music musings

I love music, and I'm definitely on the edge of many a fandom (just music related, for the purpose of this post!), but I've always felt slightly overwhelmed by it all. Fans that spam my twitter with photos ,edits and tweets in manic capitals, just makes me feel distant from the actual music. I'm not 'shaming' anyone here, as I can't say I've not committed any of the above, but it does make me wonder how music is actually viewed and what fans focus on as they become obsessed. 
From what I've witnessed, it's obviously not all about the music anymore. If one viewed the band as anything other than what they want to see from them, I don't know, stuff like: funny, likable, good looking, would they just slip by unnoticed? 
Well, I'm not sure if its as severe as that, but someone who didn't fit this criteria, even after being judged from snippets of their lives, would be much less likely to appear as someones header or inspire their twitter handle. Simply because of curiosity. This generation of teenage music lovers, want this insight into the lives and thoughts of a band or artist, they want the gossip, they almost appear to admire, or want to admire, the people more than their music. 
I have less of an insight into the One Direction fandom, I admit, but lets use them as an example. There is no denying the fact that they are probably the biggest boy band out there, and who doesn't find them at least a bit attractive, but how much success would they have achieved if they were five 'geeky boys', with shy personalities, a lack of immediate attraction, and no desire to have any personal relation with the public? Now, this is a huge generalization, and I can't predict the future of such a band, but I can almost say they wouldn't quite be at One Direction's standard. I also have no knowledge of the boys personalities, having not sat down with them for a coffee, I am simply basing assumptions on the image they portray of themselves, the image which is projected out into the world, an image gives fans that extra push into becoming obsessed fangirls. It's this image that has maybe given the band an edge, and is liked well enough to create a hit documentary film. 
I could say I was in the 'Bastille' fandom. I am certainly a huge fan of their music, and have been long before their album suddenly hit number one. It's the originality of their songs that caught me, Dan Smith's vocals and talent for songwriting. At first, I was simply admiring their music and was blissfully almost unaware of the band members, now, however, it's a different story. There's almost this pressure, bought unknowingly from twitter I suspect!, to have this obsession with the members, to send them birthday cards and to be so defensive and protective over them. I find myself stuck in this circle of the appreciation of the bands hair, and the love for their new cover, sailing through twitter in this flurry of caps lock and screenshots. I wish I could just take a step back, allow myself to have the capability to be critical of their music, and listen to what they wanted us to hear. 
That's what music used to be, didn't it? What you heard or saw live, was ultimately what you got. Regardless of whether the lead singer was a dick or not, one could still appreciate good music. I suppose it's just the way music is developing, like the internet and TV are, but this time I'm not sure whether it's for the better, turning bands and artists into celebrities changes how you view their music, something which I'm sure is unwanted ( but who knows?!) Why should perusing a career in something you have a talent and passion for, shouldn't make you a celebrity, you should gain fans for your music not for the way you are perceived. 

thoughts on photography

I have heard it said before, that photography causes us to spend more time capturing the moment, then actually living it.
In some ways, this is correct. Spending ages setting up a camera for a perfect shot on the Great Wall of China, for instance, can prevent you from using that time to embrace the stunning surroundings. Absorbing the world around you is maybe a more worthwhile activity, rather than viewing it all from your cameras display screen?
However, this sparks an interesting debate, especially for someone like me who has a passion for all things 'arty'. I love photography, and I love capturing these moments. Anyone can whip out digital camera and snap a picture of the view from their hotel window, but taking a photo of a moment is something else entirely. I'm not saying I have such a talent, but every now and then, you get that perfect image, and viewing it is often incredible.
For me, a moment is an amazing thing. That almost split second where something unrepeatable a felt or done. Does photography stop you from experiencing these?
I don't think so. Capturing such an experience is often a huge achievement, not just from the photographic side of 'getting a good photo', but because of what memories may be attached. For everyone involved, seeing this picture take you back to that moment; allows you to almost re-live it. That's what i find so special about photography, saving and preserving memories.(I'm not saying we don't have the capacity to do this without the aid of an image, but it gives it clearly and untarnished .)
Maybe this re-visiting of photos has more of an impact on me, because I would classify myself as a 'visual' person. I find information easier to gather and process when I can see it in front of me, and photography(and art!)are great portrayals of visual beauty. Although sounds and smells do transport you back to a time you associate with them; seeing images is a much more effective stimulus for me. Basically, photos are great for creating nostalgia!
I also find that these moments are often always consist of people, or human interaction. To demonstrate this, here are some examples of the occasional times I felt I have captured a moment worth saving; and showing:

This is a picture of my mum and brother, and at the time of my taking this, I wasn't expecting to create such a picture. Looking back on it now; it reminds me of that day when everyone in my household became slightly hyper, the stupid face my brother is pulling makes me smile even now!

I took this in the summer, as my friends were playing a rounders game ( I actually used photography as a way to get out of playing, I'm not a sporty person..!!) It does a great job of capturing the urgency and fun of the game for the players.

This photo I actually took on my phone, but it's just such a good representation of my friends. At the time, another friend was trying to swing on a dangerous looking rope..thingy, hence the 'terrified' look and hug! It happened so fast, I was lucky to get it. 

Concerts also bring up issues for me. One one side, its a great photographic opportunity, especially at a smaller gig, however, could it be distracting from the music? 

When I was at a Mcfly concert in April, I didn't take my camera or take any photos whilst they were playing, and I'm not really sure if I regret that or not. It was busy, so I doubt any I did take would have been any good, but now the memories I have are vague. I know that I loved it, and I can remember a few songs, but don't have any lasting reminders, which does sadden me. Even if I had taken crappy photos and videos on my phone, like I did when I saw Bastille, it would have something physical to hold on to from that night. It's always nice to be able to look through them, and be transported back to a time when the only thing that mattered was the band on stage. 

These are a few of my favourite pictures from a smaller gig ('the summer warm up'!):

I do have more photographs that I would say captured a moment, but they're too embarrassing for my friends and family to share online...!

So, I believe, instead of preventing us from living moments, photograpahs allow us to live them all over again, something which writing this and seeing these pictures again, has allowed me to do.