Local Spin

It's no surprise that one of our hippest City Council members, Gordon Smith, has such eclectic — not to mention current — musical taste. But it wasn't always that way. "There wasn't any music in my house growing up — everyone read," says Smith. "Besides at Christmas, when they would crank up the Perry Cuomo." Well, judging by his answers, he's sure come a long way. And don't be alarmed if you don't see him at a local show for a while. Smith says he's hard at work "doubling [his] focus on multimodal transportation and on equal rights for LGBT North Carolinians."

Hey Gordon Smith, what's your spin?

Listening to now: This very moment? [Young, jazz-fusionist] Esperanza Spalding. I've been rocking Pandora [Internet Radio], too. Amy Winehouse radio on Pandora is freakin' fantastic: You'll hear her, and then Etta James, and then you'll hear an R&B group, and then it'll cut into Bonnie Raitt or something. Oh, and I'm looking forward to hearing the new Decemberists album, too. I hear it's great.

Most recent album/song purchased: The Roots most recent release, How I Got Over. I also picked up the free Girl Talk download. And I just finally got Hellblinki’s Oratory downloaded onto my iTunes.

First Album Ever Bought: Kenny Rogers, The Gambler. I would have been 11 or 12, I guess. Shortly thereafter I got the Grease soundtrack, the double album. [Laughs.] Wow, that's super cheesy. 

Most recent concert attended: Albatross Party at PULP. Before that, Devo in Chicago before Lollapalooza.

First concert ever attended: Amy Grant. That's embarrassing. It was through church, and there was this girl going that I liked, so I went. [Laughs.] Next was Billy Joel, then The Who.

Favorite local/regional act: Locally, Tyler Ramsey. Regionally, the Avett Brothers. I love their new album. I think it's going to be a classic. 

Favorite band/artist of all time: Bob Dylan.

Guilty pleasure: EARPWR. It's bubblegum pop music, but it's pure, crazy, goofy fun.