Music allows me to retreat into myself and just be me and my brain and what ever picture the melodies are painting for me. It invokes such strong emotions and responses to me both psychologically and physically I love it. If I hear a beat, chances are some part of my body is moving in time with it. I sing to myself and more often that not, too loudly and disturb others. Depending on the inappropriateness of my response, they will be told 'tough luck' (to my kids for example) or 'sorry, will try not to let it happen again' (to my colleagues). I leave the house and have music on the instant I'm out the door and pretty much have it on all day unless I have a meeting or other, but it's essentially on all the time.
As a young kid, I was lucky enough to have a dad that loved having a good Hi-Fi. Massive box speakers with separate components for dual tape, records, radio and a big fat shiny amp with heaps of switches. There would be no shit '3 in 1' in this house. Dad provided the means to listen to good quality sound but had to come the records. My first record as a kid was "Susie the little blue coup". It was a book that narrated on one side with the proverbial twinkle to turn a page but on the B side was a fast and furious guitar laden track that was more for a head banger than a 5 year old but I loved it.
My taste matured rapidly when I became aware of James Last and the track "she too fat for me". Although the lyrics were risqué and funny for a kid, my love of brass was born.
I was lucky enough to have older siblings that brought Pink Floyd, Manfred Mann and Styx into the house. ELO, Sweet, Christopher Cross and David Essex. I was however always BANNED from touching their stuff and had to always wait til they were out before doing the audio raid. Invariably, the music would still be playing upon their return and I'd be found out but it was always worth it. I still listen to those same songs today (sad old bastard music as its now known in our house) but I just don't give shit. Mr Blue Sky is always welcome in my head.
In primary school I signed up for band and after asking for a saxophone (its the sexiest thing in any ensemble I don't care what you say) was handed a clarinet. It's about that time that I found Glenn Miller Band and the harmonious frequencies that just force you to close your eyes and let the notes merge in your head. Anyone not in the band was listening to ABBA I'm sure, but our little jazz and swing group consisting of Frog on trumpet, Mic on base, me and Mouse on clarinet and someone on Piano (I feel bad I forgot your name if you read this, just know you played really well) played every school gig we could, be it assembly, P&C meeting or awards night. We loved it. I'm really sure the improv was working in our heads far better than in our fingers but being a part of the process and hearing the applause always gave me great feelings of accomplishment. My pestering for a Sax got to fever pitch and like always, Mum and Dad came through. It was a dinged up old french alto with an inoperable octave key but I loved it. It kills me to think I sold it years later as a stupid adult, some assets you should just never sell. I ended up buying a tenor years later in New York (name drop yes, but shit you're impressed now aren't you?) but as the grass is always greener, will get an alto again one day. I play only for myself now. I know that sounds stupid but its like singing in the car, you sound pitch perfect until someone else gets in the car. I should play more but with only 16 minutes a week in the house alone, I'm 'time poor'!! (I fucking hate that term - its bullshit) I'm lazy I mean.
As a teenager, my first proper record I bought was Foreigner! Because I had heard Cold as Ice and loved it. I still do. I paid $7.99 and cherish that album. I gave it to a friend that still has it to this day I'm expecting. (I've gone 100% digital)
As a young adult, the first thing I did with any new car I got was to go straight down to Strathfield Car Radio and buy the biggest and brightest car stereo that I could afford. We had a noise complaint lodged against one night by the pub we were parked out the front of in my 1976 Toyota Hiace campervan.
Live music is one of those things that I hum and har over, worry about the cost and can't quite be bothered doing until such time as I go and then realise what a brilliant thing it is to see such brilliant artists on stage. Sometimes its shit (Dire Straits at Sydney Entertainment Centre) and other times its so wonderfully awe inspiring (The Whitlams at Yallah Wool Shed) I should go to more live gigs but as I've explained, I'm 'time poor'. I have though seen in descending order of (oh shit pinch myself I'm really here) importance Pink Floyd, Queen, INXS, Billy Joel, James Taylor. Midnight Oil, and Matt Finish. I should admit INXS was at the Bateman's Bay Bowling Club a tad prior to them hitting the big time.
I find myself now in constant search of new and exciting music. Some just hit a chord with me and bring me to sit down to contemplate why the hell I can't do that. Gabe Dixon Band is one example. If you've never heard of him, look him up. I'll copy the tracks for you if you like but just listen to his words. (I deny promoting the piracy of music btw). I've been introduced to Portishead, Jay Z, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz in the past few years and love them totally. Others I've found myself like Hunter Hayes (when I say found myself I mean Spotify fed him to me).
Music to me is key to being alive. Its soothing, invigorating, emotional, memory invoking, gets you mad, makes you drive too fast, makes you run too slow, gets people looking at you like you're from Mars and other people a knowing nod to show 'yes' I'm one of you. I'm about to get up from my desk and go home, all the whilst listening to music. If I cook tonight, it will be with music. When my Mr 15 says he likes to fall asleep with music, I know exactly what he means. Music is in my core(d). its nice to end on a bad pun.
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