The Evolving Self and Music

I used to think only people who looked like me, the disenfranchised, smeared eye liner, mostly black clothes, bad attitude etc. from back in the day, knew what good music was. For me that was metal and rock, the louder the better. Ozzfest was the only festival that mattered and Metallica was my God. I was perpetually worried about people finding out I was a poser. That I hadn't liked rock and metal since I came out of the womb. Saying it now makes me realize how foolish that sounds but I believed it whole heartedly.

The tide began to shift in college as it does for most people. You expand your friend group and are exposed to new things and for me that included music. I started to listen and appreciate more old school and classic rock. Led Zeppelin became my new favorite band. When someone said the Foo Fighters were bringing back rock I would scoff. No one could bring it back. It could only evolve into something new.

Through the years I've continued to branch out into unknown territory musically. It’s been a mixed bag; sometimes surprising other times boring. Years later I've taken off the musical blinders and seek out new to me music I like no matter what the genre is. I still have a soft spot for music from my teenage years but don't let that hold me back from finding new artists to speak to me. 

I used to think I would never change. Ever. Thankfully for everyone and me this isn’t true. When I was younger I yearned for escape and excitement and found it through music. I could channel all my inner feelings I didn't know how to describe or escape through the pounding beats of metal. I was afraid of being calm; more accurately I didn't know how. I was calm and blase on the surface while frantic underneath. After shoving down my feelings for too long I would explode and everyone would be surprised by the ricochet. 

As an adult I seek out the calm, peaceful and mellow. More chill good vibes. Nothing too morose or boring but relaxing isn't a dirty word for me anymore. I've always enjoyed female singers without tons of distraction or tracks layered on top. Case in point: Nora Jones. Her first album came out when I was in high school and she barely registered as a blip on my musical radar. I wasn't seeking out her style of music. Flash forward and I'm catching up on her greatest hits on Spotify. I'm finally ready for her soothing voice to transport me somewhere else more tranquil. 

I rediscovered Nora Jones from one of my favorite podcasts, Armchair Expert. She sang two songs in this episode and after listening I needed to give her songs another chance. This assumes I remembered them at all through cultural osmosis. I find her voice soothing but not boring. I imagine her songs playing in coffee shops, book stores and other chill places. I don't believe people or musicians can be everything but there is range across albums. Thanks for the curated Nora Jones playlists, Spotify.

This is a friendly reminder for anyone stuck in a box, self imposed or not, expanding and evolving your interests and yourself isn't a bad thing. It's part of life. This is one of many reasons why few adults act like teens. Also why it is easy to spot people stuck in the past who are afraid to change or staunchly refuse to. I still love Metallica but won't be listening to Master of Puppets on full blast before I go to sleep. I think Nora Jones is a better fill in. Good vibes only before bed.