that number sounds old to my old teenage self. I don’t feel old at all. I’m immature as hell. I still watch Marvel movies and saw the new trailer for Bumblebee (the new Transformers spin-off movie NOT directed by Michael Bay), and was very happy to see OG Starscream will be in it.

So, when the hell did I turn old? If I had to pin-point it to an age. I’d say it was around the time I turned 30...

I’m curious if generations before me found themselves listening to similar type music they grew up on, or matured and listened to older music around the time they turned 30; or if the good music of the day kept their interest in new music?

My wife is my age and she loves new music, but we don’t listen to music the same. She listens it to it passively as she drives or works out. She likes uptempo stuff that gets her dancing. I don’t dance. I listen to stuff that inspires my musical endeavours.

Thoughts?

Jeez man, I took up the bass when

i agree with RichardW - ya like what ya like. it doesn't make you old or young - i had neighbors in their early 20s who listened to mostly stuff from the early '70s.

i'm 61, and i like music from now and then. back in the early '70s, i loved alice cooper, frank zappa, some zep and creedence, captain beefheart, joni mitchell's ladies of the canyon and a variety of music including pop, electronica, show tunes and some classical, folk, country and jazz. my first album was a gift from a friend - beatles 65, and that same year someone gave me the monkees first album.

but there's also imo lots to love about music from the '80s and '90s, including grunge, punk and alternative, and i like lots of stuff from the last twenty years including korn, muse, and one of my fave tunes from the last few years is uptown funk, i like mackelmore's thrift shop, gangnam style is fun, and earlier in this decade couldn't get enough of system of a down's toxicity - great album.

I took the week off to do some yard work before the summer is over and my wife was joking with me as we ate breakfast, “When was the last time you listened to new music?”

I laughed and said “Well, I listen to a modern jazz radio station (Jazz FM 91 The Grooveyard, which plays more jazz fusion/jazz-funk kind of music. I highly recommend it if that’s your thing) and they play newer stuff. I also listen to Esperanza Spalding, and other newer jazz stuff.”

She laughed, “That’s old people music. When was the last time you listened to new music? When you started being a musician did you ever think you would not be on the cutting edge of music?”

I had to think, and she was right. What got me to buy a bass was learning Pink Floyd’s bassline to “Money” on my acoustic 6 string, but the band I really cut my teeth on were the Arctic Monkeys and at the time (their first and second album) were really different to everything I had heard before and it was real refreshing. At the time, I was playing towards joining a band of that style.

My music taste evolved as I got older to 70’s Prog Rock (Rush, King Crimson, Yes, etc), older Rock/Metal, Classical Music, and Jazz. I pretty much despise all new music (except for new releases of the older styles I like). In my teens, I also loved 90’s hip hop/rap, but feel that hip hop has also tanked since around 2005.

Anyways, after I ate breakfast, I went outside to do my yard work. I turned on this Grooveyard station on my iPhone. A few hours later, my wife came out to see how I was doing, and joked around about listening to this old music again.

A minute later, a real sweet neighbour we have (a married, Christian couple in their 60’s, give or take), came over to talk to use and the wife screamed, “Oh, you’re jazzing it up back here!” And she put her hands in there air and started dancing.

After they left and my wife went in, I couldn’t help but feeling like my Dad. I’m 34 years old, and while that number sounds old to my old teenage self. I don’t feel old at all. I’m immature as hell. I still watch Marvel movies and saw the new trailer for Bumblebee (the new Transformers spin-off movie NOT directed by Michael Bay), and was very happy to see OG Starscream will be in it.

So, when the hell did I turn old? If I had to pin-point it to an age. I’d say it was around the time I turned 30...

I’m curious if generations before me found themselves listening to similar type music they grew up on, or matured and listened to older music around the time they turned 30; or if the good music of the day kept their interest in new music?

My wife is my age and she loves new music, but we don’t listen to music the same. She listens it to it passively as she drives or works out. She likes uptempo stuff that gets her dancing. I don’t dance. I listen to stuff that inspires my musical endeavours.

Thoughts?

Jeez man, I didn't even take up the bass till I was 66 (not in a band situation anyways). You like what you like, that doesn't make you old. What makes you old is when you listen to rubbishy new music cos you think it will make you seem young. BTW there are a lot of young dudes out there right now digging 60s R&B, Funk and Disco, old school rock and all that, cos they actually agree with you about the relative quality of "old" and "new" music. Don't write it all off though, not till you've listened to Ozric Tentacles anyways. Long live Aretha!

 

[DrayMiles]

And the other option, other than being old is better?
Instead of progressive music you’ll be listening to harps and vocals.

 

[stringthrough]

If a song sounds good to you, enjoy it. Shouldn't matter when it was recorded, who recorded it or what age you are.

If newer recordings don't appeal to you, so be it. It has nothing to do with your age. Either you've evolved or music has de-evolved.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

We don't stop playing because we get old; we get old because we stop playing.

Funny thing, at age 65, I’m playing as much as I ever have, and in front of a lot more people. I might not be as pyrotechnic as a player as I once was and visually have the entertainment value of a potted plant, I’m a much better player.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I’m 68. I feel old when my back hurts. As far as Music, I’m not crazy about much of what I hear these last two decades but that doesn’t make me feel old at all. I feel grateful that I grew up with such great music.

 

[Kmonk]

I'll be 58 next week. My wife is 50. I mostly listen to the same music I was listening to in high school through my 30s. My wife listens to new music and older music.

 

[bassstrangler]

There's a simple answer, you've just matured.

 

[Pbassmanca]

I took the week off to do some yard work before the summer is over and my wife was joking with me as we ate breakfast, “When was the last time you listened to new music?”

I laughed and said “Well, I listen to a modern jazz radio station (Jazz FM 91 The Grooveyard, which plays more jazz fusion/jazz-funk kind of music. I highly recommend it if that’s your thing) and they play newer stuff. I also listen to Esperanza Spalding, and other newer jazz stuff.”

She laughed, “That’s old people music. When was the last time you listened to new music? When you started being a musician did you ever think you would not be on the cutting edge of music?”

I had to think, and she was right. What got me to buy a bass was learning Pink Floyd’s bassline to “Money” on my acoustic 6 string, but the band I really cut my teeth on were the Arctic Monkeys and at the time (their first and second album) were really different to everything I had heard before and it was real refreshing. At the time, I was playing towards joining a band of that style.

My music taste evolved as I got older to 70’s Prog Rock (Rush, King Crimson, Yes, etc), older Rock/Metal, Classical Music, and Jazz. I pretty much despise all new music (except for new releases of the older styles I like). In my teens, I also loved 90’s hip hop/rap, but feel that hip hop has also tanked since around 2005.

Anyways, after I ate breakfast, I went outside to do my yard work. I turned on this Grooveyard station on my iPhone. A few hours later, my wife came out to see how I was doing, and joked around about listening to this old music again.

A minute later, a real sweet neighbour we have (a married, Christian couple in their 60’s, give or take), came over to talk to use and the wife screamed, “Oh, you’re jazzing it up back here!” And she put her hands in there air and started dancing.

After they left and my wife went in, I couldn’t help but feeling like my Dad. I’m 34 years old, and while that number sounds old to my old teenage self. I don’t feel old at all. I’m immature as hell. I still watch Marvel movies and saw the new trailer for Bumblebee (the new Transformers spin-off movie NOT directed by Michael Bay), and was very happy to see OG Starscream will be in it.

So, when the hell did I turn old? If I had to pin-point it to an age. I’d say it was around the time I turned 30...

I’m curious if generations before me found themselves listening to similar type music they grew up on, or matured and listened to older music around the time they turned 30; or if the good music of the day kept their interest in new music?

My wife is my age and she loves new music, but we don’t listen to music the same. She listens it to it passively as she drives or works out. She likes uptempo stuff that gets her dancing. I don’t dance. I listen to stuff that inspires my musical endeavours.

Thoughts?

There is some great new music out there across all genres but I don't listen to a lot of it. I'm still trying to catch up with the massive catalogue of "old" music out there! By the way, I noticed that you're from Stoufville and I'll be there tonight playing a couple funk sets at the taste of Stoufville!

 

[Richard Martin]

You can no longer use music as a barometer to age. Before the digital age media would simply wear out, become broken or lost. It would slowly fade away. That no longer happens. Young people today are finding that Zep's Houses Of The Holy sounds just as good today as it did 50 years ago. And it's easily accessible. I'm 60. My 15 year old granddaughter knows some of the songs that my classic rock cover band plays. It's incredible.

 

[Matthew_84]

There is some great new music out there across all genres but I don't listen to a lot of it. I'm still trying to catch up with the massive catalogue of "old" music out there! By the way, I noticed that you're from Stoufville and I'll be there tonight playing a couple funk sets at the taste of Stoufville!

Where will that be? I have been stuck in my backyard for the last week and haven’t seen anything about it.

Edit: Googled it and see it’s in Memorial Park. A thunderstorm is supposed to roll in at around 3pm (maybe a bit later) and last for the rest of the night. What time are you guys going on?

 

[Sbassman Scratch]

I thought getting old would take longer

 

[Pbassmanca]

Where will that be? I have been stuck in my backyard for the last week and haven’t seen anything about it.

Edit: Googled it and see it’s in Memorial Park. A thunderstorm is supposed to roll in at around 3pm (maybe a bit later) and last for the rest of the night. What time are you guys going on?

We're on from 9 30 till' 11pm. I hope those thunderstorms don't shut the place down!!!

 

[Outbush]

Most rap and modern R&B don't do it for me. Otherwise there's music in every genre I like and I enjoy discovering new stuff. We have 2JJJ which breaks a lot of new music, much of which I like. Can't stand the bloody announcers though - superficial crap. If I want to hear 15 minutes of irrelevant waffle per song, instead of listening to "blah blah who's driving to the servo having lots of love for the new one that's just dropped", or that "classic

old-school ​

banger from 2017" I could just listen to the other station and hear ads about Bob's artificial insemination services. Is there some rule that you can't have more than half an hour of music every hour in Australia? I listen to Triple J when it was doubleJ on the AM, for Pete's sake...

Sod it. I've become old. Mutter mutter

 

[Matthew_84]

We're on from 9 30 till' 11pm. I hope those thunderstorms don't shut the place down!!!

I think it’s supposed to get pretty bad at around 8 or so. I’ll definitely swing by if the storm isn’t so bad. Do you know where you’re playing (on a stage, under a tent, etc)?

 

[Pbassmanca]

I think it’s supposed to get pretty bad at around 8 or so. I’ll definitely swing by if the storm isn’t so bad. Do you know where you’re playing (on a stage, under a tent, etc)?

I actually have no idea ; I'm hoping it's under a tent! Which reminds me, I should check and see if there is back line supplied, I hate taking my rig when there's the threat of rain.

 

[Matthew_84]

I actually have no idea ; I'm hoping it's under a tent! Which reminds me, I should check and see if there is back line supplied, I hate taking my rig when there's the threat of rain.

The website shows an image of a band playing on a covered stage, but you should definitely double-check... who knows where that image came from, lol.

 

[Tampabass]

I don't understand.

You're equating listening to Jazz as getting old?

I've loved Jazz (fusion, contemporary) since I was about 15. Love it to this day, along with a bunch of other genres.

So you've got an eclectic taste in music. To me, that's a good thing.

Exactly. Much jazz is far more innovative and forward thinking than the average pop/rock/rap.
Check out Robert Glasper, Snarky Puppy, Maria Schneider, Ambrose Akinmusire, etc.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

As far as "95% of what's on the radio is crap" or "I don't like most new music" I would like to point out that this was also true in earlier eras, and the stuff that people now associate with those eras is the 5% (or less) that wasn't utter crap. They/we conveniently forget the trash that was also on the airwaves.

While there is a rock-solid core of music I really like from the time I was in my teens and twenties, new stuff makes its way in; but actively seeking it out (as opposed to serendipitously finding it) tends to feel like wading through a sewer looking for flowers.

 

[Pbassmanca]

The website shows an image of a band playing on a covered stage, but you should definitely double-check... who knows where that image came from, lol.

We got rained out halfway through our set at Oshawa city hall last summer, and we were on a tiny covered stage but with no side walls on the tent, so the rain was pouring in. Luckily I brought a huge roll of thin poly sheeting and had pre cut big pieces for everyone to use to avoid disaster....