Love Music.
This blogpost idea came to life one night because of the series of tweets posted by former A Rocket To The Moon frontman, Nick Santino (Love you, Nick!) when he was having a Q&A kind of thing and some random fan has sent in a question about music. It really made an impact that he cannot help but share his thoughts about it.
The question? He was asked about his favourite kind/genre of music. Easy question, yes? Rock and roll would have been an expected reply.
But his answer? Music. Just music.
Of which he has explained further and I quote:
"Music is music. What's your favorite kind of music? Music."
"I like anything from pop to movie scores to metal. Who says you can't either? Listen to what you like. Nothing else matters. Just like it."
"Yeah, I agree that some music is better than others but don't rule it out until you've heard it. Discovering new music is an amazing feeling"
"Go to a show for the whole show. Don't know the opener? Give them a chance. They could be your new favorite band."
"Music is music. Love music."
- @NickSantino
The power of words! I realised how much it also applies to me and my views of the music that I like. It somehow strongly urges me to be open to all kinds of music that makes me feel good and not care about anything else (read: judged about my music taste).
Music makes us feel something and that's the way it should always be. If the artists are good-looking then that would be a bonus, but it should not be our main/only reason for liking music. In the end, it is still going to be about the music that will make us stay connected. It is sad that the real talents do not get as much exposure that the overrated ones have but I could not care less with the recognitions. As simple as most musicians' reason of acquiring happiness by just making music and sharing their passion while reaching out to every willing soul, mine would be happiness by listening to the music that touched me the most, be it by the heartfelt lyrics or the feel-good tunes. Furthermore, liking them almost comes with a package; supporting them in my little ways (buying official merchs and CDs).
I will listen to Urbandub's rad music because I can. I will spread the word of the Hale comeback because I have waited long enough and I am really glad that they are back with their new stuff. I will promote OPM music more because there are a lot of great talents out there, just waiting to be heard. I will listen to Jadine songs because they are...cute together and they are making me kilig. (Heh.) I will jam to One Direction because why the hell not. The Beatles has always been my thing, and I will forever be glad to listen to the 60's and 70's music for it satisfies the old soul in me. I will rap with Eminem and hit high notes like Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Sara Bareilles and Jessie J. Christian inspirational music fills my soul and heart with so much gratitude and love from God and I will be forever thankful to Colton Dixon and The Planetshakers for that. David Archuleta and David Cook's music...will forever hold a dear place in my heart. I still will listen to MWK whenever it is raining, jam with Darren Criss, The Cab and Echosmith when I am down, listen to We The Kings whenever I miss them and sing and dance like Hayley Williams of Paramore and some 90's boybands when nobody is looking. Oh, and would I ever get tired imitating Matty Healy's (of The 1975) sexy British accent while singing and dancing to those beautiful beats; or go all anthemic with Fall Out Boy.
Being a band enthusiast, it is but an awesome feeling to discover new bands and I will definitely do just what Nick has suggested. Although looking back I realised I have been actually doing it for a long time (attending music festivals and listening to new bands!!!) I could not even remember when.
And lastly, I will open myself to even a larger scale of music. Not that I haven't been doing that before. In fact, one maybe surprised to find a vast genre of music in my player with songs that one would not expect me to have. (e.g. I used to have the native folk song Dayang Dayang on my player just for fun.)
I use to say that Arashi (a Japanese pop group) is the only boy group who sings and dances that I can tolerate (my exact term) and maybe I will give other boy groups a chance. (Though at the moment I still am not fully sold to the idea. But I do appreciate their music, too.) And I think it is about time to admit that I like CN Blue's music, too.
To be honest, K-pop is a vast universe that I refuse to go fully into because I know myself and I know my tendencies when I started liking something or someone for that matter. There are just so many things in there that I do not and cannot really understand. I thought getting to watch a K-pop group live would give me all the answers and it (seeing 2PM once) indeed gave me answers, just not enough to pull me into the hype. In my eyes, they have the looks, they can dance, they can sing, they are all alike. I am fine with people who like the likes of them, though. And this is all because of the understanding that this is where they have found their happiness, just as I have found mine with the bands; in which to me may be CN Blue's edge over the others (as they are actually a band), of why I chose to give them a listen.
"May mga nagsasabi na kaya lang sila sikat kasi dahil sa itsura," my friend told me once, of which I responded quickly with "Oi! Hindi naman!" and she was like " di ko pala dapat sinabi yun," something like that, like saying it would offend me or something, and I laughingly answered, "Okay lang naman. Pero pinakinggan ko kasi yung iba nilang songs, okay naman sila. Maganda naman." That conversation at a Japanese restaurant is so vivid for right then, I realised, did I just defend CN Blue and their music? Could it really be that...? Uh oh.
But thinking about it, it maybe is a good thing. Should I not have given them a chance, I would not have been introduced to another band who treats each member as brothers and produces a feel-good vibe whenever I get to listen to them. I would not have known a passionate songwriter who appreciates every support that he gets. It is the great relationship with all the members that is the most commendable as this maybe the secret why they are coming up with such good songs; because it would not feel like work at all, dealing with your family.
So it is now out in the open. Will I spazz like most K-pop lovers out there? No. But I post about almost anything, (if my 61 thousand plus and counting tweets is not enough of a proof) and now they are one of those many things. Will I watch all of their showcases and videos? No. Not because I do not like them that much but mainly because I am lazy (some things never change haha).
Will I continue to listen to new bands? Most definitely. My current playlist is so diverse though I have been mostly listening to Jason Mraz' YES album because its message of optimism is pure gold. Aside from the usual gospel music, it is just what I needed, especially during these past stressful couple of days. I also have been listening to Ed Sheeran a lot as his concert in Manila is almost around the corner, and I cannot wait to jam with those songs and with this talented redhead. And just when you thought you cannot love music even more....
You can.
And despite all the repetitive verses and sex-centered lyrics these days, the experience of getting to listen to all sorts of music gets even better and better..especially when you open yourself to the unknown.
Listen more. Explore more. Love more.
x
PS: It's the season of love (Valentine's Day weekend is fast approaching) and for this year I chose to publicly declare my love for music, for a change. Also, here's to a happy, hopeful, patiently waiting heart! ;)
