Last updated at 14:54, Thursday, 05 April 2012

WE ask some leading questions about tastes and choices in music, in order to uncover some pet sounds. MOLLY LYNCH is a former Evening Mail reporter and Northern Soul aficionado.

WHAT was the first album/single you bought?

I remember caving to peer pressure and using my pocket money to get a Spice Girls’ single even though I secretly preferred All Saints, but the first one I ever saved my pennies for and went to Woolworth’s to buy was Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis.

I remember writing down the lyrics and learning them on the school bus. I think my brother and I even had a pair of those awful, round Gallagher brothers sunglasses each.

How do you obtain your music?

The internet predominantly. Whether it’s spending a fortune on records for my ever-expanding collection of Northern Soul on vinyl, or downloading music for my iPod. However, some of the best records I own have been very kindly handed down to me by my family. My dad gave me some great reggae and ska 45s and my aunties Christine and Maxine have provided me with some classics from the heyday of Wigan Casino.

What are you listening to on your iPod?

My iTunes is a vast amalgamation of genres which cater for different moods. I’ve got every single by The Smiths for states of solipsism, plenty of soul for when I want to practice my dancing, Stone Roses and Fleetwood Mac for burning around in my little car Gloria, Florence and the Machine for when I try on floaty dresses and punk and gangster rap for when I feel like socking it to the man.

I’ve even got a playlist of classical music with a bit of Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky for good measure.

And the songs I listen to when I’m running are shockingly bad.

What is your favourite album of all time?

It’s probably The Last Shadow Puppets’ Age of the Understatement, The Smiths’ eponymous debut or, for sentimental reasons, a live Fleetwood Mac album my brother bought me in 1998.

My family had never had a car and that summer we hired one and went to France for the World Cup and listened to it non-stop while my dad attempted to drive on the other side of the road.

Every time I hear The Chain it brings happy memories flooding back. Special mention to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On also.

First gig attended?

My first ever proper gig was the Arctic Monkeys at Old Trafford Cricket Ground five years ago. It was a glorious summer’s day, I was with my brother and cousin.

Amy Winehouse, The Coral and Supergrass were the support acts. That was when Amy was half-human and she was outstanding. I feel privileged to have seen her give one of the better performances of her life.

Last gig attended?

I’ve neglected my gig-going of late in favour of soul nights or DJing, so I suppose it was Kendal Calling last summer.

The highlight for me was watching The Cribs headline on the Saturday night. Unfortunately, Johnny Marr didn’t appear on stage with them, but they were fantastic, nonetheless.

First published at 13:18, Thursday, 05 April 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk