Thought Of The Week

This has been something that has been on my mind for actually, more than a week. So this is going to be a massive ramble about something extremely close to my heart.

As you have probably gathered, music has played and continues to play a massive part in my life. It has everything to do from the lyrics, the melodies, harmonies, rhythms, the work done by my favourite musicians (who I classify as my biggest inspirations in life) and all the pre and post production of my favourite records. All these things have helped give me the music that has shaped my life and it has made my life so much more bearable.

Growing up, I have copped a lot of flack for the types of music I listen to. And while I wish I could've said these comebacks years ago, even days ago, these are some of the best insults I have gotten in terms of my taste in music.

1. Your taste in music sucks.
   Let me just say. this is the most piss weak of an insult you can give anyone ever. I mean, full stop you shouldn't bully anyone about anything and I am completely anti-bullying, but I digress. No one's taste in music is inferior/superior to another. Music is something that is made for everyone to enjoy. Don't belittle something that can mean so much to someone. We all have unique tastes in music, none are identical. That's what makes music so beautiful. You can go through someone's music collection and see the most diverse collection. Even looking through mine-I have everything varying from Bring Me The Horizon to Beyonce and even Adam Lambert. But we all love this music- When words fail, music speaks.
    And I'm sure when we say we "hate" a certain band or artist-I am guilty of saying this about so many bands, particularly Paramore and Ronnie Radke. I'm sure we don't mean it, especially because "hate" is such a strong word. I have the upmost respect for every musician who puts time, effort and dedication in writing their music. When I say I "hate" a certain band, I honestly mean that their music just doesn't appeal to me.  I have tried to get into them, but I just honestly cannot. So
2.  Your favourite band can't even play their instruments. 
   Let me explain to you a thing-Music is not always necessarily about the instrument, nor necessarily the lyrics. They can complement each other, but are separate entities. They work together and separately to make you feel all these different emotions. That's the beauty of music, you can listen to something completely instrumental or a capella and they will have varying effects on how you feel. And seriously, this insult I got was in reference to one of the biggest rock bands in the world-a band that have smashed world records, have experimented with music in many different ways. And many bands just have varying ways in which they play their instruments-so they can play their instruments, but just in a different way in which you may think instruments should be played. 
3. "I have a diverse taste in music"
   And I don't? This was in reference to me disapproving to a festival line up, and saying it simply wasn't my thing and all of a sudden hell broke loose with someone really badly attempting to make fun of my taste in music. We can't all agree on everything, and while I love supporting the Australian music scene, you just have to pick the places and shows you really want to go to. And my taste in music is very diverse thank you very much, it's just diverse across selectively one or two genres, but I will gladly listen to other genres, just some more than others.
4. Why do like Kurt Cobain so much? He killed himself, he's not a good role modeI was honestly really confused about this. I don't know if it was an insult or just a blunt statement in disapproval of one of my favourite bands. For me, the people I look up to are those who push boundaries while doing minimal harm to others. Music has introduced me to the most amazing musicians who I have looked up to form a young age, one being Mr. Cobain over here. Why do I look up to certain musicians?
   From about the age of nine, I have looked up to Billie Joe Armstrong. Green Day were probably the first bands I got into which introduced me to pretty much all my favourite bands. For a nine year old girl who had been picked on for a good portion of their school years, Billie Joe kind of gave me some courage to stand up for myself and to not feel scared to express myself by whatever means necessary.
   Gerard Way gave me the ability to express myself and be proud of it
   Austin Carlile made me realise that whatever goes on, it does get better.
   Mark Hoppus gave me this talent to be able to dream big.
   Jared Leto let me see outside the box and to not feel afraid to push boundaries in achieving what I want.
   Freddie Mercury's ambition has helped me make some powerful decisions that have changed my life for the better.
   Courtney Love has helped me not give a stuff about anyone's negativity towards me.
   And of course, Kurt Cobain made me realise that it's okay being me. We all know his quote "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not". It's been made so generic over the years but it kind of made me realise that being me is not so bad after all.
   They've all done some pretty goofy things in their lives, but I don't look at them any differently. Regardless of all their mistakes, they have changed my life and I am eternally grateful for that.

So yes, please think twice before you insult someone on their taste of music.
Have a nice weekend!