Growing up for me musically, I had learned all that I know from my own parents, they were the musical guides in my life, the ones who showed the way forward. Personally, music has had a profound effect on my train of thought and how I perceive the reality that is life. I believe that this is quite profound how something as simple as guitar chords and lyrics; be it sung or screamed, can have such an affect on somebody. It is something I wish to observe and discuss further throughout this blog.
My very first memory of music can be easily traced. Watching my mother taking out the 12" vinyl, sleek and smooth,so many years after she had bought it. "LED ZEPPELIN IV", words I would never, and still haven't ever forgotten it. The inner satisfaction, something I had never experienced before, washed over me. I will never forget that feeling, it was so perfect. Since that day, music has been an essential part of my everyday life. It is as much a part of me as my own two legs are, to go a day without it leaves me in a state of loss and immense crankiness. I feel this way because the music I listen to, I relate to my various moods and particular moments that have to be filed away in my memory.
I am one of those people who just needs music in any sense in order to do anything, I don't find it a bad thing necessarily, but sometimes I wonder whether it is a healthy obsession. When I was younger the most influence that music had on me was whether or not I liked it. Nowadays, due to my style of music choice, (Prog Metal, Hard Rock, Thrash), I find myself trying to find a possible connection to these songs, finding myself looking for something that will connect me to the singers feelings in that song particularly. I find that by integrating myself into that songs feelings, I am expressing myself without doing anything.
I find that this mindset of teenagers in particular, can have a massive and detrimental effect on them, sometimes in a negative way. This is a particular exception for the "emo" culture. Most people consider that the music is to blame for peoples actions. This screams to me at how much influence music has nowadays. I myself have been developing a theory about music, albeit a more than likely incorrect one. I am considering the different effects popular music has on people in contrast to people who listen to band/guitar orientated music. For example, in my hometown, people who listen to popular acts such as Avicii, Calvin Harris, etc. manage to get themselves into more trouble than normal, whereas people who listen to guitar/band music, they don't get into any trouble at all. Why is this? Is there something about the music of today?
I believe that there is some truth to the saying that repetitiveness breeds boredom and frustration. Indeed Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. And drawing from that directly, I believe that the repetitive beats that are present in Dance music in particular, play a part in this. Guitar/Band music doesn't have these repetitive beats as the song evolves and changes multiple times, this isn't the case though with dance music, where it is the same beats sounds and lyrics over and over. However, this is a viewpoint of someone who isn't popular musics biggest fan.
From that, I go onto where I think music will bring us, in particular in rock and metal, where I currently have my ears residing. With the advent of Math Metal (TOOL) and Progressive Metal gaining popularity, I see that these two genres in particular shaping many peoples minds, for example with a band like TOOL, they explore things like inconsistent rhythms and spirituality, and I believe eventually after time, bands will be able to shape how we think about ourselves existentially, and most worryingly, presently. They could make us consider our own purpose and being. However, I consider a long way off, and hopefully after my lifetime.
From now on, I shall be posting twice weekly my thoughts on many things ranging from my day to day life to my thoughts on spirituality. I hear its commonplace to leave with a closing statement, so mine will be that secrets are the truth. Until next time, Peter signing off.
