Digest

This episode of the One Life of Enchants podcast features a conversation with Amanda Kaye, the younger sister of musicians Ian MacKaye and Alec MacKaye. Amanda shares her experiences growing up in a musical family, her own musical journey, and her unique perspective on the DC punk scene. She recounts her early exposure to live music at a Slinkees show at age nine, her introduction to Joan Jett through a friend, and her experiences skipping school and pursuing music. Amanda discusses her involvement with her brother Alec's record label, Sandwich Records, and her own band, Deserado, which she formed with friends in high school. She also talks about her experiences working in public schools and booking shows at Fort Reno, and her decision to pursue a career in music despite not having a college degree. Amanda reflects on the challenges and rewards of being the youngest sibling in a musical family, and the unique perspective she brings to the DC punk scene. She also shares her thoughts on the importance of learning and growing, both personally and musically, and the value of community and collaboration in the music world. Amanda then discusses her journey to veganism, starting with her early aversion to meat and her father's attempts to get her to eat vegetables. She talks about how veganism became more prevalent in the punk scene and how she eventually embraced it as a way of life. Amanda also shares her experiences with people who are uncomfortable with her vegan lifestyle and how she has learned to navigate those conversations. She reflects on the challenges of being a vegan in a society that often prioritizes convenience and tradition over ethical considerations. Amanda also discusses the impact of social media on young people, particularly the pressures to conform and the potential for bullying. She emphasizes the importance of open communication and the need for young people to have access to resources that can help them navigate these challenges. Amanda concludes the episode by reflecting on the importance of staying true to oneself and living a life that is authentic and fulfilling. She encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and to never give up on their dreams. The conversation then shifts to Amanda's daily rituals, including her love for coffee and her approach to technology. Amanda discusses her preference for high-quality coffee and her aversion to Starbucks. She also shares her thoughts on the changing landscape of technology and her resistance to adopting new devices and platforms. Amanda reflects on the challenges of staying true to oneself in a world that is constantly evolving and encourages listeners to embrace their own unique perspectives and to never give up on their dreams.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the episode and the guest, Amanda Kaye, the younger sister of musicians Ian MacKaye and Alec MacKaye. The host, Toby Morris, explains that he had to re-record the episode because he lost the original recording. He expresses his appreciation for Amanda's willingness to do the episode again.

00:03:08

Amanda's Early Life and Music Influences

This Chapter delves into Amanda's early life and music influences. She discusses her first live music experience at a Slinkees show at age nine, her introduction to Joan Jett through a friend, and her experiences skipping school and pursuing music. Amanda also talks about her family's musical background and how it influenced her own musical journey.

00:13:05

Amanda's School Experiences

This Chapter explores Amanda's experiences in school, from her early love of learning to her disillusionment with school in seventh grade. She discusses her attempts to avoid high school and her eventual acceptance of it. Amanda also shares her thoughts on the importance of learning from failure and the value of a good education.

00:18:27

Amanda's Record Label and Band Experiences

This Chapter focuses on Amanda's involvement with her brother Alec's record label, Sandwich Records, and her own band, Deserado. She discusses the challenges and rewards of running a record label and being in a band, and the importance of community and collaboration in the music world.

00:31:49

Amanda's Career Path and Reflections on the Music Industry

This Chapter explores Amanda's career path, including her work in public schools and booking shows at Fort Reno. She discusses her decision to pursue a career in music despite not having a college degree, and her reflections on the changing music industry and the importance of learning and growing.

00:50:13

Amanda's Musical Journey and Influences

This Chapter delves into Amanda's musical journey, including her experiences with bands like Jury Rig and Routiners. She discusses her influences, including her brothers, Joan Jett, and Neil Young, and her passion for discovering new music.

00:58:35

Closing Thoughts

This Chapter concludes the episode with Amanda's thoughts on the importance of community, collaboration, and learning in the music world. She also shares her reflections on the changing music industry and the value of staying true to oneself.

01:29:51

The Impact of Social Media on Young People

This Chapter discusses the impact of social media on young people, particularly the pressures to conform and the potential for bullying. Amanda emphasizes the importance of open communication and the need for young people to have access to resources that can help them navigate these challenges. She also reflects on the challenges of growing up in a world where social media plays such a significant role.

01:44:30

Embracing Failure and Living Authentically

This Chapter concludes the episode with Amanda's reflections on the importance of embracing failure and living an authentic life. She encourages listeners to challenge societal expectations and to create their own paths. She also shares her thoughts on the importance of staying true to oneself and the value of community and collaboration.

01:48:55

Amanda's Daily Rituals

This Chapter delves into Amanda's daily rituals, including her love for coffee and her approach to technology. Amanda discusses her preference for high-quality coffee and her aversion to Starbucks. She also shares her thoughts on the changing landscape of technology and her resistance to adopting new devices and platforms.

02:24:19

Documentaries and Concert Films

This Chapter explores Amanda's love for documentaries and concert films. She discusses her preference for older concert films and her recent viewing of the Rush documentary. Amanda also shares her thoughts on the importance of staying true to oneself in a world that is constantly evolving and encourages listeners to embrace their own unique perspectives and to never give up on their dreams.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was Amanda's first experience with live music?

  Amanda's first live music experience was at a Slinkees show when she was nine years old. She remembers having a homemade Johnny Rotten pin on and being surrounded by older people.

• How did Amanda get involved in the DC punk scene?

  Amanda's involvement in the DC punk scene started with her early exposure to live music and her introduction to Joan Jett through a friend. She also credits her family's musical background for influencing her own musical journey.

• What was Amanda's experience like working with her brother Alec's record label, Sandwich Records?

  Amanda describes working with Sandwich Records as a challenging but rewarding experience. She learned a lot about the music industry and the importance of community and collaboration. She also acknowledges that it was a lot of work and not always sustainable.

• What was Amanda's decision to pursue a career in music despite not having a college degree?

  Amanda's decision to pursue a career in music was based on her passion for music and her desire to be involved in the DC punk scene. She felt that a college degree was not necessary for her to be successful in the music industry. She also acknowledges that the music industry has changed a lot since she started out, and that a college degree is now more important than ever.

• What are some of Amanda's musical influences?

  Amanda's musical influences include her brothers, Joan Jett, and Neil Young. She is also a fan of discovering new music and supporting younger bands.

• What are some of Amanda's thoughts on the changing music industry?

  Amanda believes that the music industry has become more formalized and professionalized since she started out. She also acknowledges that the rise of social media and streaming services has changed the way music is consumed and distributed. However, she still believes that the importance of community and collaboration in the music world remains the same.

• What are some of Amanda's thoughts on the importance of learning and growing?

  Amanda believes that learning and growing are essential for both personal and musical development. She encourages listeners to continue to explore new music and to stay true to themselves.

• What are some of Amanda's thoughts on the value of community and collaboration in the music world?

  Amanda believes that community and collaboration are essential for the success of the music world. She encourages listeners to support local artists and to work together to create a more vibrant and inclusive music scene.

• What are some of Amanda's reflections on her experiences in the DC punk scene?

  Amanda reflects on her experiences in the DC punk scene as a time of great creativity and energy. She also acknowledges that the scene was not always easy, and that she faced challenges as the youngest sibling in a musical family. However, she believes that her experiences in the DC punk scene have shaped her into the person she is today.

• What are some of Amanda's thoughts on the importance of staying true to oneself?

  Amanda believes that it is important to stay true to oneself, both in music and in life. She encourages listeners to follow their passions and to never give up on their dreams.

Show Notes