Cactus Chords

This is something I have never come to grips with. And if any one of my readers can enlighten me on this matter, I would be deeply obliged.

There are several genres of music namely, pop, reggae, rock, rap, hip-hop, blues, jazz, lounge, trance, techno, house and the list just keeps going on and on….

.
.
Why do we listen to music?

I think, it is to emote. You listen to music to give your emotions a companion, to match a feeling. You actually feel like the artist I trying to tell you something through a song. Some songs literally feel like they go right through your soul. This feeling is accentuated when you are listening to a song that is actually describing a feeling you are currently subjected to or undergoing for example relaxed, angry, sad, heart broken, happy, betrayed, lucky, left out etc.
.
.

But the dodgy question is, why is a certain kind of music frowned upon?

One thing that Ive noticed over the years and still do is, Pop is frowned up on as gay music by some. You know, the Backsktreet Boys, Boyzone, Westlife and the sorts.

On the other hand, RAP, Rock, Heavy Metal, Hip Hop, Trance, Techno and all are cool. Music with the “punch & X-factor” in it. I admit, even I have, at one point of time, frowned up on certain music just to fit into a group of friends and secretly listen to the rest. But that actually made me love a whole new genre of music. So it has its pros and cons. Those were school days. As I moved on in life, I realized the true value of music and that I loved listening to all kinds of music. If anyone wants to judge me by the music I listen to, go ahead, my comment box is right below.

I had the great opportunity of meeting the lead singer of one of the leading rock bands in India. As we chatted, he asked me, “Mithun…..so what kind of music do you listen to?”. I honestly told him, “I listen to all kinds of music. Though I love Rap and Hip Hop, I wouldn’t mind any of the girl or boy bands either as long as I love the music.” I expected him to just nod and chuckle later with his friends, but he was way too mature for that. He nodded slowly, leaned forward and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet a blessed listener. I too feel the same.” Oh by the way, if you think I am shitting you, then go ahead. This actually happened.

.
.
I was shocked at such a remark and glad that this guy who goes on stage and head bangs and throats lyrics actually listens to other genres as well. Later when I got talking with him, he told me that he listens to all kinds of music and draws inspiration from their emotions, lyrics and culture. I was thrilled and humbled at the same time.

I do believe, after a certain age, artists much alter the way they showcase their music. Now a bunch of young guys or gals might attract the crowd initially. But if you are 40 plus and still want your “botoxed” cheeks and saggy chests to be termed under heart throbs, I would pass……….thats a big NO NO!!!
.
.

All I ask is, why is the music being blamed?

If you ask me what is that one music that you do not like, personally, it would be death metal because, I do not understand it. But I still feel, if I understood it and probably had emotions to compare it with, I might like it. Otherwise I love everything else. I do not know why. I listen and sing to Pop, Rock, breathe Rap, Hip Hop, lil bit of Blues, tolerate Jazz, love Trance, adore Techno, embrace House and I can keep going on.

All this makes me wonder, is music all about attitude or the art itself? And the most interesting part is that, it isn’t like, if you like a certain genre, you be left in peace. He/She is considered an outcast until he decides to fit in gradually or decides to live like an outlaw. In most of the cases, the former is the eventuality of the scenario.

So, finally is it that, “music” equals “religion” and “genre” equals “cult” or did I just manage to write a whole post about something only I feel exists? I wonder……………

Cheers!!!
.
.

image reference: http://brotherpeacemaker.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/rap-artists.jpg, http://anhso.net/data/65/gon_171/580352/k-bsb46855.jpg, http://www.mydigitallife.co.za/images/JoJo/Guitar_Hero_III_Legends_of_Rock_-_Judy_Closeup.jpg, http://media.photobucket.com/image/trance/Xx_SQUEE_xX/trance.jpg, http://media.photobucket.com/image/jazz/arbycub/Music/jazz.jpg

The following post will only make sense to you if, you are a person with the following traits,

- have an ever growing craving for change
- more than just complacent with wherever you are in life
- always wondered how the personality that you are, would react if put in a certain situation
- always wanted to do something crazy that would surprise everyone and you yourself

It has been my dream for years to pack my bags one fine day with nothing more than a change, my toothbrush, paste, deo, cellfone and CATs and say Rs. 2000/- and set out to someplace Ive never been before. And I will do that sometime soon.

Q: What will you do when you run out of money?

A: I would love to work someplace and earn money. Just for a while, say a month or even couple of weeks. I do not care where it is and I mean it. It can be anywhere, even in a hotel as a waiter or a helper someplace. Live that simple life for a month and experience it. There are hidden treasures in a simple life. You might not quite understand where I am coming from but a lot of others who think like me will, I am sure.

Q: Isn’t that a scary thought and a stupid thing to do?

A: A lot of people are scared what will happen if they do that. They feel their whole life will be turned topsy turvy if they stay away. It’s all about personal perception and whether you find joy in living extravagantly or find joy in the simplest things in life such as helping someone and seeing a smile on their face, the gratitude and blessing smeared all over their face. It’s a different high on the whole. Don’t think too much, just go for it.

Q: What do you exactly have in mind, when you mean a simple life?

A: It all depends upon how adaptable you are to a new environment. If you are enslaved to the stereotypical lifestyle of waking up, going to work, slogging all day (doesn’t matter if u get to chill at work or even fool around, you are still at work and under someone), get back home, have dinner, go out probably, sleep and repeat the cycle. You might have a vaccation once in a blue moon to a beachy location and do water sports and return all refreshed. That is also good, but do not repeat it more than once, it becomes stale. What I have in mind is a secret i will reveal once I’ve lived it.

Everyone goes to beautiful locations for a vaccation, spend a fortune, upload pics, receive comments and get back to work. No one will remember it. Do something different, the feeling is beyond this world. You wouldn’t even bother if no one appreciated it. You yourself would be at peace. Whereas you go someplace else where everyone else has been and its not appreciated when you are back, it will bother you.

Q: Can you explain what kind of feeling you are referring to?

A: How can I explain that? It is for you to experience. By the way do not go on this trip with any of your girl mates. They won’t understand it. Even if they do, you will always have their safety and comfort on your head. So keep this trip as something that is close to your heart and for yourself.

Try this out sometime in your lifetime and if this post made you do it, don’t thank me or even acknowledge or admit it, I will just be glad if I succeeded in breaking the cocoon you were in.

Cheers!!!

image references: radio.weblogs.com/0128644/2004/08/index.html, www.shunya.net,

Has it ever happened to you that you are chilling out with your usual set of chums and they start chatting about something, you know you will be left a mere spectator to? Am sure each one of you must have gone through that at one point of time. It takes balls to admit, I know.

Anyone want to deny this?

If so, you must either have one set of dumb ass friends OR you are one of those losers that act as if you know what they are talking about OR read up on topics you have absolutely no interest in the previous night and make sure to pitch in while the talk is going on

If you fall under any of the above, then I am terribly sorry for you. I know and have witnessed people like this in one of the few friends circles I have been. It is indeed a shame when you have that inferiority complex overpowering your character till you end up becoming a complete different person on the whole.
|

OR you are in the perfect set of friends that, though speak about things you don’t know about, you feel comfortable as they make you feel comfortable (you are very lucky indeed).

I, on the other hand, blatantly accept when I don’t know something. It makes things much easier. I look at the bright side of things. If they are your friends then they wouldn’t mind your lack of knowledge. You, at the same time, can learn a lot from them and flaunt it elsewhere That’s how the circle of knowledge goes, if you didn’t know. There is no shame in accepting it. That is what friends are for. There is always that one Mr.Know-It-All in most of the groups. If he is one who has his head under the clouds, then he can be a good teacher and an even better friend. But if he is one with his head up his @$$ then there is nothing more turning off in that group than when he opens his gob.

But if you fake it, then you stand to fall in a lot of trouble.
You can be asked a question which you are expected to know and end up looking stupid OR
Say something totally out of context because that is all that you read upon.

When you are in such a group of friends, if the lack of knowledge in certain areas eventually ends up in your being left out, then its a sign, look for new friends. Coz these ones, do not like you for who you are….Simple!!!

Every person has an area of interest. It could be current affairs for one, cars for another, music and movies for another etc. So repect your friends for who they are and what they know. Impart knowledge, don’t disrespect its value, for, one day its going to come around and bite you in the ass so hard, you wont even know what hit you.

Cheers!!!

image reference: www.anu.edu.au