Gwen Stefani rocked the crowd at The Orpheum last night. Of course she did because that's what Gwen does, she gets people on their feet, singing and clapping and dancing, jumping, screaming and swaying. She calls and we respond. She says move and we do. She asks for more and we give it because we know we're getting so much more in return.
It's been 20 years since I first learned about Gwen and No Doubt as a college student in Orange County. Everyone talked about the band, just months away from breaking huge, so personally. I still feel like anyone in the (714) is less than six degrees from a member of No Doubt.
I've since developed a relationship with the band and its music, speeding along the 57 anytime "Just a Girl" came on the radio, getting over some boy or other to "Ex-Girlfriend," finding comfort in "A Simple Kind of Life," being pushed forward by "Settle Down." The music—fun, fantastic, rollicking pop that it is—is personal so it makes a lasting connection.
Even though her solo work is fluffier, dancier, lighter than her music with No Doubt, much of it sticks, too. Who hasn't tried to maintain a friendship with an ex? Who hasn't been afraid to take a career risk? Who isn't driven craziest by the person they love the most?
I went last night to sing and dance and yell and jump and check out the costume changes and people-watch. I went last night because, 20 years in, I'm still fascinated and inspired by Gwen Stefani. I went last night because, a generation later, my niece and nephew are Gwen fans, too.
Sharing that with them excites me. Singing "Spiderwebs" with my niece in the car, buying my nephew Adrian Young drumsticks for his fifth birthday, decking out all the kids in Harajuku Mini for the holidays, these are just a few of my joys in being an aunt.
Even though I don't agree with everything she says, even though I understand the criticism levied against her turn on "The Voice," I'm happy for the kids to know Gwen because there's so much to admire about her, like determination, loyalty, creativity, confidence. I'm happy for the kids to see that being the only woman in the room is an opportunity to shine, not to hang back. I'm happy for the kids to have great taste in music.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Living in an Extraordinary World
Gwen Stefani rocked the crowd at The Orpheum last night. Of course she did because that's what Gwen does, she gets people on their feet, singing and clapping and dancing, jumping, screaming and swaying. She calls and we respond. She says move and we do. She asks for more and we give it because we know we're getting so much more in return.
It's been 20 years since I first learned about Gwen and No Doubt as a college student in Orange County. Everyone talked about the band, just months away from breaking huge, so personally. I still feel like anyone in the (714) is less than six degrees from a member of No Doubt.
I've since developed a relationship with the band and its music, speeding along the 57 anytime "Just a Girl" came on the radio, getting over some boy or other to "Ex-Girlfriend," finding comfort in "A Simple Kind of Life," being pushed forward by "Settle Down." The music—fun, fantastic, rollicking pop that it is—is personal so it makes a lasting connection.
Even though her solo work is fluffier, dancier, lighter than her music with No Doubt, much of it sticks, too. Who hasn't tried to maintain a friendship with an ex? Who hasn't been afraid to take a career risk? Who isn't driven craziest by the person they love the most?
I went last night to sing and dance and yell and jump and check out the costume changes and people-watch. I went last night because, 20 years in, I'm still fascinated and inspired by Gwen Stefani. I went last night because, a generation later, my niece and nephew are Gwen fans, too.
Sharing that with them excites me. Singing "Spiderwebs" with my niece in the car, buying my nephew Adrian Young drumsticks for his fifth birthday, decking out all the kids in Harajuku Mini for the holidays, these are just a few of my joys in being an aunt.
Even though I don't agree with everything she says, even though I understand the criticism levied against her turn on "The Voice," I'm happy for the kids to know Gwen because there's so much to admire about her, like determination, loyalty, creativity, confidence. I'm happy for the kids to see that being the only woman in the room is an opportunity to shine, not to hang back. I'm happy for the kids to have great taste in music.
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