This post may come across as somewhat cliche and obvious. However, it has long been my personal opinion that cliches have only become that way because they contain truth. And as there can never be enough truth in this world, I'm going to write this post anyway. Plus my roommates have been bugging me to post something new because they think I'm funny... Well, at least someone reads this thing...
I'll let you know what I'm listening to (via Spotify, of course) while writing this post. Currently it is "Guilty Filthy Soul" by AWOLNATION. great song.
I spend approximately 83.4% of my waking day with music playing. If we were to breakdown my time, I basically have music playing when I am not in class. always. Music is awesome. I don't think the word awesome should be used lightly. I am full of awe for the qualities of music that make it so appealing to our senses.
"Daylight" by Matt & Kim just came on. this song reminds me of Lauren, a fantastically awesome girl I went to high school with. She introduced me to Matt & Kim for which I am eternally grateful, as their music is sweeeeet.
When I hear a particular song, I am often brought back to a time when I first listened to it or my most vivid memory of it. My friends tease me because whenever a song comes on, I have some story associated with it, whether or not it has any real meaning or any plot lines whatsoever. One evening was spent entirely explaining odd associations that I have with various songs.
"20 Years" by the Civil Wars just came on. They have such lovely voices- their music makes me want to spin around in a field of wildflowers, roll down a grassy slope, have a picnic in the rain, and then prance down the road, holding hands with an attractive male before arriving at our house that obviously has a white picket fence and a porch swing.
Music also helps to calm me down when I am upset or depressed. I have a playlist on my computer titled "iamsad" that contains the perfect blend of sad songs that make you want to cry and upbeat songs that aren't annoying enough to make you more sad, but happy enough to make you hopeful and know that everything will work out. When I am angry, I typically listen to my "gym" playlist which contains mostly mainstream pop, rap, and techno/dubstep mixes. It pumps me up and lets me "rage against the machine" as needed. Venting my frustration through music has always been helpful to me. When I was in high school, I would often yell along with the song "Admit it!" by Say Anything as I was driving home from school. I proudly know all of the words to that song and recently had a chance to go to their concert. Being a part of a sweet mosh-pit to that song (and to all their others, of course) was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life thus far.
Now the song "Hope and Persistence" by Baldwin Games is playing. That is my friend's band- if you don't know them, you should. haha- They are really good and I try to go to as many of their concerts as I can (they are a local band where I am living). In fact, they have a show tonight, which happens to be the last show Kevin (my friend) will be playing in until after his two year mission with our church. So I am planning on going to hear them play tonight.
It's funny how when you listen to a particular playlist or cd multiple times, you become accustomed to the order of songs. Because of that phenomenon, I often expect a particular song at the close of a different song, just because that is the order on the current cd in my car. Its funny how interconnected music becomes in my life. (and undoubtedly anyone who is a music connoisseur, as I claim to be.)
The song "Capulet" by J.Wride is now playing. This is another local band that I saw in concert. Actually, I think I saw them when they were playing a show with Baldwin Games... I don't remember. But I'm pretty sure it was that night... Anyway, I got their cd and they are talented musicians. I enjoy their sound.
The award for my favorite artist has to go to Andrew McMahon. He is the lead singer of Jack's Mannequin and previously of Something Corporate. He also plays the piano in both bands (SoCo broke up before Jack's was formed). No matter what mood I am in, I am always in the mood to listen to either of those bands. I go to their concerts whenever they come to town and it is always an aesthetic experience for me.
I am currently listening to "I Am Not a Whore" by LMFAO. Although not uplifting in any way, this song is superb. It also reminds me of my former roommate, Jennikins, who would often blast this song and she and I would rock out to it.
I really miss living in the Bay Area because there is such a great music scene in San Francisco. gah. I love that city so much. I loved growing up in that area and spending so much time in the city. (we lived about 30-45 minutes outside of SF) That was great. Salt Lake has a good music scene too, but I don't know if I'm busier now or what, but I have only been to a few concerts since being here... I don't know... Regardless, I love the Bay Area and I love music.
Mumford & Sons "I Gave You All" just came on. That is another extremely talented group of musicians. I love that band right now. It makes me a little bit sad that they are so well known now. I liked them before that. Generally, I believe bands are better before they become part of the mainstream media- even though I am happy for the success that they have earned.
Basically, music is an enormous piece of my life. I love poetic lyrics, feeling the emotion behind the voices that serenade me, and moving along to the beat (although my dance moves are quite atrocious as I am extremely clumsy and often quite awkward). I listen to everything (except country, which has no place in my music library) and I think there is a time and a place for all types of music. When all else fails in life, I know I can tune in and shut the world out of my mind while I envelop myself in the experiences of others, manifested by the pieces of their souls that are made known to me through the sound waves that enter my ears.
-E
Yeah yeah... :-)
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