Music has always provided a thread of connection for people in society, through all cultures, from time immemorial. Music has the ability to fascinate and captivate that distinguishes it from other forms of communication, such as visual art or the written word.
At no time in the history of the world has music been so all pervasive as it is today, but do we realise the extent to which music influences life? From the shopping malls to the sporting arenas, from hospitals and care homes, cars, workplaces and headphones plugged in 24/7 – life becomes the background and music is the foreground. If we identify life by the music we choose to listen to, are we influenced by that music to live and move in a particular way? And is that always healthy?
Music has the ability to lift and inspire . . . or even distract and manipulate, no matter the sound or genre.
Are we playing the music or is the music playing us?
The mosh pit of life
I once believed that a 'mosh pit' was the best place to be, but bruised and worn out after each concert I began to question how is the mosh pit like everyday human life?
The first time I heard my favourite band
The day that music changed my life, my friends and my whole world view. Read how Simon's life changed when, as a teenager, he discovered his favourite band.
In search of harmony – finding 'the real thing'
Singers and performers often talk of the momentary high and come down after a performance. Is there a way of singing and performing that leaves us feeling whole: what is the 'x-factor' that makes all the difference?
The music app your child uses that could be more dangerous than you think
Do your children use music apps? – They could be more dangerous than you think.
What's in a tune?
For professional musician Catherine Wood the concept of energetic truth in music was just too fascinating. 'There was a whole lot more to music than I had realised' she shares.
Signed, sealed, delivered . . . I'm yours – what more proof do we need to know about the effects of music?
With every cell of our body affected by an unremitting soundtrack, how long are we going to accept the imposition of music as part and parcel of everyday retail, or in fact everyday life?
Plato's 'The Allegory of the Cave' and music
What happens when we ignore the energetic interplay in music – and life itself? As in the allegory of Plato's Cave, our current global state of play can now only be described as grand scale illusion and chaos, and this is reflected in music today.
The train wreck we call 'art': music and our responsibility as a global family
Defending music at all costs as the reality of a life is ignored – how did this become ok? On Mary Forsberg's letter about the life and death of rock star Scott Weiland.
Touring the world as a musician
After touring the world for 9 summers back to back, musician Simon Asquith realises that life as a musician is not all it's cracked up to be - there is definitely more to life and to music.
Musical responsibility
Ever considered the impact that certain music, artists and their behaviours have on society, and is there such a thing as 'musical responsibility'?