Don’t Stop Believin’: My Musical Coming-of-Age Was a Journey

From Journey to R.E.M. to the Long Winters to Mitski — how I evolved into a lifelong music fan and writer.

That’s a very hazy photo of me in the late 80s. And yes, that’s my real hair. Photo from author.

A musical awakening: my earliest years

I’ve always been hyper-aware of the music in my surroundings. My baby book lists “record player” as my favorite toy. As an infant, I’d place my head on the mattress and rock back and forth so hard I’d send my crib slamming from one wall to the other in tune with my internal rhythm.

But I haven’t always — how shall I say this? I haven’t always had coolest of tastes.

I think many of us lifelong music fans have had similar journeys. Here’s mine…

Where it began: 70s radio hits and my parent’s vinyl

Let’s just get this out of the way — my favorite first song was Alan O’Day’s “Undercover Angel.”

I loved and still love this song. I will not be taking questions.