Melodica

You are riding on a gondola over a gentle stream...

That's what a melodica sounds like, at least to me. It has an accordion and organ-like ring that can be used in so many different styles of music. The instrument was one of the best birthday gift's in the history of my birthdays. Any ideas on what to name it?

Melodicas are usually played for solo parts to complement a song. Lately, I've been listening to many indie/folk/experimental bands (if you have to label) and I've noticed a common trend. I guess it's another one of those 'indie' things that comes along with the several other 'hipster' characteristics, but these bands are now opting for unconventional instruments to make what is still in the modern rock genre. Instruments such as the harp (hint hint Joanna Newsom), xylophone (the one's for kids are the best), ukulele, banjo uke, and my dear melodica. Adding to all of these instruments are the homemade ones- picture a cigar box ukulele...nice right? Indie is the answer.

The band Freelance Whales is a great example. The new yorkers use an accordion-organette together with a banjo, ukulele, and a xylophone.



I won't be a hypocrite, I enjoy the bizarre instruments and think they add even more options for musical creativity, however, what's the deal with this new trend? Is it that everything's been done already, so we resort to homemade or odd instruments to attempt producing something that sounds 'new'? What does this mean in the long term? What is the future of music? Are we going to be banging forks and knives together and calling it counter-culture?