Visceral Response: Music

I was probably born to a really good song playing... at least in my dad's mind that is. Much as people are raised into religion, I was raised into music. There isn't a genre I don't appreciate (although I'm not really a fan of country music), but there are a few genre's that hold most of the space in my heart. The biggest placeholder is rap, hip-hop, and R&B alike. My dad wasn't the type to play Kidz Bop for my young ears. Instead he would just tell me to "put my earmuffs on" and I would hurry to cover my ears if he didn't want me to hear something, which wasn't too often after he accepted that I had just about heard it all from Marshall Mathers.

The real Slim Shady

Ah Eminem, I have an intense visceral response to his music. It brings me back to the days when I was just a young girl and my dad would sing to me while we drove places in his speedy, white, tricked-out Nissan.

Hailie's Song

My dad passed away almost 11 years ago and this is one of the most vivid memories I carry with me today. I'm grateful for the look it gives me into his struggles and emotions that he attempted to hide from me at the time. You can imagine why Eminem's music affects me so.

Sigh

It's not all pain though. I'll never forget the hours I spent in front of MTV (when it was actually music TV) dancing and dreaming of artists such as Usher, 50 Cent, Nelly, etc.. The 90's/early 2000's were wonderful years to be alive and aware of music.

While attending Coachella 2014 last year, I actually got the pleasure of seeing some of those artists like Outkast (Big Boi & Andre 3000), Pharell, Usher, Nas, Jay Z, T.I., Busta Rhymes and Kurupt live. I thanked my dad the entire time for creating a connection like that with me.

Big Boi & Andre 3000

Andre 3000

I know the beauty of this genre of music is hard for most people to see, but I absolutely without a doubt see it. I did mention, however, that I'm passionate about a few genre's of music (and surprisingly they're not just all sub-genres of rap). My dad also introduced me to the beauty of bands like the RHCP, Incubus, Staind, Blink 182, etc..

You also can't go wrong when you enjoy EDM, which is sub-genred like hell, but since I'm not specifically devoted to any one sub-genre of electronic music I just kind of generalize. The possibilities of this genre are endless. It's absolutely enthralling to be at one of these performances. The sounds/lights/energy are exhilarating to say the least.

And finally I must mention my flirtation with alternative bands such as Circa Survive, Brand New, Modest Mouse, Manchester Orchestra, Maricopa, Autumn Rhodes, In:Aviate, etc.. During my middle school years I dappled with quite a bit of loneliness and depression. The mere sight of the artwork from one of Circa Survive's albums Juturna chokes me up and gives me a sense of comfort and relief all at the same time.

At that same year at Coachella I got to see Anthony Green live which is the lead singer of Circa Survive. And now this year I get to see the actual band perform as well as the band Brand New.

These are the exact experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. They are so incredibly special to me. Nothing makes me feel more alive than when I'm listening to music, seeing a live performance, or watching a music video. That's what resonates emotionally with me rather than intellectually. Music is what truly evokes a visceral response in me.