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Squeezing New Life into Indie

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By: Kendall | in: Music |

Auxiliary House

We listen to a lot of music here at The Plugg. A LOT! It’s probably safe to say that our spouses have the right to lose interest in all the crazy things that makes their way onto our iTunes and in our rides. Through all the listenings one strange fact remains true - the accordion has become the hipster’s instrument of choice. Check out Paste Magazine’s article on the subject here.

Weird Al’s First Television Appearance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNlOL8tBVL8

It’s not clear at this point if there is one specific influence that made this unlikely occurrence come to fruition, but fingers should be pointed at a few culprits. The first thing that comes to mind is that Weird Al had an undeniable hand in shaping the minds of youths for the past 30 some odd years. Who can deny the allure of a spazzy polka joke rocker? Apparently Weird Al is even the spokesperson for the digital versions of Roland’s new digital accordion collection.

The Decemberists - “The Mariner’s Revenge Song”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaNV7eCU2R0

A second theory is that the new music elite has been globalized and opened to more styles of musical genres, tastes, and instrumentation. Look at Beirut, who has been travelling the world since a young age honing his amazing skills. For another great example let’s take look at Decemberists who color their stylings slyly with the good ol’ squeezbox, which drops a heavy handed emotional difference whenver it’s used.

Beirut - “Nantes”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc3ZAs17uAg

The third thing could be simply, that everything goes in cycles, and in the search for a “new” sound in a world that has grown bored of typical hip hop and alternative rock, we had to reach back to the dorky and uncool or to an instrument that very few ever hear… until now.

Nirvana - “Jesus Don’t Want Me For A Sunbeam”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWDBFy08NYg


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Posted on July 11, 2008

Comments

One Response to “Squeezing New Life into Indie”

  1. DThompson on July 11th, 2008 11:55 am

    Pete Townshend’s demo for “Squeezebox” is almost 100% accordion and it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever heard.


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