Music is Power

Since Glastonbury took place last week, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to talk about something that is so central and important to my everyday life: Music. Music is important to many people in a variety of different ways, whether it be learning an instrument and performing, or simply just listening. Music has such an impact on my life, and I've come to realise that those that know and understand the power of music, just know. Music is a feeling; it comes from the heart; we react to it from the heart and it's a constant respite and comfort from the numerous events in our lives- good or bad. 'Hounds of Love' by Kate Bush, for example, will always be an album that reminds me of my childhood, and the days in which I was carefree, but really intrigued by the world around me- something Kate displays throughout her music. In this post I'm going to talk about music in a variety of forms; what it means to me; how it inspires me, and the idea that music is the one thing that unites us as human beings.

I was lucky to be brought up by parents who both have a huge love for music (especially my Dad) and as a family, it's one of the things that really brings us together. We listen to music in the car, on the radio, in the house, and at live concerts. There is rarely a day that goes by where we don't listen to music. Due to the huge love that we share, our tastes in music are generally the same. I wasn't brought up with chart music and the "Top 40." My early listening included artists such as The Cure, Joy Division, Fleetwood Mac and Bob Dylan, so from a young age I was exposed to in-depth lyrics, and complex ideas portrayed through songs, meaning that pop music about one-night stand relationships and parties never interested me, and still doesn't. Music is entirely subjective; I know many of my friends prefer chart music, perhaps for the beat and the overall simplicity, and part of my love for music means that I accept all different layers that are explored, however I will always prefer music with meaning and intense emotions, not only because it's what I was brought up with, but because it works perfectly alongside who I identify with as a person. My Dad is exactly the same, and it's one of the many character traits I get from him. He understands that music means something different to everyone, but for some people it is so much more than that- it's a safe haven. To really lose yourself in a new album by an artist is an experience that I will never get tired of. An album explores the individual emotions of the musician, in a way that allows people to relate to the lyrics, the mood, or just the overall sound. One of my favourite albums of 2019 is 'Dogrel' by Fontaines D.C, a rather intense sounding band from Ireland, but having important messages to portray. What I find really special about music, is the fact that there are often songs and albums that you can relate to from different points and periods of time in your life. A song or an album that reminds you of a holiday in Spain, or an old relationship, is something truly unique to everyone, and brings me back to the point that music is powerful and can leave a hold on us for years and years to come.

The combination of lyrics and sounds that originate from music is a marriage made in heaven; like lamb and mint sauce! I'm a poet, and soon I hope to share some of my own poetry with you all on this blog- it's why I really listen to the words being said when I listen to songs. After all, lyrics are just poetry. Ask Jim Morrison. I generally find that most people don't listen to lyrics, which is disappointing, because they are the foundation of any song. They finalise the message and emotion coming from the music, supported by the use of instruments and the sonority of these instruments. Sometimes I wonder how my brain has remembered all the song lyrics that I know, but this is another clear example of the impact that music can have; the messages that can be portrayed- that last a lifetime. Punk bands such as Rage Against the Machine discuss modern political issues, and in a sense, fuel us with the power to actually do something about them. After all, "Where's the Revolution?" as Depeche Mode would say. One of the things I've come to understand about myself, and what I want to offer to the world, is my ability to make a difference by getting across my emotions and thoughts to other people through my writing. This can be done through many layers of creative arts, such as artwork, writing, performing and again, music. What better way to express yourself than through a song, that is yours, and will live on after you've gone. We were watching The Cure's set at Glastonbury the other evening and it reinforced the fact that bands, like the Cure, who have been around for over 40 years, still have such an impact on the fans. And all those fans, regardless of where they come from in the world, are brought together by this sense of community and passion for the music they are hearing, and in my opinion, there's nothing else quite as special as that.

The atmosphere of live events such as Glastonbury are perhaps the only large social settings I enjoy. I jump at the chance to go and see my favourite bands live, as it reminds me to really live in the moment. As I previously explained, it is very rare for me to go a day without music, and I think my parents have gotten used to me wearing my headphones around the house and only taking them off when I'm eating, or when I'm forced to communicate! I got a vinyl record player last year for my birthday, and quite honestly it was more the novelty of it, rather than the sound, that interested me the most. My Dad was happy to be able to dig his old vinyl's out, and I was surprised at the ship-shape condition they were in, considering my Dad isn't brilliant at keeping things in order...I was only surprised for a short while though, until I realised that it's music and as my Dad said he "had to get his priorities straight." I feel I could make a fortune with the amount of old CD's my Dad has in the house, but I know that neither me, or him, would have the guts to get rid of any. Even though we listen to music on streaming services now such as Spotify, there's always some part of people that want to hold onto the historic methods of listening.

Music for me, provides a nice bridge from my past to the present day. I still listen to music that I listened to when I was 5, but perhaps my thoughts on that music has changed over time. My music library just keeps getting bigger (around 10,000 songs currently) as I discover artists-new and old. I hold memories of certain albums and songs that will definitely stick with me for life. 'One of Us' by Joan Osbourne reminds me of Porthleven in Cornwall, and a specific holiday in which my Dad would put the song on over and over again. 'The Suburbs' by Arcade Fire, takes me back to when my Dad gave me the lyric book that came along with the CD and we would listen to it all the way through whilst I was tracking the words, and the song 'Singularity' by New Order, helped me get through my GCSE's, as I was being reminded to take "one day at a time." So music influences my memories, my thoughts, and essentially, my moods, which is why I've recently had to think a bit more about what music I'm listening to. Some music can invoke very strong emotions within me that make me over think. One of my favourite singers and lyricists at the moment is Elena Tonra, from a band called Daughter- an absolutely fantastic band with captivating, almost haunting music, emphasised by her lead vocal line. A lot of my poetry is quite dark, and my Dad has mentioned that my words often remind him of Elena's. For that reason, I try and avoid Daughter, and some other bands when I'm not quite myself, and just enjoy the silence. Not for long though- you'll soon see me go back to my music after about half an hour!

As well as listening to music, I also like to play it myself every now and again. I began keyboard lessons in primary school, but it never really took off, as I didn't feel as passionately then about playing music compared to listening to it. This has changed over the past few years, and it's one of the reasons I decided to take music as one of my GCSE options. To be able to play an instrument allows you to feel almost connected to the sounds, and brings you even closer to the power that music has. Especially if you look at it in the sense that you are the one that holds the power, and you can manipulate the instrument to play in a certain way. I'm around Grade 4 standard in piano, which I understand is foreign to many people who don't play instruments, but let's just say I'm certainly no Beethoven! Playing an instrument takes time, patience and resilience; like a lot of things. My Dad's grandfather was brilliant on the piano, but not without a lot of hard work. On the other hand, my Mum's side of the family were never musically orientated. I've decided to take the grades for piano as I progress, as I think it's a great way to show how far I've come in learning. Whilst I do love playing the piano, I've recently developed a new love for playing the guitar. I think the reason for this is the fact that most of the music I listen to is based more around a strong guitar lead, rather than the piano. I'm paying for online guitar lessons now as well- trust me, I like to keep busy, and I'm really looking forward to developing this further. My Dad is very supportive, as he likes to play the guitar too- he can't read music, but taught himself instead. Unusually for me, I prefer to learn formulaically by reading music, as I've been doing this for a few years now, and it gets easier for me to navigate and work it out as the years go on. One of my biggest goals in life is to learn a few more instruments- possibly drums, cello and saxophone. I've been strictly told by my Mum that I'm not allowed to learn drums until I leave home though...which is fair enough!

I started this post by saying that music inspires me, and it does; in everyday life, but it also inspires me to make my own music. We had to compose as part of our Music GCSE and let's just say that my two pieces were...impassioned... to say the least. If I find a way to put them on my blog, it would be a pleasure to share them with you all. Composing is not something I really considered when I was younger, but I did have dreams of becoming a song writer, which I suppose is something I'm still considering. I want my job to be based around music- whether that's in song writing, music journalism and reviewing, or other elements in the music business such as artist promotion. Music journalism would be my dream job if I can get into that area of expertise. Writing about music? No problem. Even a job on a radio station, being able to talk about music. My family loves 6 Music. It's generally an overlooked radio station, but is nevertheless, brilliant. The difference with 6 Music compared to all other radio stations is that everyone on it is really passionate about music, and this comes across when they talk and express their views on it; there's a guarantee that they will play a song that you haven't heard in a very long time, one you won't hear on any other radio station.

Music means more to me than I can ever put into words, although I do believe I've made a good first attempt! It will always be such a huge part of my life, and I can't help but feel sorry for my future neighbours..guess I will just have to get myself a detached house in the middle of nowhere, especially if I'm learning the drums! My next couple of posts are going to be dedicated to two new albums released this year, and I'm going to be reviewing them, so look out for that. Now to finish this piece I'm going to quote something my Dad mentions a lot. He doesn't like musical genres, and doesn't like the way music is "categorised" so to speak; i'm starting to believe he's right. Music represents everything that goes on behind the blanket of misery and issues in the world- it's freedom, it's a feeling and as Richard Ashcroft would say, MUSIC IS POWER!

Suede live in concert at King George's Hall, Blackburn

My extremely worn headphones...