August 15th, 2012
The 2012 Music Issue’s “Hey, What’cha Been Listening To?” Yields Some Pretty Great Results
Not sure if y’all noticed but it’s Wednesday, and out there in honor boxes now is a new Music Issue for your consumption. It’s a doozy. One of the simplest but most entertaining pieces inside is a collection of Q&As from Philadelphia Tastemakers and big names. We simply asked about their first record purchased, their last record purchased, a favorite Philly act and venue, and what they’ve been listening heavily. Some responded with simple one-phrase answers, one title, one act, one record they’ve been listening to on repeat. But others, naturally, spread out a little and waxed about their love for all things Philly. We even got Mayor Nutter, and heyyy, he’s got some hip-hop taste.
A few things we learned? The older folks are looking for seats (often times at venues that don’t exist anymore). SO MANY first records purchased were old-school hip-hop records. Just about everyone’s been listening to Frank Ocean. And The Roots are extremely well-loved. Before I cut and paste a few faves, here are my answers:
First record purchased: My dad had a subscription to a mail-order CD catalogue called BMG. For some reason I’d seen the video for 2 Pac’s “I Get Around” and felt like I needed to have Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. I was 11.
Last record purchased: I bought Dead Can Dance’s Anastasis on iTunes yesterday.
Favorite Philly Act: P!nk.
Favorite Philly Venue: For a seat with a drink? World Cafe. For a 1,000-large crowd? Union Transfer. For a tight-spaced kinetic show? JB’s.
Now in heavy rotation: Yup, Frank Ocean, too. Nostalgia and Orange. Fantasea. Hot Chip’s In Our Heads. Always heavy is Amy, Robyn, Bey and Kylie.
A few gems:
MAYOR MICHAEL A. NUTTER, City of Philadelphia
First record purchased: The Jackson 5. Can’t recall the title.
Last record purchased: My last download was Laura Izibor’s The Brooklyn Sessions, Vol. 1.
Favorite Philly act: The Roots.
Favorite Philly venue: The Dell Music Center.
Now in heavy rotation: My own hip-hop/rap mixtape, with DJ Kool, Jay-Z, Public Enemy, Kool Moe Dee, The Roots, The Sugarhill Gang and Gil Scott-Heron.
KEVIN BACON, Actor/Director/Musician
First record purchased: The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Last record purchased: John Mayer, Born and Raised.
Favorite Philly act: Hall and Oates.
Favorite Philly venue: Electric Factory.
Now in heavy rotation: Frank Ocean, Channel Orange.
ZAC RINALDO, Center, Philadelphia Flyers
First record purchased: Eminem, D12.
Last record purchased: Rick Ross, God Forgives, I Don’t.
Favorite Philly act: None off the top of my head.
Favorite Philly venue: Wells Fargo Center.
Now in heavy rotation: Old school Lil Wayne.
ZACH MILLER, Keyboardist, Dr. Dog
First record purchased : The first piece of music I can remember owning is an MC Hammer cassette single: “U Can’t Touch This” b/w “Up With Hope (Down With Dope).” It came free when you bought a pair of BK shoes. I would play that cassette over and over while playing Brickles or Lode Runner on the computer.
Last record purchased: Ty Segall Band, Slaughterhouse.
Favorite Philly act: (Past) The Teeth; (present) Purling Hiss.
Favorite Philly venue: Johnny Brenda’s.
Now in heavy rotation: Ty Segall, Mikal Cronin.
FATIN DANTZLER, Kindred the Family Soul
First record purchased: Probably Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Last record purchased: Nas’ new CD.
Favorite Philly act: Today, Bilal and The Roots; back in the day, Teddy Pendergrass and The O’Jays.
Favorite Philly venue: Although they never book me, World Cafe Live is probably the classiest.
Now in heavy rotation: Chuck Brown, The Best of Chuck Brown.
