For the past few nights I have been crashing at the apartment of two truly great friends, Nate and Holly Pelz. Nate is the older brother of my long-time best friend Phil Pelz, and Holly is Nate’s wife. When Phil and I were younger, we always listened to Nate for advice on what was “cool” to do, or “cool” to wear, or most importantly, “cool” to listen to. Looking back now, I realize how terrible of a decision it was to ever listen to Nate, I mean look at this guy …
^Nate
Just kidding. Nate is honestly one of the most knowledgable people I personally know when it comes to music. Not entirely in the sense of what is trending at the time, or necessarily what is “popular” with Billboard, but in his knowledge of song and music itself. Nate studied music. He went to school for it. He has years and years of experience in playing music, whether it be in a band or by himself. I also know his father very well, and know how music was embedded into Nate’s skull from a very early age. The thing I respect and like most about Nate’s opinions on music, is that they are his own. He doesn’t read Pitchfork, Stereogum, or other music websites/blogs. Hell, he hardly reads this blog and he is a very close friend of mine, not to mention friends with the other two founders as well. Nate has the right to be a pretentious music snob more than anyone I know, yet he doesn’t hold his opinions higher than anyone else’s. He would never throw any of his scholastic background or his personal experience into any discussion or argument.
I love talking and discussing music with Nate because even if we disagree terribly on something, it will still always lead to a great conversation(/argument). This is why I’ve tried to get him to write numerous times for LxL, and since he refuses to do so, I had to take matters into my own hands. Last night I asked Nate to go through and pick out random songs he loves and is listening to right now. I would then ask him to just give me a brief 1-2 sentence description on why he loves each of those songs. Here was the result, and this week’s (extended) LxListening playlist:
1. Kings of Leon – “Trani”
Nate’s Response: This song totally defines a slow southern type of rock. It moves so slow and simple … I love it.
2. Manchester Orchestra – “I Can Feel A Hot One”
Nate’s Response: Music is all about the feeling, it’s all so subjective. This song makes me feel sad, and I don’t even know why.
3. Miles Kane – “Rearrange”
Nate’s Response: This song has got such a great Brit-rock vibe. Storyteller type. I like music like that.
4. Stone Roses – “Love Spreads”
Nate’s Response: This song is like a Guy Ritchie movie. I just want to walk down the street and beat the shit out of somebody when I hear it. You know, like Brad Pitt, just walking down the street and BAM! *Nate acts like he is shooting a shotgun*
5. Tom Petty – “Saving Grace”
Nate’s Response: Just one of the best live bands ever. They do everything right. Tons of space for guitar players to just go, and his voice is so unique and great. They are always flying under the radar when we talk about great music, but they shouldn’t be.
6. The Troggs – “I Can’t Control Myself”
Nate’s Response: “When I’m with you I can’t control myself” … best line. I love it cause when I’m a dirty old man, I’ll just sing this to Holly.
^I’d imagine that will look about like this … only creepier because Nate will be all old and shriveled then
7. Wishbone Ash – “Throw Down the Sword”
Nate’s Response: Pinnacle 70′s guitar harmonies and spacey jams. Just a great jam.
8. Kasabian – “Re-wired”
Nate’s Response: Straight up Brit-pop-rock. It also makes me want to be punching people in the face again.
9. Incubus – “Certain Shade of Green”
Nate’s Response: >> Holly (Nate’s wife) Interjects: — Nate and I used to make out to this song.
Me: Violently?
Nate: Yes … very violently.
10. Empire of the Sun – “Walking On a Dream”
Nate’s Response: I hate this song, but Holly loves it. After I heard it enough I just decided I think it’s fun though. And she likes it so it’s fun for us.
11. The Darkness – “Friday Night”
Nate’s Response: Any song that can pull off saying “extra circular actives” in a line is instantly amazing.
12.The Click Five – “Friday Night”
Nate’s Response: Every song of theirs is exactly the same, its ridiculous. Plus it’s like having 5 Justin Biebers all in one band.
13. Buddy Guy – “I Got A Problem”
**^Can’t find footage of the actual song …
Nate’s Response: Yea, he’s amazing at guitar, but he “has a problem with his women, AND he has a problem with his wife” (laughs) …. “It takes two women to satisfy a man!” … (laughs as Holly leaves the room)
14. Beady Eye – “The Roller”
Nate’s Response: He doesnt care about copying his sound, (referring to John Lennon) and he does it disgustingly well.
15. Albert King – “Born Under A Bad Sign”
Nate’s Response: All blues solos essentially came from this song.
16. Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds – “Dream On”
Nate’s Response: “Dream On” is the song you want to be playing live and have everyone singing the chorus back to you. He (Noel) is the best songwriter alive. You can say he copies, but really he is taking good music that’s been done and recreating and just making it his own.
17. Oasis – “F**king in the Bushes”
Nate’s Response: Guy Ritchie Movie … for real this time.
18. Oasis – “Mucky Fingers”
Nate’s Response: Just straight forward music. 3 chords, great distorion, crazy harmonies … It’s pure music.
Some things are clear about Nate’s taste in music from this playlist: He loves Brit-rock, he loves the history of music, and he really loves Oasis. What you don’t see is that we also listened to Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance last night. We also listened to Beatles covers, K’Naan, and song about 50 Cent being the greatest rapper alive. Sure Nate has his favorites, but you can’t pin him down by any means. I loved all of his responses above, but my favorite was his second. It sums up why I love Nate’s opinions on music so much in the first place and why we are able to have the conversations about music that we do … it also sums up everything I hope to get across in this article: “Music is all about the feeling, it’s all so subjective. This song makes me feel sad, and I don’t even know why.”
Thanks for reading!
