Dear Matthew:

We’re a lot alike, you and I. We’re journalists. We’re from Alberta. We’re both called Matt.

We’re also huge music nerds. But as you know, our taste in music could not be any more different if they tried. You’re a classically trained trumpet player with an ear for opera, jazz and prog; I taught myself guitar by playing along to punk rock records, in between all of the hip hop and electronic garbage I’m otherwise listening to. With that in mind, I have a proposition for you.

We should make each other listen to our favourite records.

Here’s what I’m thinking: every week, one of us will select a record we’re particularly fond of. We’ll present it, along with a short intro, to the other one of us. The other one of us will then listen to the record and write about their experience. Think of it like a record exchange program, only the records are being chosen by someone who loves music you typically hate.

Don’t hold back. Don’t give me the intro-level, beginner’s-guide-to stuff. I want the nittiest and grittiest of the prog and the classical and the entire other worlds of music I know almost nothing about. Don’t shy away from giving me something because you think I’ll hate it. (In fact, I definitely want to hear it if you think I’ll hate it.) Do this for me, and I will be only too happy to return the favour.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

— Matt