Bird's Teardrops by Estas Tonne is playing in my ears right now. I started listening to Estas after I decided to learn guitar myself. The first creative masterpiece I heard was "Internal Flight", then some live Performances; it was a flow, a flight through rhythms and gentle breeze of music. I got addicted to his charm, the incense stick at the neck of the guitar, his swift movement of hands with perfect frequency touching every bit of emotions, tying together the threads of serenity, letting the wave of music hit the shore of thoughts... creating an envision of freedom and existence.
I love his music and interpret in my way. When you listen to great artists, you are driven by an unknown source of energy, depending on how you perceive it. To me, music has no language and no barrier, it can traverse lengths without any interference of cruel unhappening of the world. It can serve peace and solace to our hearts or can bring more pain and remind us of things we wish to forget- but you can't let your brain decide; it's the flow, the rhythm, the lyrics, the thoughts, and the emotions you feel through your heart while a particular piece plays in your ears.
I can't sing, I gave up years ago. But I let myself explore this great ocean of people through music. So many artists, so many stories, languages, experiences, culture, thoughts, happiness, sorrow, guilt, regret, love, ambitions- all of these converges to forms of art: music is one of them. I play guitar, I learnt it mostly by my own, mainly because I couldn't continue going to guitar classes, after 9th day, for several reasons including the society's reason of being a "girlchild". However, music found its way back to me, when I started feeling satisfied with what I learnt by myself. Basic chords, then some harmonics, scales, exercises, slowly I started learning. I chose fingerstyle practice over everything else because I love those little slits that the thin string leaves on my fingertips after every practice; I love the fact that there's no bound in how I play, it's all mine; The way I play definitely has the techniques but I can play around with my 6th strings...
All music lovers have heard this song at least once in their life. How beautifully Bryan Adams and James Douglas Vallance had written this masterpiece and it still gives us goosebumps. Doesn't it?
Languages: Music really doesn't need language. One can feel it through senses without understanding lyrics. I have been an EXO-L for almost 6 years now, I still don't understand Korean. I know three four words: Salanghaeyo, annyeonghaseyo, ye, aniyo etc.. But is it stopping me from listening to EXO on loop? Never! I play MAMA, Overdose, and Cosmic Railway everyday! Then, there are other groups like Blackpink, SuperM, NCT, BTS etc. They too produce beautiful songs with soulful lyrics which I don't understand without translation. Once I read the translation, they sound even better! I personally love the voice of Chen, and Baekhyun from EXO, they are sweet like honey!
I am being an EXO biased person now. It's true, I really love them... a little obsessed maybe.
Besides K-POP, C-POP is equally rising. I don't have enough knowledge or experience to write on them, but I love ZTao.
I listen to any language except a few specific dialects and remixes. You do too? Spanish is so many people's obsession!
I love to explore languages, it also helps to learn about cultures. Spanish, French, German, Russian... every language has it's own flavor to try out, essence of their respective cultures, carefully carved into syllables. It will take hours to express my fascination with languages, specially music in different languages, and you won't like to read it. Let me share something better. I accidentally find good music. It happens very often.
Only yesterday, I found a Filipino band called December Avenue and heard a popular song from the band: "Kung 'Di Rin Lang Ikaw " which translates to "If not just you". I was amazed! It was so touching and melodious. I didn't understand a single word but it felt so warm when I played it. I totally suggest this, specially imagine if it's raining outside and you are missing someone whom you love a lot and cherish your memories with that person, just close your eyes and listen to this; You will fall in love with the voice. Later, I looked up on the internet for some background and found that December Avenue actually has a beautiful thought behind their naming: December being the last month of the year signifies "Moving on", which resonates perfectly with their soft-rock and indie pop compositions and touches millions of souls. I found an amazing group of artists accidentally.
Those who know me closely would wonder, where is Taylor Swift, and Jal in the whole discussion? Yes I have to talk about them. They are my constants. Although I am too young to call myself Jalaholic, I still use that Fandom sometimes. Back then, in 2011 or 2012, (Jal was almost broken up by then), my mother had a Samsung smartphone with a 4GB- SD card, in which I used to keep Music video of Jal and Songs from various artists(mostly Hindi Bollywood.) In those times, we were not bored of a song even after listening to the same song for 20th time in a day. Internet was neither accessible nor affordable. However, I enjoyed Jal and still switch to my personal playlist whenever there's rain and the first song would be "Sajni". The soulful voice of Farhan Saeed that united the two nations through music still has a different place in our hearts. Har jagah hai jal.
Linking a latest composition by Goher Mumtaz arranged in Nescafe Basement here- you can checkout.
Finding Taylor: Another accidental discovery, I am never going to regret. I don't remember the year but it was a shopping mall in Kolkata. I came for shopping with my mother and aunt. I was walking around between rows of clothes when I clearly heard a song which was very new to me. But unfortunately I couldn't understand the words. We went to another store and I heard the same song again, clearer this time. It was "Back to December".
It took me one week after that day to become a swiftie. I love Taylor Swift. She has made songs for all kinds of moods and phases of life. Taylor swift with her first album introduced the world of country music to me; Fearless has the teenage romanticism; Speak now has sweetness and magic; Red has the new charm and feeling of versatility; 1989 was pop sensation and exploring the Odds; Reputation is power, and darkness; Lover is colorful and bright; Folklore and Evermore are comfort for soul- definition of Aesthetics. I absolutely love her. She is a queen!
When I listen to music, I get overwhelmed with thoughts and imagine myself in those situations. Some people call me Melophile or, Music Junkie- I don't know if that applies to me, but I accept that I am a little too obsessive with music, I really love conversations on music, I explore experiences and lives through music, I really do. If you love music too, I assure that we can have a good interaction. Music gives me peace and relieves stress. I can't put into words but there was a situation where I played "Dare you to move" by Switchfoot more than 40 times a day. Music helped, Inspired, Encouraged... Like a bestfriend, I never had.
It's 3:15 AM now. I would better stop writing now and listen to my playlist called, "You need to sleep".
Share good music with me...no barriers!
Keep loving music...it's a form of art.