Spotlight #1: Anna

I’ve always focused on the rock artists and their music but one area of the rock world that tends to get ignored are the listeners themselves. After seeing Adrienne Salinger’s 1995 book “In My Room: Teenagers in their Bedrooms”, I got the idea to begin interviewing everyday rock fans that range from teens to early/mid 20s. The idea is to show how rock music effects the everyday youth and how the bedroom can be a space for self-expression and ownership.

After thinking this project through, I decided to create this fan spotlight page to reflect these things.

This week’s first feature is on Anna, a high schooler whose relationship with rock music has spanned back to her toddler years!

Interviewer: What does your bedroom mean to you?

Anna: To me, my bedroom is the safe space for all my crafts and shenanigans. It is also a place where I can display all my collections, whether it be posters, dolls, trinkets, or art! I am happiest when I am surrounded by the things that I love to look at! So naturally, my room is the perfect space for me to decorate and love!

Interviewer: How does your bedroom represent you as a person?

Anna: It completely boggles my mind that the room I have is the same place I would walk around and sleep in as a little girl! Though it has been rearranged and redecorated many times, I can still point out posters that I hung as a little toddler, standing on a stool, struggling to grip scotch tape in my little fingers. My room has watched me grow up and for that reason, it truly represents who I am as an individual! 

Interviewer: Who are your favorite rock artists/bands that you enjoy?

Anna: My favorite rock bands are NOFX, Bikini Kill, and ALL!

Interviewer: People have different ways rock music has been brought into their lives. Whether that’s if you were raised on it or discovered it on your own. What is your relationship with rock music?

Anna: Growing up, my parents introduced me to a lot of alternative music. I was raised on a lot of They Might Be Giants, R.E.M, and Cocteau Twins, but the older I got, the more I started to listen to punk, metal, and folk! I’ve listened to rock consistently, throughout basically my entire life, but the first rock band that I really got into was Nirvana! I remember going to a record store for the first time with my dad when I was about 10 and taking my allowance that I had saved for three weeks (all in quarters, of course). I bought a used, $7 cassette player and a Nevermind tape. When I went up to pay, the record store owner looked at the cassette, me, and then my dad. He pointed it at me and said, “You picked this out by yourself?”, I nodded, then he looked back at my dad and said, “Good god, maybe there IS hope in this generation.” I didn’t get the joke at the time, but now, I hold that memory so dear to my heart.

Interviewer: Have you ever been to a live rock show? If so, what’s the craziest or most memorable experience you’ve had?

Anna: I always go to shows when I can find them! The best experience I had was at my second They Might Be Giants show! The show was in the middle of a hockey rink, and everyone was encouraged to dress up in weird costumes and try to scare each other, only, it wasn’t Halloween. On top of this, everyone was wearing these weird floppy paper hats that said “THEY” in bubble letters. By far, I was one of the strangest, yet coolest shows I have ever been to!  The craziest experience I ever had was at a local hardcore show, held at a skatepark. I was moshing and apparently, ran into some dude’s spiky ring. I looked down at my right hand and saw a 1/2-inch gash between two knuckles! I bled all over my friend and I’s t-shirts and at one point was sitting outside the venue with my friend, clutching my hand, contemplating if I needed stitches. Our final diagnosis was that stitches were a good idea, but a couple butterfly bandages and a whole lot of loving would do just fine! Despite the momentary panic, I still had a great night and everyone who saw my knuckle was so sweet and checked up on me!

Interviewer: If you were trapped on an Island, what three albums are you bringing?

Anna:  If I was trapped on an island, the three albums I would bring are: The Aftermath (by Dystopia), Remember That I Love You (by Kimya Dawson), and No Gods/ No Managers (by Choking Victim)! The Aftermath is one of my favorite grind/hardcore albums ever!!! No Gods/ No Managers is the best album from one of the finest ska punk/ melodic hardcore bands to ever walk the earth!!!! Finally, Remember That I Love You is one of the sweetest, most genuine folk albums that I have heard. Kimya Dawson is so special to me and takes the sad things of the world and writes about them in such a raw and human, yet beautiful manner.

Interviewer: Which rock artists are you bringing to a family dinner?  Why?

Anna: I would bring John Flansburgh from They Might Be Giants to a family dinner. He is so funny, yet so smart and caring. On top of that, everybody loves Flansy in my family!

Interviewer: What’s one thing off your musical bucket list you’d like to do?

Anna:  I hope to one day see Mommy Long Legs play live! At every show, they would dress up in funny wigs and dollar store tiaras. They are so girly, yet so unapologetic and punk!