This is a Journey Through Sound
"The Perfect Mixtape"

  Once, in the effort of getting to know a new friend, a young girl asked me about my taste in music. Thinking that that was as safe and as best way to break the ice as talking about the weather, I answered her curiosity happily.

  "I am a big fan of Radiohead."

  Upon hearing that, she politely nodded off in acknowledgement. However, it was rather obvious from the subtle change in her face that the mentioning of my favorite rock band turned her off slightly. At the time, I assumed that she was hoping for me to say that I like an artist or a musical group that she is also into, so that she could easily identify with my taste, then an intimate link could be established and we could start off picking up the pace.

  But her response to my answer instantly proved my assumptions wrong.

  "You're only saying that you like Radiohead to sound smart, right?"

   Ah, the Radiohead backlash.

  It was quite a shock to realize how smart the girl was; before I launched off into lecturing her on why I listen to the band and how they are at the forefront of groundbreaking music, she had already sensed that I was merely trying to impress her with how 'hip' my taste in music is, and quickly did she knock me off of that pedestal of elitist taste. As a result of that, I fell onto the floor like a fool with his pants caught around the ankles.

  At that success, she teased me with a satisfied smile, further hurting my ego.

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This is a Journey Through Sound is a 6-part series about rock music from the author's personal viewpoint. This week's The Perfect Mixtape is the introductionary chapter. More updates: the author was interviewed by Sireh.org for its maiden issue. Sireh.org is an internet fanzine on arts, music, blogging and culture by Syed Syahrul Zarizi. Also, for those who were not able to download the short film A Story About Nothing, you can now enjoy 10 still images captured from the film here, courtesy of Round N' Pointy, Ltd. (2004).