Music defines a lot of things, right? Moods, expressions, and messages. I always listen to music whenever I write a new blog. I listen to a lot, play a lot, analyze a lot. It's a big part of me.
This past weekend Caleb, my brother, and I's band, Prima Luce, played our first show as a band. We had our best friends from Georgia fly in to play with us. Our lifelong friend opened the show with his band, Land&Sea. We played it at the place that's changed me more than anywhere else, The Avenue at Ginghamsburg Church. Doesn't get much better than that. The whole thing went perfectly.
While I was playing I was thinking about what I thought about the audience. It was different because I am usually the audience. I gained a new perspective that night though. I think more of the people listening as just being a part of the experience. No matter if you're playing or listening, you're taking part in the art that's being displayed at the time. That's why band's appreciate their fans so much. Experiencing art is always better with people who understand. Fan's usually understand part of the music; it's why they listen to it.
To put it simply, I'm ready to play more, write more, and listen more.
While all of that was going on, I was deciding who to write a speech on for competition this year. Sure enough, it ended up being a musician. Potentially one of the best of last century. John Lennon. I've always loved The Beatles but was never obsessed with one in particular. Caleb, on the other, has always loved John Lennon. This was my chance to get to know The Beatles and John Lennon more.
I'm getting somewhere, I promise. But before I make my point- another example. I'm taking a Western Cultural History class in school these days. We're studying fine arts, and how to define "good" art and "bad" art. One of the books we're reading is State of The Arts by Veith. I'll admit, I don't agree with most of what he has to say. But there's a lot of good that's come out of me reading it. It challenges me to not only know why I disagree, but create firm opinions of what I do agree with.
Now, to the point. All of this adds up to ideas about art. It changes people. It changes beliefs and opinions. I'm learning things most people don't know about the artists themselves. John Lennon's really interesting, you should go look up some Bio's of him and get to know his personality more. I guess if someone asked me right now what I was learning I'd have to say that it's the idea that art is everywhere, art is in all of us, and we should use it. We can use it for so much good. I want my music to change people. If it's so bad that people realize what good music is because they contrast it, then so be it (but I really hope that doesn't happen).
I'll close with a quick idea about art: Art is an expression. Because of this, it's always portraying a message. So the point of art is the message being portrayed. It's a way to connect with the message. Look for the message, if it's portrayed well to you, then it's good art. If not, it's probably bad. But only to you. Remember, you have a different perspective than other people. Be open. Be cool.
No comments:
Post a Comment