Twentysomething in the Music Biz

Beastie Boys were an intricate part of my musical evolution. I remember being in 5th grade (I think???) and browsing The Wall (the CD store) for the one copy of Ill Communication that didn’t have the Explicit Lyrics sticker on it, so I could convince my mom to get it for me for being on the Honor Roll that month in school. And to be honest, I hadn’t thought about them for over a year until I read this post Ian Rogers wrote on the Topspin blog about Paul’s Boutique.

After I finished, I kept thinking, “well what’s my Paul’s Boutique?” In other words, what band, album, or musical entity got me so into music that I had to make a career of it for myself?

Part of me wants me to say it was listening to Less Than Jake’s Losing Streak in 6th grade. I always prided myself in diverting from the mainstream and being ahead of the curve in musical taste. A lot of my friends give me shit for hating things that people like or that are popular in general, but there’s something about being part of something small that makes it special. I’m not saying Less Than Jake are the best band ever or that Losing Streak in any way comparable to he quality of Paul’s Boutique, but it’s “my” Paul’s Boutique. It made me passionate about music for something more than a hobby and knocked over the first domino of musical curiosity and exploration.

So now my question for you is, what’s your Losing Streak?