Various Artists “netBloc Vol. 45: Old Orchard Ave”

With Volume 45 of the excellent netBloc series, I wanted to pay homage to my childhood home at 45 Old Orchard Ave, where my lifelong love of music first developed.

Growing up there, music figured large in my life. My earliest memories recall certain songs played in the home stereo that, to this day, remain some of my favorite music. Other memories feature my parents dancing during the disco era with that stereo playing disco hits.

My parents had a great collection of vinyl… both 45s and albums and that collection was key to my early music discovery. As early as I can remember, I was fascinated by those records. When I wasn’t listening to them, I was browsing them to look at the album art, sleeves and labels.

During my teenage years music was always a companion. If I was home in my room and I was doing homework, music was on. If I was just chilling, chances are I was listening to a new album or recording the latest top 40 hits onto cassette. Music never left my side… as anyone who knew me when I was in high school can attest, I carried my boombox everywhere I went… and cranked it. Usually it was hip-hop blaring from the speakers… Public Enemy, NWA, Kool Moe Dee… you name it… no headphones for me. I had no problem offending the Canadian tourists with my boom bap.

That house at 45 Old Orchard Ave is completely entwined with my musical memories. Had that great environment for discovering music not existed, perhaps I wouldn’t be bringing you this music via blocSonic today. Who knows? All I can say is thank you to my parents for making music a part of my life. It got me through all the teenage bumps along the way and played a part in all my cherished memories, too.

Music is such an important aspect to human existence and it saddens me that the mainstream music industry has so comodified it, dumbed it down and formulized it. blocSonic has always been my limited attempt to shed light on those artists and labels that are carrying music forward through this dark era, regardless of monetary return. There is still GREAT music being made today, you just have to dig more for it. Thanks for digging and coming up with blocSonic and our netBloc series.

This time around I’ve got twelve more tracks for you from all around the world… pop, rock, hip-hop, folk, dub, electronic. Mmmmm… music good.

A very special thank you to all artists and labels involved. What you all are doing is incredibly important to human culture.

Thank you for downloading and listening. I hope we continue to deliver the music you love. Please spread the word about blocSonic, if you enjoy what we do. Remember… everything we release is cool to share! Always keep the music moving… share it… blog it… podcast it! If you’re in radio… support independent music and broadcast it! We don’t stop.

Peace
Mike Gregoire
Founder/Curator blocSonic