I really love music, but it has been challenging to find new albums that I really love. One way I find new music is recommendations from other people.

Trish loves to mention that she turned me onto Nine Inch Nails. My friend Niki turned me onto The National and Loreena McKenitt. The late Chris “The Barbell Buddha” Moore turned me onto The Black Keys and The Gaslight Anthem. Not sure how I did not find The Gaslight Anthem sooner, I love that band!

One night I was at one of Jesus John & Whitney’s shows and I asked their (former) bassist what bands he liked. He did not want to tell me any bands because he didn’t want to be pigeonholed. I was confused; how does you telling me your favorite bands pigeonhole you? Are you concerned that I am pigeonholing you or are you pigeonholing yourself? (I never got to the bottom of this mystery.)

After I asked are there any artists he thinks I should listen to, he finally said that he liked the fact that Neil Young did his own thing. I guess that makes sense. If you are concerned about people categorizing you, you are more likely to value an artist who flouts convention. Oops, did I just pigeonhole him? Maybe there is something to this.

Do you ever hold back on being open to avoid being judged?