moment (album, performance, you “get” a music for the time?

by Mort Garson & Selected Ambient Works

Volume II by Aphex Twin.

“These were the first electronic/ambient albums I ever properly listened to! Considering that I mostly listened to music featuring conventional/ traditional Western instruments and vocals prior to hearing these albums, they both really showed me how textured and rich electronic music can be-that tools like synthesizers and drum machines, and that qualities such as atmosphere or texture,

Georgia Dillane, Publicity Director: listening to Jaimie Branch.

"My freshman and sophomore year roommate loves Jaimie Branch: she would talk to me about seeing her live when she was growing up, and how she would listen to her a lot. I had only briefly listened when I was first introduced, but it didn't sink into my skin the first couple of times. It was only after Jaimie passed last August that I really sat down and listened to her work and it was beautiful! and chaotic! and emotional! and I remember feeling a sense of regret for not having listened to her sooner— though it probably came right when it needed it. It was after this that I really starting exploring more of the new jazz/international anthem scene and reeeeeally appreciated the breadth and diversity of jazz music."

Ale Díaz-Pizarro, Station Manager: "When I Stop Dreaming" by the Louvin Brothers.

“Thanks to many a Honky Tonkin’ I sat in on and to the brilliant podcast Cocaine and Rhinestones, I’d been steadily getting into country music. One night, I was doing the dishes and listening to the episode on the Louvin Brothers when the host, Tyler Mahan Coe, began talking about blood harmony— the kind of sound that can only be accomplished by family members singing together. He then played the part of 'When I Stop Dreaming' that transitions from the first verse into the chorus. No big deal— except he then pointed out that it wasn’t that Charlie had joined Ira in on the higher harmony, but rather that Charlie had seamlessly taken up the melody while Ira had climbed up from the melody to the harmony. It was indistinguishable, and electrifying—I immediately replayed the song and just stood at the sink in awe. Every time I listen to it, I always brace myself for the switch and it never fails to get me. My ear for country music has only opened further since.

"Right Off" by Miles Davis.

"I was filling in the first few minutes of an Out to Lunch for a programmer who was running late, so I just threw on the first CD I found at hand. It just so happened to be A Tribute to Jack Johnson. Ten minutes in, it clicked: I think I actually said out loud, 'Oh—so that’s what it’s all about.' I immediately asked a couple of my KCR jazz-heads to compile a list for me of their favorite jazz fusion albums and sessions, and I’m working my way through them now."

Rachel Smith, programmer: "Con te partirò" by Andrea Bocelli.

"When I was little up my mom would play Andrea Bocelli around the house all the time. 'Con te partirò' was the first piece of music that really moved me, before I even understood the words."

Ted Schmiedeler, Student Life Director: 1000 gecs by 100 gecs.

"I thought hyperpop was some niche inside joke among everyone who listened to it and nobody actually, unironically liked it until I gave this album a full listen. I became entranced by the time I got to the track 'hand crushed by a mallet' and hyperpop has become one of my favorite genres ever since, especially recently."

Olivia Mitchell, former Business Manager: On Fire by Galaxie 500.

“First indie album I really got into. I was like 16 when I randomly started listening to 'Blue Thunder' and it started my musical journey up until today. I wasn’t really what I say was a conscious being until then, and my music taste wasn’t really much defined. I was like an NPC until I was 16. Just no personality. This woke me up."

Sam Seliger, Librarian & Archivist: Free for All by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. “It was the first time that I could hear the distinct bebop and blues components of the hard bop language."

Maria Shaughnessy, Program Director: "Tik Tok" by Kesha.

“I remember hearing this song on CD in the car with my cousin who was a few years older than me. Up until that point I had heard about this elusive 'pop' genre but never knew what it was... I felt so late to the game. Then 'Tik Tok' came on in the car and my mind was blown: 'This is what my parents never let me listen to.' I felt so rebellious and cool listening to that album over and over and I dressed up as Kesha to do did lip sync performances of her music in front of my family (quite often...). I will mention I was like 9 years old.”