Rob Harvilla, longtime rock critic and host of "60 Songs That Explain the '90s" podcast, discusses fatherhood themes in '90s songs, the origin of "Dad Rock," singing a Tom Petty song to his newborn, and balancing work and parenthood.
The power of music in expressing emotions and triggering memories throughout different stages of life, including fatherhood.
The evolving definition of 'dad rock' and its association with music that fathers loved in their youth.
Deep dives
The Power of Music to Connect with Fatherhood
Rob Harvilla, a rock critic and podcast host, shares personal anecdotes on the impact of music in his journey as a father. He recalls singing Tom Petty songs to his newborn son and the emotional connection it created. Harvilla reflects on the concept of 'dad rock' and how music preferences evolve across generations. He discusses his children's affinity for video game music and contemporary bands like AJR. As a work-from-home dad, Harvilla values the opportunity to be present for his kids, even as he grapples with self-doubt and the challenge of emotional support.
The Emotional Significance of Songs
Harvilla recalls the profound emotional impact certain songs had on him during his formative years. He explores how songs like 'Alive' by Pearl Jam, 'Say It Ain't So' by Weezer, and 'Sliver' by Nirvana resonate with themes of family and parental relationships. He shares personal experiences and highlights the power of music in expressing emotions and triggering memories. Harvilla also discusses the complexity of introducing kids to music and navigating their individual music preferences.
The Evolution of Dad Rock
Dad rock, originally associated with 70s rock, has evolved over time to encompass various genres and eras. Harvilla examines how bands like Wilco, Spoon, and The National have been categorized as dad rock. He reflects on the shifting definition and its affiliation with music that fathers loved in their youth. Harvilla acknowledges the ease of music consumption in the digital era and discusses the contrasting experiences of discovering and acquiring music in the past.
Challenges of Balancing Parenthood
As a father of three, Harvilla confronts the challenges of parenting children at different ages. He candidly shares his worries about supporting his son emotionally as he enters junior high and maintaining connections with his other children. Harvilla acknowledges the constant self-doubt and strives to strike a balance between being present for his children's needs and his own personal fulfillment. Despite the difficulties, Harvilla expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be a work-from-home dad and appreciates the meaningful moments with his kids.
Longtime rock critic Rob Harvilla has made a lengthy career out of his love for the '90s-era songs that shaped his days as a teenager and college student. He’s the host of the hit podcast “60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s” and he’s built a devoted fan base of equally obsessed music fans while exploring songs from artists like Nirvana, Madonna, REM, and the Wu-Tang Clan. But despite his success, sometimes he just likes to mow the lawn with an old Soul Asylum album in his headphones before he gets back to his life as a dad.
On this episode of Paternal, Harvilla discusses fatherhood themes in the songs from some of the biggest artists of the '90s, the origin of the term “Dad Rock” and why you’re probably listening to it, the song he sang to his newborn son, and how he feels about his kids streaming songs at the push of a button instead of waiting for hours to record them off of MTV, like a real music fan should.
Learn more about Paternal and sign up for our newsletter at www.paternalpodcast.com. You can also email host Nick Firchau at nick@paternalpodcast.com with any comments or suggestions for men he should profile on the show. Make sure you subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening, then keep an eye on your feed for new episodes.
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