Music
This year I wanted to listen to new artists.
I don’t listen to a ton of music. I mainly listen to music while doing 3 things; cleaning homework, and showering. Now that I’m not in school anymore, I have a lot of free time to use. I’ve been enjoying filling it with music. My boyfriend has also helped with that too!! He is a bit of a music nerd. He’s always introducing me to new music and new sounds.
My main genres are usually Pop and R&B. I like rock but I don’t listen to it as much. I like Indie music as well but I didn’t dedicate as much time to it this year.
My main goal music wise this year was to listen to more Bjork. I had always heard her name but had never really ventured to listen to any of her music. I had heard snippets of Army of Me but didn’t know that was her song. My boyfriend was also a big fan of hers so that helped. I ended up liking her more than I thought I really enjoy her sound and just how different and interesting it was. Her range is incredible and she do be talking about some real shit. She’s raw and stupid talented. She’s different. I like how her sound had changed over the years as well. It’s so futuristic. I find that I’m really liking that outer space sound.
I found out that I liked this style was through listening to House Music as well. House music is so freeing. I thought that its repetitive nature would annoy me but it actually did the opposite. It’s soothing and the melodies are so hypnotic and really sucks you in. You can really zone out or tune in depending on your mood. I love to spark one up and put on some house music and clean or just idle around my apartment. It’s always a dance session waiting to happen. It makes me feel like I’m at the club. It makes me feel sexy, it makes me feel young, and it makes me feel free. It’s one of my best music discoveries this year second to Hunter by Bjork. It’s also a good pick me up. There are great inspiring messages about strength, love, acceptance, and community in these songs and I think it’s truly beautiful. My interest in House has helped me pivot to more high intensity music. I’ve listened to more electronic artists. I like the Dance stuff. It’s such good energy. It’s so youthful and fun. I’ve discovered music that I felt in my body. I think because I’m happier and not losing my mind over shit, I can really feel the beats. I find myself tapping my feet or shaking my head to music more often. Sometimes when there’s no one looking, I’ll even bust a move in the coolers at work. What a rush!
I still don’t like dubstep though. That is not real music to me.
I did manage to see some live music this year.
It was so exciting and amazing. I’m sad that I can’t see them again. I can’t believe I saw fucking jazz legend Herbie Hancock. He blew my mind!!! I was so moved that I cried. If I close my eyes and I think hard enough, I can feel the swell of the music in my chest, the same swell that moved me to my feet when I heard it. I wish I could hold onto it longer, to live in it. I swear I’m not doing it justice with how I’m describing it. Nothing has ever moved me to tears in my life like that. To feel the music in that way, with all those people, was truly something special. I didn’t know music could sound like that. It was just outstanding. Everything about how he played and the sounds that he created was so encapsulating. I was so mesmerized. I am in awe of his talent. He is truly amazing. My words could never do his performance justice. He and his ensemble were truly talented and deserve every bit of praise. Everyday I think about how I’ll never hear that performance again. It was one of a kind. I felt extremely lucky to have witnessed it. I’m angry with myself that I didn’t document the experience but I’ve found that I’ve really been enjoying living and being in the present moment.
I did also get to see a live action band play to the Cowboy Bebop anime. It was great. Cowboy Bebop is one of my favorite animes ever. It is also in the same universe as Space Dandy and Samurai Champloo. They were very good and felt like I was watching the anime all over again. I’m sad I didn’t get a picture with the band after the show. It would’ve been wicked.
It was a good year for music for me. I found some new music that really moved me and helped me enjoy life and endure my hardships. I found joy in being able to escape in music this year and being able to express myself more clearly this year. I am excited to see what the next year musically sounds and looks like.
The Abode 