When asked what kind of music I like, I often draw a blank. Which is perhaps an unexpected response from someone who makes music. I like all types of music (well, heavy metal excluded). Maybe that sounds like a cop-out, but it’s mostly true. Growing up, I listened to Simon and Garfunkel, Journey, The GoGos, Madonna, Queen, The Police, The Cars. If pressed though, I guess my favorite band growing up was Yaz. I still love them, actually. Allison Moyet has such an amazing, powerful and expressive voice. Many nights were spent singing along with her.
I also really love classical music. I love to listen to interwoven melodies of all the instruments that work in such harmony with each other. I appreciate the energy that flows with movements that crescendo and the more subtle parts that surround you in a warm bath of sound. Interestingly, dance music is very much like classical music, relying heavily on dynamics and repeated motifs.
I don’t follow as many current bands as I should. There’s tons of great music out there. But, it’s really hard to work on music and then listen to lots of other musicians. I have been trying to see more live shows, which is a wonderful way to stay connected to music. Music is only as good as the connection it provides, whether to another person, to a moment in time or to an emotion. Music breaks my heart sometimes. I often tear up to the little melodies I make up as I drive around town. These melodies vanish as quickly as they arose, but for that brief time, I was completely moved by music and in the moment…