Today is a Saturday. I spent it in one of my favourite ways - dancing in the studios of my gym, followed by a long walk home accompanied by my iPod. The perfect mind set now for some writing after a period of non stop work and life events! I find myself curled up in the unfamiliar bedroom I have just moved into, of the new flat I have just (temporarily) moved to. This is my Saturday setting.
My body is a cage, that keeps me from dancing with the one I love. But my mind holds the key.
Peter Gabriel
I love to write, as you may have gathered during this journey. But I also love to listen. I love to hear other people's ideas. I like to catch chunks of conversations as I walk about my day, hearing how other people live. I enjoy turning over ideas with my amazing best friends. I like hearing my family members laugh. And, so very much, I love to listen to music.
What is your favourite piece of music? What lyrics strike the centre of your chest open, or bring about a change in your body that you can physically feel?
It's been a long time coming. But I know a change is gonna' come.
Maverick Sabre
Without musical notes and lyrics I would not be dancing as I am today. This, I can categorically state. I would not have survived life's chapters thus far, or be living life in the manner in which I endeavour to. In moments of imagination, lyrics have provided infrastructure and clarity. In moments of deafening sadness, musical lyrics have seeped in and swept me away long enough to find my feet again. Music has lifted my soul to levels of happiness and strength of indescribable power more times than I can ever count. From beats, melodies, instrumentals and rhythms I find where my thoughts and truths are usually hiding. From lyrical poetry, I find my way forwards.
Keep your head up, keep your heart strong. Keep your mind set, keep your mind whole. Embrace the darkness in which you swim.
Ben Howard
My early childhood was filled with Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Queen, T-Rex and Michael Jackson because of my father's input of musical passion. I vividly remember being hoisted on to his shoulders at festivals, to look out over the crowds of rockers and hearing the pulse of the music and atmosphere that surrounded me. Within a differing genre altogether, I first learnt the beauty of classical music from my Mother, who I can clearly recall steadily listening to Vivaldi, Beethoven and Bach whilst she did the ironing. The experience of aimlessly, freely spinning around the room to the ebb and flow of the musical notes that filled my childhood are moments amongst memories that I not only treasure, but that have formed the dancer and person that I am.
I'm starting with the man in the mirror. No message could have been any clearer.
Michael Jackson
For all of these reasons, plus hundreds more that I am sure you are mentally adding in yourselves as you read this from your own musical experiences, I feel music is somewhat magical! I am a firm believer in the brilliance of life without the need for make believe. Yet I feel that 'magical' is really rather a fitting description for such a fairytale element of human life experience. Rhythmical euphoria - the kind that I can physically feel as I type, with music surrounding me in this very moment as I speak to you.
You don't have to be in the army, to fight in the war.
George Ezra
Throughout this blog entry I have scattered significant lyrical slices from some of the songs that I adore. At differing times, for different reasons, I have found the lyrics and sounds of each piece of music or song to be leading in some way. Whether they were leading my back to my correct path, or encouraging me to leave the one of safety I was gripping on to in favour of the unknown. They are just a small sample of the massive assortment of music that I have been fortunate enough to have come across so far!
All the wild horses, tethered with tears in their eyes. May no man's touch ever tame you. May no man's reign ever chain you. And may no man's weight ever defray your soul. As for the clouds? Let them roll...
Ray LaMontagne
But these are just a few chunks of my musical journey. Everyone has their own. I would love to hear what yours are - feel free to leave comment below on the music that sends your heart into a spin, makes you laugh, or that has been a significantly present in specific moments of your own lives. The details of each person and piece of music are the details that I am fascinated by, and what I hope to fill the rooms of Liberty's with.
There will come a time, you'll see. With no more tears. And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears. Get over your hill and see what you find there.
Mumford & Sons
Undoubtedly, music has been a very significant friend to me in my life. So now - a little less from me and a little more of the sounds of the men and women I have come to adore. Below you will find links to a minuscule selection of musical masteries that have been so very significant to the journey of Liberty's.
I look forward to hearing your musical ideas! Now, or within the studios of the Liberty's of the future.
HV.
X.
Ray LaMontagne - Burn
Imogen Heap - Hide & Seek
London Grammar - Strong
Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing
Labbi Siffri - Something Inside
Ludovico Einaudi - Fairytale
George Ezra - Budapest
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now