Conversations and Revelations With Amy

If you know me at all, you know that music is one of the big loves of my life. I know many people love music but then, even more so, there are people who live and breathe through music. I know these people when I meet them and quite often if we have more than one occasion to hang out, we are drawn to each other in this understanding. Like addicts at a secret meeting, we want to share our intense desire and compare notes. Might we share common interests in this? Can I trust you and your tastes after our initial interviews to give me constant recommendations? “Oh my god, try this… it is good, right?” “I got more where that comes from.” “When you find something that thrills you, email me so I can listen.”

I know when I like something I am listening to. I have this tendency to stop breathing. It is a strange effect but I find myself holding my breath almost to hear the sound more, to get closer to the notes, to the beats, to the words. If you love music, you know what I mean.

I thought everyone was like this until I started meeting people who, when they say, “oh I like everything”, really means that nothing particular stands out to them or they just love music that  they can dance to with their girlfriends at a club. (shoes off, pantyhosed feet and purses piled in the middle). “Oh my god, this is so awesome”. Ooh, I just did it. I sounded like the music snob. I am really not. Well, not as much as some people are. I actually have a great appreciation for many kinds of music. I have a majority that falls into certain genres like the ever generic term of alternative and indie, but some Spanish influenced music like the Gipsy Kings can leave me dizzy from holding my breath.  Or some Big Band sounds from the 30’s and 40’s find me dancing around the kitchen, dreaming of what must have been more pure times. It reminds me of a time that has been created in my mind but not ever experienced. That is ok; it is as real as if I had been in those dance halls or in a smoky little club listening to Ella croon. Or you may even catch me pounding the steering wheel to the Spanish, rap, rock sounds of Ozomatli. I love NIN, Sinead, Band of Horses, Damien Rice, The Smiths, The Dismemberment Plan, Modest Mouse and on and on. Bottom line: if it has passion and emotion that rings true to me, bring it on. I respect it and I respect what moves you. Try me, I may love it or I may make a mental note that you and I probably will not be swapping recommendations in the future.

Music is absolute therapy. I have this funny jukebox in my mind. I was unaware of it until one day I realized what I was doing. I may be feeling something and all of a sudden I would be singing a song that expressed what I was feeling. This was an unconscious action. Sometimes I would not even know what I was feeling and then I would be singing some random song from my childhood, maybe a song my Dad would play. Maybe some Rod Stewart song or even Anne Murray would play and, upon analysis, I  would realize the words described what I was feeling. I would not try to think of a song, it would just come out without any will to conjure it up. I was amazed. My mind was keeping track of lyrics and matching them up with my emotions. What the hell? I think it is the craziest thing and a special thing to me. Now I pay attention when I come out with some random Willie, Air Supply or Depeche Mode song. I start listening to the lyrics and sure enough it fits the mood. I have to watch that I am not too loud or I get the puzzled look and the inevitable question, why are you singing “Elvira” or, are you humming “Let’s Get Physical”?

So ok, you get it. I love love love music. I want to share and learn. What I would like to do is to start giving recommendations of music that I love from the past and now. No boundaries or rules on genre. I would really love to hear yours too. Truly. What makes you hold your breath?