Olivia Jean, The TVD First Date

“Growing up my dad would often play his vinyl collection while me and my siblings would run around like maniacs. I remember The B-52’s playing in the background when I was very small.”

“When I was a little older I became interested in vinyl itself. I was looking through our vinyl collection and came across The B-52’s self-titled LP. I had to ask my dad how to use our record player, and once the music started I yelled, “Why didn’t you tell me about this band! I love this music!” Obviously I had heard this album before when I was young, but finally could appreciate it. This album was my idea of musical perfection. To this day I listen to this album and get those same butterflies. Thank you dad, for being awesome.

As a teenager I became captivated by the Detroit art-punk scene. Bands of this scene included Whirlwind Heat, Jaime Easter, Adult., Tamion 12-Inch, and Genders. I became friends with Evan Johnson, who played in the two-peice avant-garde band Genders. Being a very shy girl it was difficult for me to discover new music. Evan introduced me to a lot of the bands I still call my favorites to this day. He introduced me to new music as well as the classics: The Slits, T.Rex, Throbbing Gristle, and Delta 5, to name a few.

While I was in Jr. High I started a band called Yakooza Drag Queens. Evan invited us to be the opening-act for a Genders show at The Magic Stick in Detroit. This is probably my fondest memory of being on stage performing. I owe a lot of my development as a musician to Evan Johnson.

While in high school I stumbled across one of the bands who helped shape Detroit’s garage-rock scene. The Gories are a three-piece band from Detroit, Michigan who play raunchy, ruthless, and raw music. I believe every Detroit musician of my age (who loves garage-rock) is heavily inspired and influenced by this album.

I’ll always love listening to this album, and I own it on all formats so it’s handy no matter where I go.”
—Olivia Jean