Vinyl Versus ITunes

Hello to my readers, I am so sorry it has been such a long time since we last spoke. Today I am going to explain why I prefer vinyl, as opposed to downloading music on my iPhone.

This is what a vinyl, or record looks like.

Itunes is great because you can take it on the go and you can pretty much be anywhere, and download a song.  However, I prefer going out and buying records for a number of reasons. 

First of all there,  there is a very distinct scent of old or vintage books, which records also have in common. Old books smell similar to almond, as well as an earthy aroma because of the chemicals used in the process of creation. When you walk into a record store,it has sort of a new car smell I guess, it is hard to describe.

Second, unlike downloading a song you get to go out and have an adventure. Many record stores I have been to, hold all sorts of people who express themselves, in a variety of different forms of music. Records are organized alphabetically and by genre and can take quite a while to look through, but on the way of finding what you want you are exposed to other artists as well. 

I feel refreshed knowing my records are organized, which comes with a very relaxed energy. Personally, organization means a lot and sometimes the music on my phone is all over the place. You are not held back by data when collecting records, as you may find yourself like on your phone, or whatever you open Itunes on. 

Some older artists would hide messages in their records for their fans to listen to. The Beatles would create songs that when played in reverse on a record player, could be heard by those who enjoyed their music. Many of the messages, however, caused curiosity and a theory regarding the band, called The Paul Mccartney Conspiracy to develop. By owning a record player, I can hear these messages for myself. 

The history of where the records come from or are pressed tends to fascinate me. There are stories of records that were illegal because of their covers in the US, that were hidden behind stickers, and when you own a record you can consider the people before you who could have shared the music with their families too. 

Having records requires responsibility and organization, that is, if you want to keep them in good condition. Getting to hold a solid copy of what may have downloaded on a phone is truly great. 

Whether it is the sound of the needle clearing with the beautiful sound of music, or history of its creation,  I love my vinyl. 

For these reasons, I believe owning vinyl is far more valuable than owning songs on Itunes. 

How Big How Blue How Beautiful

 Last night I attended an insane concert. During my last post, I was so excited for a concert however, I did not announce who was performing. An Indie rock band called ''Florence and The Machine" were performing and I had such an amazing time. Led by singer Florence Welch, the performance gave off such a lively energy.

 

This is Florence Welch. Her band along with many others, had formed in London, and has also been together for eight years. Florence is interested in spirituality, and in her music she expresses so much, through her body language and enthusiasm.

 The performance was at the Hollywood Bowl, and I sat across from the left screen. Not many kids were there in fact looking at the people coming, I think I was the youngest, which did not bother me at all. I was not aware of who the opening band was. The second the audience silenced,and the lights of the stadium went down, I had sworn a more modern version of The Beatles were on stage. The stage had rainbow lighting and the singer of this band who was unfamiliar to me, sounded almost eerily close to Paul Mccartney, or John Lennon. Many in the audience stood up and danced, however I sat in curiosity. The band was called Goastt, and the logo was projected on the screens.

After taking a look at the logo I automatically stopped to search the band up. The band has a full name, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger. People behind me began talking to one another.

"They sound like a futuristic Beatles group'', the old woman behind me said.

"Mom I disagree, the singer sounds too close to Kurt Cobain.'' the man next to the old woman had said. 

While hearing these thoughts I totally thought, there has to be some connection to The Beatles here. I went on Google images and this is what came up.

Looking at the man's face I saw John Lennon. 

The male singer had the name of Sean Lennon. He is the son of Yoko Ono, and John Lennon. I became so excited to be in the same place as the son of such an inspiration to me, John Lennon. 

John Lennon and Yoko Ono. 

The group was very happy to perform in front of such a large audience. Personally, my opinion on the band is that they are decent. The music is repetitive, and there tends to be random guitar sounds, that don't necessarily contribute to the flow of the songs. 

Suddenly, the stage morphed from a rainbow to a bright sun of color. A giant harp and set of wooden tambourines were placed on stage. A tall woman with fiery red hair laughed, as the guitarist got the neck of the guitar comfortable in his hand. I had butterflies in my stomach and was so hyper. Gold dust stretched the depths of the stage and the audience yelled in a charismatic commotion. 

Florence set a calm energy at first with her relaxed voice. 

"Hello Los Angeles!'' a British voice echoed the atmosphere. 

The audience roared in absolute excitement. 

"Let me tell you all something.'' she continued.

''My album was based on this place right here and looking at the sky. I was texting, yes I have a phone not a carrier pigeon. Then I looked up at the sky, and thought ,how big and blue and extraordinarily beautiful the sky is. I took this image of the sky we can see right here all around the world with me and I am giving it back to all of you.'' she smiled brightly. Florence skipped across the stage barefoot and went on.

"Now music is something that can connect all of us. I was hoping you all could be our choir tonight, this is much bigger than the one we have at home.'' 

Florence began with her song" How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''. 

"Between a crucifix and the Hollywood sign we decided to get hurt.'' she sang out rotating her hands reaching out for the sky line. I just had realized across from the Hollywood bowl was a cross and the Hollywood sign. I understood ''between a crucifix and the Hollywood sign'' as it was the exact location of her album and it's inspiration.

"Bless the childeren Florence!" the guy behind me screamed and I was laughing. 

Further into the performance she got the audience to get up and dance and clap. She flipped her auburn hair wildly and then spun and sang on the stage. She reached for hands in the audience and hugged many. Florence sang songs such as ''What the Water Gave Me'',"Mother'',''Delilah", "Caught", and so many others.

 

Half way through her song she ran off into the audience, and screamed happily providing an energy of amazement and excitement for life grabbing the hands of those to run with her. 

A small stage lit up in the audience and she sang lightly yet spinning her head in circles. A moon rose on the stage as she ran while singing "The Dog Days Are Over''. The lights went down and all you could hear were her laughs, high pitched screams,  and the noises of the beautiful harp. A member on stage gave her a tambourine. Florence sped to the edge of the stage and shook it on different sections of the audience.

"I want you all to get up. People on shoulders, people on chairs, who cares what people think'' she yelled during her song smiling brightly.

"We are going to the rabbit hole!'', she screamed. 

(The Rabbit Hole, was a song she created).

As the night went on, the band went wilder. During the duration of a very high paced song, she told people to take off their shirts like at a Woodstock concert. It was insane, she took off her shirt and waved it like crazy and walked a path through the audience. People can become so enthusiastic in their music.  

However one song reached out to me. 

Florence dramatically reached out while laying on the stage and said ''I want you all to put away your phones. To enjoy a second of your lives with your ears and soul.''

"This song called Third Eye, to me it means we need to take consideration of what we have. On our electronics we are missing out on the world around us. It is not natural in a lifetime to be so active in a different circumstance." Florence stated to the audience.

''Acknowledge one another,'' she said in an announcing voice. 

When the band played and Florence sang it just touched inside and made me realize how much I miss when I am on my phone. The song said ''original lifeline'' as in, it is not natural to live in such absence of the environment we are apart of, and it really made me question. Florence spread out her arms and circled them calmly. The band then quietly skipped off the stage. This is exactly the message I am trying to portray on my blog. Music inspires such a connection inside and with one another. Overall this concert was beyond extraordinary and a chance to really take into depth how music really reflects so many aspects of the world around, and can bring people together.

My Autumn Soundtrack 🍂🌻🍂

  Today I realized life itself should have a soundtrack. Music really reflects our emotion, personal emotions, and at times we are silent, it can yell just how we feel the loudest. Autumn should have a soundtrack, it's such a beautiful and cozy time of the year.(Let me just say it's my favorite season). Unfortunately here in California, the weather always seems hot even now. Luckily, every year I visit this small town in San Diego called Julian, that is very festive for fall. In  addition, the town makes its own cider and has apple orchards everywhere. The three hour night trip, with the stars now visible and air crisp and clean, inspired me to listen to some of my favorite artists. 
 The moon light inspired me to listen to the song "Moonshadow" by folk rock artist Cat Stevens, now named Yusuf Islam. The song has a calm rhythm and really brings perspective on the people around you and how there are so many adventures awaiting. The acoustic guitar has a very distinct role in his album transforming a relaxed vibe. The album is  "Tea For The Tillerman". The song "Moonshadow'' is on a different album, however is still great otherwise. Cat Stevens is an artist I grew up listening to on road trips ,and especially going to Julian.

This is his album Tea For The Tillerman. It consists of songs such as"Wild World" and "Longer Boats". It is one of my favorite albums to listen to in  autumn.

 The next album on this playlist I have developed mentally is by Coldplay,an alternative rock band. Many people are unfamiliar with this band and it's older albums, aside from ''Viva La VIda" or "Mylo Xyloto". The older sound of Coldplay is certainly extraordinary. 

The album I love is called "Parachutes". The album really focuses on showing you how beautiful and ever so delicate life, is even through the consequences that come with our decisions. These seem like pretty soft concepts for a rock band ,am I right? Coldplay does its magic and from "Don't Panic" to " Everything Is Not Lost" you journey through reality and how even with its' downs, things will be okay. The reason I love this album is because I am very passionate about travel ,and the nature of the world which is what this album represents.

This is "Parachutes" by Coldplay. During this month I tend to play it on my record player late at night, light a candle, make some cinnamon tea, and relax to the very soothing sound it has.

The Beatles are my favorite band.  They have such a unique yet odd and classic sound that has caught me for so many years. The Beatles have a brand new sound each album and it is so fascinating, the number of theories and secrets and the sound the make. For these very reasons, the gypsy melody and very philosophical words attract to my taste when it comes to music at different times of the year. I am a strong lover of nature and the album "Rubber Soul has an urban sound that I have listened to in many environments. The weather which is slightly cooler in the evenings encourages me to be outside and listen to this. 

"Rubber Soul" has peaceful songs like "Girl", "Nowhere Man'', "In My Life", as well as "Norwegian Wood". 

To conclude my Autumn playlist,  I will tell a quick  but inspirational story of a man I saw on the streets of Julian. With his old acoustic guitar, the elder man stared off in the distance with bright blues eyes and sang his heart out to ,"Comes A Time''. With my sisters wandering ahead in the cool breeze the enlightening voice grabbed my attention and I turned around. I smiled and realized the man was blind. Music is such a powerful thing. Many people gathered around and enjoyed the fall air as he sang the Neil Young song.  The blind man rocked the guitar and smiled feeling the presence of the listening ears. Because I grew up with his music, and that empowering moment, Neil Young and his" Harvest Moon" is something that reminds me how important the ones you love are, and how music really binds people. Never stop listening to music because it is a language we can all express with.

This album means a lot to me personally because "One Of These Days'' and "Harvest Moon'' are songs that are important to me because I can consider all of these aspects within music.

These are my favorite artists during this time of year. Happy Autumn, stay rocking, and stay consistent because next week I am going to a concert. You will find out the artist next week. Have an amazing week!