Nerd Herd Thursday – Way Behind the Trends Edition

One of the major positives of being a total and complete nerd, is that, for the most part, my generation sees nerds as pretty damn awesome. I mean, look at Weezer! Or Steve Jobs! Or anyone living in San Francisco! Being a nerd is cool. Just ask my friend Mara, who most recently purchased herself a pair of fake, black-rimmed glasses in order to look more like us nerds. Being nerdy is the new black.

One of the reasons for this newfound nerd revolution is the rise of technology. Everyone wants an iPhone or a GPS or some other tech gadget. And who are the first people to own them? Nerds. Who can figure out how to set them up on your laptops? Nerds. Who can fix them when they won’t play your favorite song or you can’t get your zip code to register on the screen? Nerds.

So when my tech geek husband told me I needed to use Pandora at work over a year ago, I told him that I was quite happy with my three-year-old iPod and collection of bad rap music I ripped off Napster in 2001, thankyouverymuch. I don’t need anyone giving me nerd technology advice.

Whoops.

The past few weeks have been increasingly stressful at work, and when my computer crashed and my entire iTunes library was lost (argh, back issues of the All Songs Considered podcast, I will miss you dearly) I found myself without anything to listen to while attempting to swim through my massive email inbox. So, after many days of uncomfortable silence in my office, I finally broke down and checked out Pandora.

Looks like Trent may be the nerd, but I’m the loser.

Why didn’t I use Pandora before? Because I’m an idiot, that’s why. Plus, I don’t like to listen to Trent’s advice. It makes his ego grow three sizes every day. But this time, although I hate to admit it, he’s right. Pandora is awesome. Basically, it’s an online radio station where you type in the name of a band or song you like, and they create a station with music similar to that artist. It’s a way to listen to music you love, and find new bands that will become your favorites.

My three current favorite Pandora stations should be no real surprise. First up is my TV on the Radio station. It features (along with TV on the Radio) bands like Bloc Party, Interpol, Metal Hearts and Radiohead, amongst many others. It’s got a hip-hop meets alternative meets electronica meets fusion vibe. Me likey.

Like the button? I made it myself! {ahem, cough, nerd.}

Editor’s Note: You do have to sign up for a Pandora account to listen to their stations, but trust me, it’s totally free and absolutely worth it. So far I’ve had no annoying email blasts or any kind of problem with my account. And did I mention it’s completely free. As in FAH-REE. Do it, people!

The second station in my constant rotation is Sigur Ros radio. I had this playing when one of my bosses came in to my office the other day and he told me he wanted to sit down and meditate. It features mostly transpop, electronic and fusion. As if I have any idea what that means. Bands include Sigur Ros, Ty Burhoe and Mum and a bunch of other bands I’ve never heard of. But it’s nice. Very soothing. You feel like you’re in some sort of indie movie (Sigur Ros plays the most recognized song from the movie Vanilla Sky, still one of my favorite movies of all time, despite my current disdain for Tom Cruise, click here to view).

The third station I’ve found myself entranced with is, of course, my Fleet Foxes station. It features Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, The Dodos, Deathcab and The Shins. I love it. It makes me want to transport myself to 1968 and never again use a hair straightener and wear flip flops every day.

So, in conclusion, Trent was right. And I’m not only a nerd, but one that apparently is way behind in technological trends. But I do have a pair of real, black-rimmed glasses and orange Chuck Taylors, so hopefully it all evens out.