is it all about the music?

Nowadays, it seems to be not about the music anymore... I feel like music is a very small aspect of the whole industry. It’s all about the person and interviews and their social media accounts. Before, when none of this was around, ALL it was, was the music. Musicians did some interviews but their lives didn’t revolve around them as much as they do now. Their listeners got to use their imagination of what the band was like and didn’t demand to know every single detail of their life. Now if a musician were to say, keep something a secret and the fans found out... theres a 99% chance they would be MAD. Mad at a person for wanting to keep something private.. it’s ridiculous. I remember someone commented on how John Mayer is a douchebag and they don’t like his music because of that..I mean how ridiculous is that? Whether you like him or not, he is an extememly talented musician..why would you let his “personality” or things you’ve heard of him interfere with his great music? John Bonham..people looked up to him as one of the best drummers in the world, well guess what..he was kind of an asshole! (still love him though and may he rest in peace). Personally I think music should stop being SO associated with the artists who create it and people should just listen to the music because they like it, not because the lead singer is hot. As well, people should still listen to music, even if the lead singer is an ass. I mean it's all about the lead singer, right? Obviously if the artist is nice, it's always a plus but make it about the music because thats all that really matters.

A new start....

About six months ago I made a huge decision, in a very short time. I got offered a job in New Zealand, that's right, New freakin' Zealand! I only had about one or two days to make up my mind if I wanted to take that leap of faith and accept the job. Me, being extremely impulsive, decided in one day and accepted that job.

Fast forwards four months later and I was at the airport saying goodbye to my family and one of my closest friends. I didn't realize how hard it would be to say goodbye to them and unfortunately I couldn't stop the tears from coming. All I kept on thinking was "I cannot believe I am actually doing this. Me. Lyndsay. A person who has never been away from home for more than two weeks, is moving across the world for at least 6 months!" It was just insane. After the first flight to Vancouver, I was no longer upset, I was excited for the new adventure ahead of me.

Now it has been two months since I have been here. Two months may not seem like a long time, though it feels like I have been here for ages! Sadly, the job is not what I had expected. It has been extremely difficult trying to cope with everything and being completely isolated with no one I know around! I have had my days where I feel like I am going crazy, where I cry myself to sleep, where all I wanna do is go to the airport and hop on the first flight back to Canada but I've learned something. In life we all make decisions and even though sometimes we don't like those decisions, we owe it to ourselves to stick it out, whatever situation you may be in, for at least a little bit, to give ourself some time to experience and learn new things.

Last year, I got a tattoo on my arm that says "be positive". I got it to remind myself to try to be positive in all situations, life isn't fair and bad stuff will happen but if I just stay positive, everything will be okay. I will admit that I was not always so positive and I did go through some hard times in my life but don't we all? Well, this journey of mine I have really stuck with that whole "be positive" mind set. It can COMPLETELY change any situation you are in. Although the situation I am in sucks, I am choosing to see the goods things I am gaining from it. For example...I am focusing on myself a whole lot since I've been here, I make sure I wash my face everyday (which I used to be terrible at) I floss! I have also joined a gym, so I can be fit and healthy. I have decided to focus on myself for the next four months I am here. I did not come all the way to New Zealand for a completely shitty experience. I am going to choose the positive route and make the best out of it.

The way we think really does affect us. If we don't think that we are going to achieve something, most likely we won't achieve that thing. Life is all about experiences, good ones AND bad ones. My advice is to just live each day in the present, don't worry about anything else. Focus on making yourself better. If you are in a bad situation, focus on how you can make it better; find a silver-lining! I know, trust me, I know, that sometimes it seems like all there is in your mind is negative thoughts, but if you try really hard, you never know what will come of it. The worlds gives back what you give to the world.

Hope you have a lovely day and enjoy my first blog post about my adventures here in New Zealand.

Lots of love,

Lyndsay xx

T H E 1 9 7 5 // C O N C E R T // L A T E

// this was from October 2013, I just forgot to share it //

So this blog post is a little different than the others ones I have done but I feel like I just need to share the experience I had on the weekend with the world! As the title says, I went to a concert for the 1975 and to say I was excited is an understatement. I expected to have a fantastic time, but my expectations were exceeded, words cannot even explain how great that day/night was and how kind the gentlemen in that band are.

My friend and I arrived around 2:30 to snatch a good spot in line and there were four people in front of us, so we were pretty pleased with ourselves. While we were waiting a black SUV pulled up and right when the boys walked out of the vehicle, we knew it was them from their black oversized outfits. Matty (the lead singer) was kind enough to come over to us, chat, and take pictures after he settled in on his tour bus.

Matty and I 

We learned that the 1975 are going to have a clothing line come out, as we were gushing about his outfit. The band were going back and fourth from the venue to the tour bus pretty much up until 30 minutes before the show and they were the most laid-back band I have ever seen before. During that time, I made friends with a few new people and we were just loving life. When we got in, we made sure all of us we front row and had a good view. Right when the band walked on, the whole room went crazy! The vibe that they brought to the show when they were performing was insane, it was nothing but perfect. Not only was there show amazing, but after the show we also got to meet them again and had the chance to talk to them. 

Andrew McMahon

A lot of you might have never heard of Andrew McMahon but to me, he is one of my favourite artists. He has been in two bands (Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin) and is now making music solo. Aside from being an insanely talented at playing the piano, songwriting and singing, he is an amazing person. A very intelligent man but also he has gone through some traumatic life events that have shaped him into who he is today. When he finished the first record for Jack's Mannequin he got some devastating news and found out he had ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia). With his positive attitude and Andy being the fighter he is, he managed to beat it ! :) Though that's not the main focus, I figured I should mention a little part of his back story since I am educated on it. 

I first started listening to Jack's Mannequin when they appeared on the hit TV show "One Tree Hill". Since I am a pianist, when I saw him playing the piano, I was mesmerized by him. This lead me to research his music and listen to it all! His first band was formed when he was in high school and that was Something Corporate, they definitely had a punk-rock sound to their music. While, when Andrew transitioned into Jack's Mannequin it was a bit more towards punk-pop. Both are fantastic bands with lots of albums, but Andrew decided to go solo after years of being in a band. All his songs are very piano-based and sound so different but yet the same. It is clear to tell the difference between these three musical acts, but thats what is great about them, they each have a different sound. His lyric writing is really incredible and it shows through all his songs. He has only released a few songs during his solo career. They are more pop than usual, but there is no complaining, the songs are brilliant. One of my favourite songs off his new EP "The Pop Underground" is Synesthesia.

I've had the privilege to see him in concert with Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin and while he was touring solo. I also got to meet him one time and he was a very lovely guy! So nice and took the time to meet EVERYONE who was in line. He has a very special place in my heart and I will always admire him. I have two tattoos that are both related to him. One says "Swim" and one says "Be Positive" in his writing. Swim is from his song called "Swim" by Jack's Mannequin, which is a song about never giving up and to swim for your life, even though it may not be the greatest at times. That song has always gotten to people and almost everyone can relate to it. I decided to get "be positive", he also has that tattoo, and we both agree that its nice to have it there on your arm, so when times are hard, you are reminded to be positive:) 

I hope you take the time to explore all his music and realize how magical and talented this man is! Also he has a foundation called "Dear Jack Foundation" that is geared towards helping young adults diagnosed with cancer. Check out this website and see if you can help! xx

-Lyndsay

Ellie Goulding

Lately I have a newfound love for british music. I'm aware a lot of classic rock bands come from the UK but I have found that within the 90's and first few years of the 2000's, people have not focused much on british singers and bands. Bands/singers from the UK are becoming big names here in Canada and America, such as Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, Adele, etc. One singer I am very fond of is Ellie Goulding, her voice is as unique as you can get. Her sound can go from soft, sweet melodies to music that makes you want to get up and dance for forever. With the upbeat music in the background to the slow piano sounds, her music definitely has various styles. She has two albums and one deluxe album, called Halcyon Days. That album (Halcyon Days Deluxe) has recently come out and I can say that I do not regret that purchase at all. One song on that album that I love dearly is "I Know You Care". It is one of her slower songs but it is so incredibly beautiful.

I've found that many of her songs reach to me on a personal level and they are filled with emotion and passion, which is what I love about her music. When I start to really enjoy an artist, I often tend to watch interviews of them so I can get a feel of what they are presumably like in real life. Watching interviews of Ellie Goulding did not disappoint, as she seems like one of the most down to earth girls in the music industry. I only expect more great things to happen to her in the future and for her fan-base to increase a lot! 

-- Lyndsay

The 1975

These past few months I have been listening to a band called the 1975. They are a band from Manchester and they are absolutely brilliant. Ever since I heard their first song, I instantly became hooked. They have a major song out right now called "Chocolate" that everyone has been talking about, which is an amazing song, though that is not the song that made me instantly love them. Their song "The City" was the first song I ever heard by them and I just thought it was absolutely wonderful. There music isn't like a typical Manchester band, it is new and refreshing. There is definitely a rock feel and some people have called them a "guitar band." On their debut album "The 1975" most of the music has a theme of love, sex and drugs. Most of the songs on their EP's are haunting but beautiful. "Girls" is one of my current favourite songs by them, their sound is so lovely, I could listen to them all day.

I'm going to see them in concert in a week and a half and I could not be more ecstatic. I reckon it will be amazing and I will fall even more in love with them than I already am. The band prefers everything in black and white, so the focus is not so much on them but focused on the music and as well, so they are "separated from reality". I really think it is a cool idea how they have done that and now they have made an image for their band. The way they are so passionate about their music and know what they want makes them even more desirable. Safe to say, I think I will be listening to them for a long time.

So I decided to start a blog...

As the title says, I decided to start a blog. I have seen many other people do it and thought it would be a pretty interesting thing to do. I'm not the most eloquent writer/speaker, so bear with me but I do hope you enjoy what I have to say.

I figure I will talk about my thoughts, share some of my opinions and mainly talk about music, as it is my one true passion.

If you do come across my blog and enjoy it, then thank you from the bottom of my heart xx

--Lyndsay