Generational Vinyl

girl in red and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

There are two unavoidable truths about getting older: Cool as self identity begins to shift (sometimes re-defined, sometimes the feeling that it is no more); and you are ultimately in conflict with the one demographic you once considered your tribe, the teenager. These two facts are never more abundantly clear than when you have a teenage daughter.

But for all of the evolutions in self-awareness and conflicts with that which was once your tribe, you find the moments and things that make you feel not-so-uncool and that which creates a bond with that teenager.

For my daughter and me, it is movies and music. These two vinyl selections are not from my collection, rather from my daughter’s.

The first was a Valentines gift from me. girl in red, real name Marie Ulven Ringheim, is a Norwegian artist known for her deeply emotional songwriting, DIY producing from her bedroom and LGBTQ advocacy within the genre best described as Indie Pop. This record was a specially released 45 with one song, We Fell in Love in October, the produced version and the original demo. It comes with a note from the artist explaining the origins of the song.

The second was a birthday gift to memorialize the first concert I took my daughter to. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an Indie Rock band from NYC that are best known for the technologically complex guitar composition of Nick Zinner and the powerful vocals of Karen O. This record is the re-release of the band’s 2003 debut album Fever to Tell with additional sleaves filled with artwork.

Kind of Cool, right?