Rhythmic Reveries

Lo-Fi Lauren’s Summertime Filler Episode

by Lo-Fi Lauren

I Think I Finally get the Whole “Reggae” Thing

Happy New Year Bothering the Band boys and girls! This is an official certified Lo-Fi Lauren filler episode. What do I mean by that? I mean I cannot start this new year off without at least saying hello to you all and yapping about my newest musical discovery: I think I finally get the whole “reggae” thing.

It has been COLD down here in south Florida; I mean frigid. 2 or 3 weeks ago, we hit record low temperatures of 30 degrees. I heard it was even snowing in Tampa. Word on the Groundhog Day street was that the little guy declared 6 more weeks of winter, so I had to go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe, and hope that all the money I spent on clothes that I’d probably never wear again would be worth it. I don’t know about you guys, but I hate the cold. I mean I literally despise it. My entire body hurts. I feel like I’m walking like Frankenstein from how stiff it makes me feel; and to have to go to work in it? Absolutely vile. But, some of my fellow floridians seemed to be enjoying the random cold snap; and while they were dressed in their beanies and flannels filing into my job to warm up with hot green tea and bowls of spicy Tom-Yum soup, I felt like I was living in some kind of bad, “Cool Runnings” nightmare. Where was the usual 80 degree weather? And what in God’s name am I to do with my free time if I can’t lay out and tan while listening to my music and reading my books?

A Staycation State of Mind

I’ve honestly never quite gotten into reggae. When I was a kid, I remember my mom driving us around in her minivan while we listened to Bob Marley’s “Legend” and Ziggy Marley’s “One Bright Day,” which are both absolute classics, especially down here in Deerfield Beach. I can also remember my big sister Janna burning reggae CDs for us to blast on our way down to the Keys for various family trips. But aside from that, for most of my life, reggae was a genre that was just sort of inconsequential to me…until now.

As Florida finally decided it was time to warm her icy self back up last week, not only did I also suddenly defrost and come back to life, but I even decided to take a self- declared “staycation” down in Fort Lauderdale to try and forget whatever spell Jack Frost tried to put on me. I spent the entire time eating delicious food, having lunch beers, going to the beach (which was still quite chilly in the shade, but better than nothing) and yes, you guessed it: finding a newfound love for reggae music. I even made an entire playlist, which I STILL somehow have on heavy rotation; and I’m not just talking Bob or Ziggy Marley. I’m talking Steel Pulse, Sizzla, Wailing Souls, and more. I feel like the world fixates so much on the Marleys sometimes that we seem to forget about all the other reggae artists out there who deserve just as much credit, if not more.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all the Marleys for different reasons, especially Damian (definitely the coolest one in my opinion.) But also, there’s just way more to reggae than them. For example, I can’t stop listening to Josey Wales’ “Cowboy Style,” whose beat is equally catchy as it is just plain hard; or “Ring the Alarm” by Tenor Slaw, which was later sampled by Fat Joe’s “Watch the Sound.” But personally, I think my favorite recent discovery is Steel Pulse’s “Rollerskates” with the chorus being “life without music, I can’t go!” A lyric that, as I’m sure you all can assume, Lo-Fi Yours Truly strongly identifies with.

Make Way for that Positive Day

I honestly have to say that out of all the different musical genres out there, there’s, just something about reggae that makes you feel like life really isn’t so bad; no matter what your current circumstances may be at the time (even if your Florida blood is freezing in 32 degree weather.) No, but seriously. I used to say that reggae to me felt like glorified follow-the-bouncey-ball music for adults. Now, it just feels real groovy and chill, and I get it: it’s purpose really is to just “make you feel alright.” Okay…maybe a little too cheesy, but this artist just couldn’t resist. So, next time you’re going through something, whatever it may be, try putting on any random reggae song and let me know what you think. Or, try putting on a random music genre that you always swore you’d never like. You never know just what you could be missing. Except country. I’ll never like country music no matter what you guys say. And for all you guys out there freezing your butts off in places that are below freezing, hang in there! Crack open a beer, turn on the heaters, and throw that reggae playlist on; I got a feeling summer’s a lot closer than we think.