Huh. That's Odd
06/26/09, 09:19 AM
Hi. A couple of [insert amount of time here, I can't remember.] ago, I was asked the following question:
What do you look for when you look for music?
I was stumped at first. But then, I thought of this:
UH...
I can't play any instruments. Where the 'eff do I get off saying that the guitar/keyboard/drum/etc. is crappy, or sloppy, or anything to that nature? I don't judge by instruments. So, that knocks something off. Seriously, come to me when you are a professional getting paid to do something, and then I'll let you judge. Come to me when you've majored in music, or you have a natural ear, and I'll listen to your opinion.
I sing like a banshee. So, I can't really judge on voice, but I like soul. I like a soulful voice that is thick and sweet like honey. Even if it's rock, I want to hear a talented and natural voice that is not the product of years of training. I like to hear something that is heartfelt, and the artist is proud of what they do. I want a voice that makes me feel emotional, and that makes me want to sing along, because they don't go all out, but they can still bring the message to the listeners. It's simplicity that gets me the most. Stripped down, raw, acoustic if I'm lucky, and just plain GOOD.
I look for, really, artists that are human. People that I can relate to, or that I've had a similar experience in life as. To make a horribly judgmental generalization: I don't want some screamo/hardcore metal junk that sounds like something Bam Margera would listen to. (I also judge by character of fans in a sense. Nothing that is complete jerk-material. Seriously? He was wearing Chanel sunglasses, the spoiled brat.) I don't like artists that spend most of their career getting in fights with other artists or bashing other artists. I can't stand that whole 'Hollywood is bad, even though I live down the street.' foolishness. I can't stand the whole 'Corruption' thing, which is pretty hypocritical of a Fall Out Boy fan, but I can't help it. Patrick Stump saves that band from damnation. Seriously. Their fan base consists of fangirls, but that's a whole other conversation, so I need to move on. I want someone that accepts the world for being it's bad self, and moves on to write truly good music. Not emo/scene crap. I'm sorry, but I don't want to hear about your entirely too personal life. I'm not happy that you are suicidal, I just don't want to listen to music about it. I'd rather hear about something I can relate to.
Homegrown is good too. I like indie bands that record in the same town that they grew up in, possibly went to high school together, or if they are The Craft Economy, followed a challenge that was given to them at a concert and came back to the next show a band. That is truly homegrown.
It has to have a lot of love. I like Jason Mraz for the simple fact that you can tell that he loves what he's doing. He doesn't do it for the money, and he doesn't live in a huge house with a popstar wife. (COUGHPETEWENTZCOUGH) He's a normal person. I like normal people. Not complete off-the-wall PROBABLY-ON-DRUGS(C) types. So. Give me normal. Give me sane. Most of all, give me quality music that I could relate to.
So, in a wrap, I like soul, love, honey, and truth, something I can relate to.
That ain't much to ask for, is it?
XOXO,
Raydiofree
When I wrote that, I was thinking about all of the music that I've stumbled over, tripped on, (No, seriously.), and come across in my rather short, kinda turbulent, recockulous life. And, I think I kinda felt nostalgic for a second, and then I smiled, and then I felt a little sad..
So, if I can make you feel the same way I did, what do you look for when you look for music?
What do you look for when you look for music?
I was stumped at first. But then, I thought of this:
UH...
I can't play any instruments. Where the 'eff do I get off saying that the guitar/keyboard/drum/etc. is crappy, or sloppy, or anything to that nature? I don't judge by instruments. So, that knocks something off. Seriously, come to me when you are a professional getting paid to do something, and then I'll let you judge. Come to me when you've majored in music, or you have a natural ear, and I'll listen to your opinion.
I sing like a banshee. So, I can't really judge on voice, but I like soul. I like a soulful voice that is thick and sweet like honey. Even if it's rock, I want to hear a talented and natural voice that is not the product of years of training. I like to hear something that is heartfelt, and the artist is proud of what they do. I want a voice that makes me feel emotional, and that makes me want to sing along, because they don't go all out, but they can still bring the message to the listeners. It's simplicity that gets me the most. Stripped down, raw, acoustic if I'm lucky, and just plain GOOD.
I look for, really, artists that are human. People that I can relate to, or that I've had a similar experience in life as. To make a horribly judgmental generalization: I don't want some screamo/hardcore metal junk that sounds like something Bam Margera would listen to. (I also judge by character of fans in a sense. Nothing that is complete jerk-material. Seriously? He was wearing Chanel sunglasses, the spoiled brat.) I don't like artists that spend most of their career getting in fights with other artists or bashing other artists. I can't stand that whole 'Hollywood is bad, even though I live down the street.' foolishness. I can't stand the whole 'Corruption' thing, which is pretty hypocritical of a Fall Out Boy fan, but I can't help it. Patrick Stump saves that band from damnation. Seriously. Their fan base consists of fangirls, but that's a whole other conversation, so I need to move on. I want someone that accepts the world for being it's bad self, and moves on to write truly good music. Not emo/scene crap. I'm sorry, but I don't want to hear about your entirely too personal life. I'm not happy that you are suicidal, I just don't want to listen to music about it. I'd rather hear about something I can relate to.
Homegrown is good too. I like indie bands that record in the same town that they grew up in, possibly went to high school together, or if they are The Craft Economy, followed a challenge that was given to them at a concert and came back to the next show a band. That is truly homegrown.
It has to have a lot of love. I like Jason Mraz for the simple fact that you can tell that he loves what he's doing. He doesn't do it for the money, and he doesn't live in a huge house with a popstar wife. (COUGHPETEWENTZCOUGH) He's a normal person. I like normal people. Not complete off-the-wall PROBABLY-ON-DRUGS(C) types. So. Give me normal. Give me sane. Most of all, give me quality music that I could relate to.
So, in a wrap, I like soul, love, honey, and truth, something I can relate to.
That ain't much to ask for, is it?
XOXO,
Raydiofree
When I wrote that, I was thinking about all of the music that I've stumbled over, tripped on, (No, seriously.), and come across in my rather short, kinda turbulent, recockulous life. And, I think I kinda felt nostalgic for a second, and then I smiled, and then I felt a little sad..
So, if I can make you feel the same way I did, what do you look for when you look for music?