I think that I depend on music more than I do anything else in my life. When I listen to music, I relate it back to my own life and this is how I find meaning, expression, remembrance, and understanding. Because of this, I am able to cope with bad situations and intensify positive emotions. It is always a very emotional experience for me when I hear good music.
To me, music is a part of almost everything that we encounter today, both in culture and as an art form. In our American culture and society, we are surrounded by many different forms of media, as well as our peers, telling us that we should dress, act, think in a certain way. Music is certainly included in this category. Many trends and styles today are based on popular artists who dress a certain way and I think many people often feel pressure to look similar to these artists. Personally, I can't say that my own personal style isn't in any way influenced by the musical artists I listen to. I know of certain styles that are entirely based around a certain genre of music like emo and punk, which (unfortunately) I have both fallen pray to in the past. In this way, I do believe people use their music as a form of expression and art.
Not only is the music portrayed artistically by the listeners, but this is also brought on by the artists. When performing their music (live or in videos), the artists have a tremendous say in the way in which their music is portrayed. For example, I have been to many concerts where there are slideshows or background images shown on a giant screen behind the band. These images give the audience an idea of what the artist is trying to convey with his/her music without letting the listeners alone decide. Even what the artist is wearing can lend to the idea of how they would like to portray their music. However, there are always just the straight up bands. Those that just let the music itself be the art form and allow room for the listener's own interpretation. For example, this past Spring I attended a Wilco concert at Sloss Furnace. It was nothing but the band and some basic lighting and it turned out to be the most beautiful and moving concert I have ever attended.
I agree with you completely about the music influencing the way people dress and act. Also, I too agree that music should be left to the listener to interpret the music in which they are listening to. I find that half of the fun of listening to music is trying to image what is going on, or just imagine what is going through the head of the artist that plays that music.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I too have fallen pray to the punk scene. I was quite the little freak in middle school. You aren't alone!
Although I never was in the emo or punk crowd, my musical taste has definitely impacted my style. In fact, my entire lifestyle is based upon music that I listen to. When you get really into a style of music, you hang out with other people who like it, and become surrounded by that culture. That is going to impact your lifestyle somehow.
ReplyDeleteI definately agree that certain music is associated with certain groups of people. For example the goth kids with their emo music dark clothes and eye liner. It plays a huge part in an individual's culture.
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