Why all the music references?

I figured I would explain my reasoning behind my music references with food posts. Like why am I randomly putting in what I am listening to...what the heck is that all about?

Simply, I like music. It seems to be a part of my daily life, as well as cooking, so it makes sense they should go together.

Food. I have loved everything about food from when I was little. I absolutely love cooking and baking and then seeing people enjoy my efforts.

I have also enjoyed music from my early years from when I was obsessed with Rick Springfield and then progressed to Men at Work and Duran Duran. But once I started listening to INXS' Listen Like Thieves in the 80s, I was hooked, and my bedroom walls were wall-papered with INXS members, specifically Michael Hutchence (rip). That first time I saw him in concert, in the 80s, I was even more in love, and it started the beginning of long relationship with music.

I never got into the top 40 music or the big hair bands of the 80s, I never listened to metal, it was the indie alternative music that tempted me, and still does.

In my 20s and early 30s I was going to 2-3 gigs a week. I loved checking out the newest music and seeing a band play at a small venue before they broke out and became trendy.

I married a musician, a former drummer from England, M, who had toured throughout England and Europe in the 90s. After having our daughter, Z, it was definitely more difficult for me to find the time to keep up with what was new, and I was definitely no longer going to 2-3 gigs a week, I was lucky if I was doing that a year! And let's not talk about the drinking...that decreased in mass quantities as well!

We quickly learned that with the warmer weather we could take Z with us to outdoor venues. She went to her first Lollapalooza in 2005 at 4 months old, and since then she has been to countless festivals and concerts, complete with her ear muffs, to protect her young ears. She has seen more bands than most adult, at 4-years old. She has danced to over 40 bands from The Thermals, to Aimee Mann, Broken Social Scene, Fiest, Elvis Costello, Jarvis Cocker, Kaiser Chiefs, Rufus Wainwright, The Stills, Magic Numbers, Shellac, The Streets, The Klaxons, Gogol Bordello, Radiohead and I could go on and on. Once the warmer weather hits, we are ready to check out the schedules to see what we can take her to.

M keeps BBC 6 Music on the radio daily, and issues of NME in stock so I am able to keep current.

It is great to cook to music, or to take a break out of the day and dance to Scissor Sisters with Z. Though, now that she is getting older, she is having more of an opinion as to what she wants to listen or dance to...I am not sure this is a good thing, especially when she has me watching Hannah Montana.

One subject that has really fascinated me since becoming gluten-free and being married to someone who used to tour for a living, is how someone with celiac or a gluten intolerance handles it in such a hectic lifestyle. Being that celiac is so prevalent, it is a no brainer that musicians and the crew that support them would be included in this large group...so how do they deal with it? I have been lucky to be able to talk to several people in the industry to learn more*.

Until then....turn the tunes up and get cooking. Tonight on our menu we are having roasted salmon and asparagus risotto, the ultimate comfort food. I think it is time for some Muse and a chilled bottle of cider and to get myself in the kitchen.

*Here is a recent interview with British production manager, Richard 'Wez' Wearing, and what it is like on the road with celiac. Keep an eye out, I have more coming!