For many people, music can have an exciting and influential impact on their life. There is a thrill in discovering new artists or finally seeing old favourites in concert. There is also an especially significant place in every person’s heart for that first album that they loved and never skipped a track to. For me personally, this was Avril Lavigne’s 2002 debut album, “Let Go”. Every song was appealing to the wannabe punk persona I strived for as a tween. I used to blast the shit out of “complicated” on my silver Sony boombox, and almost felt cathartic when I heard Avril play it this year at her show in Toronto. Because of this experience, I thought it would be cool to ask my favourite musicians and radio hosts what album was most influential to them.
Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs (Rock Band from Toronto)
Top Album: London Calling by The Clash
MBG (One Woman Rock Band from Brampton)
Top Album: Thank You, Next by Arianna Grande AND Currents by Tame Impala
Bewitcher (Speed Metal Band from Portland)
Top Album: The Ghostbusters Soundtrack from 1984
Radio Brent (Host at Toronto’s Indie 88)
Top Album: Dookie by Green Day
Raina Douris (Host of NPR’s World Café)
Top Album: Sublime by Sublime
Dune Rats (Rock Band from Brisbane)
Top Album: Dune Rats (They listed themselves)
It was very interesting to see how the albums listed made a lot of sense in relation to the musical styles and personalities of each artist. I look forward to listening to each of these albums, especially the Ghostbusters.